Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-01-04

lines than that. The imprint Of a
dainty foot for instance. When you
say, The wind went drifting DER the
lea you must kind of let your voice
glide along, very rhythmically, very"
"Windily," suggested Connie, who re-
manned to witness the exhibition.
"You keep still, Constance Starr, or
you can get out Of here! It's no laugh
ing matter can tell you, and you have
to keep out or won't help and then"
"I'll keep still. But it ought to be
windily, you know, since it's the wind
I meant it for joke" she informed
them. The twins had a very disheart-
ening way of failing to recognize Con-
MES jokes--it took the life out Of
them.
"Now read it aloud, Lark, so l can
see if you get the proper expression"
Carol continued, when Connie was ut
terly subdued.
Lark obediently but unhappily read
the quaint poem aloud and Carol said
it was very good. you must read it
aloud often, very often. That'll give
you q better idea of the accent. Now
put it away, and don't look at it again
tonight. If you keep it up too long
you'll get so dead sick Of it you can't
speak it at all"
By the evening of the Sunday-schoOl
concert-they were concerning for the
sake of a hundred-dOllar subscription
to church repairs-Lark had mastered
her recitation so perfectly that the
minds of the parsonage were nearly at
peace. She still felt deep resentment
toward the situation, but this was par
TALLY cOunter-balanCed by the salts
faction of seeing her name in print, di-
rectly beneath Carols on the program.
Recitation ................ Miss Carol Starr.
Recitation ................ MISS Lark starr.
1t looked very well indeed, and the
whole family took a proper interest in
it. No one gave Carols recitation a
second thought. She always recited,
and did it easily and well. 1t was quite
commonplace occurrence for her.
On the night of the concert she SUI
perintended Lark's dressing with ma
ternal care. "You look all right" she
said, "just fine. Now don't get scared,
Lark. It's so silly. Remember that
you know all those people by heart,
you can talk blue streak to any of
them. There's no use"
"But can't talk blue streak to the
whole houseful at once" Lark pro-
tested. at makes me have such a
hollow feeling-to see so many white
faces gazing up, and it's hot, and"
"Stop that" came the stern COM
mand. 'You don't want to get cold
feet before you start. If you do acct
dentally forget once or twice, don't
worry. I know the piece as well as
you do, and I can prompt you from be-
hind without anyone noticing it. But
you won't forget" She kissed her.
you'll do fine, Larkie, just as fine as
you look, and it couldn't be better than
that"
Just then Connie ran in. FAIRY
wants to know if you are getting stage
fright, Lark? My, you do look nice
Now, for goodness sake, Lark, remem-
Der the parsonage, and don't make a
fizzle of it."
"Who says fizzle?" demanded their
father from the doorway. "Never say
die, my girl. Why, Lark, never saw
you look so sweet. You have your hair
fixed new way, haven't your"
"Carol did it," was the shy reply.
ut does look nice, doesn't it? I'm not
scared, father, not a bit-yet But
there's hollow feeling Have the
boys Gomez"
mo, but they'll be here in a minute.
Jim's late. I do get sore at Jim-Td
forty times rather go with him than
Hartley-but he always puts off ask
ing us until the last minute and then I
have date and you get him. I be-
lieve he does it on purpose. Come on
down."
And Grace looked at the pale sweet
face with gratifed delight, and kissed
her warmly. Her father walked around
her, nodding approval.
aunt Grace" he said solemnly, "it's
wretched business, having a parson-
age full of daughters. Just as soon as
they reach the age of beauty, grace
and charm, they turn their backs on
their fathers and smile on fairer lads"
you've got me, father" said Connie
consolingly.
"And me-when Babbie's in Chica-
co." added Fairy.
eyes, that's some help. Connie, be
an old maid. Do! l implore you"
ooh, Comics got beau already"
said Carol. 'It's the fat Allen boy.
They don't have dates yet, but they've
got an awful case on. He's going to