Iron County record. [volume] (Cedar City, Utah) 1893-1982, 1918-01-25
CHAPTER v.
Substitution.


The twins came In at dinner-time
wrapped In unwonted silence. Lark's
face was darkened by an anxious
shadow. while Carol wore an express
sion of heroic determination.
whats up?" Connie asked, when
the rest of the family dismissed the
matter with amused glances.
Lark sighed and looked at Carol,
seeming to seek courage from the Spar
tan countenance.
Carol squared her shoulders.
"Well, go on" Connie urged. Don't
be silly. You know you're crazy to tell
us about 1t, you only want to be
coaxed."
Lark sighed again, and gazed appeal
ingly at her stout-hearted twin. Carol
never could resist the appeal Of those
pleading eyes.
"Larkie promised to speak a piece
at the Sunday-school concert two
weeks from tomorrow" she vouch-
safed. as unconcernedly as possible.
Mercy" calculated Connie, with an
astonishment that was not altogether
complimentary.
Careful. Larkie," cautioned Fairy.
you'll disgrace the parsonage II you
don't watch out"
Nonsense" declared their father.
Lark can speak as well as anybody II
she Just keeps good grip on herself
and doesn't get stage fright"
Aunt Grace smiled gently.
Gamma frownaI SeIrxy v>,,.t
ness" she said. Lark can't speak any
more than rabbit. and"
~ know It," was the humble admis-
sion.
Don't be goose. Con-" interrupted
Carol. "Of course Lark can speak a
piece. She must learn 1t, learn II.
learn II, SO she can rattle 1t Off back
wards with her eyes shut. That's the
whole secret. OF course she can
speak,"
How did it happenr inquired
Fairy.
II don't know" Lark said SORROW
fully. Nothing was ever farther from
my thoughts, assure. you. The first
thing l knew, Mrs. Curtiss was thank
ing me for my promise, and Carol was
marching me Off like grim DEATH"
! Carol smiled. relieved now that the
family commentary was over. at was
very natural. Mrs. Curtiss begged her
to do IL, and Lark refused. That al
ways happens. every time the Sunday
school gives an entertainment. But
Mrs. Curtiss went on to say how badly
the Sunday school needs the money,
and how big drawing card 1t would
be for both Of US twins to be on the
program. one right after the other. and
how well Il would look for the par
sonage. and 1t never occurred to me to
warn Lark, for never dreamed Of her
doing It."
~ thought 1t wouldn't hurt me to try
II once" Lark volunteered In her own
defense.
Aunt Grace nodded, with a smile Of
interested approval.
"rm proud of you, Lark, quite proud
of you," her father said warmly. TITS
big thing for you to make such a
plunge-just fine"
I'm proud of you now, too" Connie
said darkly. 1.-THE question is, will we
be proud of you after the concert?"
Lark sighed dolorously.
"Oh, pooh I" encouraged Carol. "Any-
body can speak silly little old piece
like that. And 1t will look so nice to
have our names right together on the
program. It'll bring out all the high
school folks, sure"
Eyes, they'll come to hear Lark, all
right" Fairy smiled. "But she'll make
It go, of course. And II will give Carol
n chance to show her cleverness by
telling her how to do IT,"
So as soon as supper was over, Carol
said decidedly, "Now Connie, youll
have to help me with the dishes the
next two weeks, for Lark's got to prac-
tice on that piece. Lark, you must
read II over, very thoughtfully first to
get the meaning. Then just read 1t
and read IL and read 1t, dozen times,
a hundred times, over and over and
over And pretty soon you'll know It,"
I'm bet ! don't" was the dlscourag-
ing retort, as Lark, with pronounced
distaste, took the slip of paper and sat
down In the corner to read the "bloom-
ing thing" as she muttered GROSSLY to
herself.
Connie and Carol did up the dishes
In dreadful silence, and then Carol re-
turned TO the charge. "How many
times did you read it1"
Fourteen and half" was the pa
tent answer. "Its silly thing, Carol.
There's no sense to it, The wind went
drifting DER the lea"