The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-04-19

cried about it, wouldn't have cared so
much. But she looked so-heartsick
didn't she, Fairyi'
Connie certainly was heartsick. More
than that she was little disguised.
She felt herself aroused to take action.
| Things had gone too far Go to church
in her fathers coat she could not She
walked sturdily down the street toward
the ''city"-ironically so called. Her
face was stony, her hands were
clenched. But finally she frightened.
Her tagging steps quickened. She
skipped along quite cheerfully. She
turned westward as she reached the
corner OF the square, and walked along
that business street with shining eyes.
In front of the First National bank she
/ paused, but after a few seconds she
! passed by. On the opposite corner was
| another bank. When she reached 1t,
! she walked in without pausng, and the
massive door swung behind her.
The four older girls were at the
table when Connie came home. She
I y
/ pore. Prudence glanced at her once,
and then looked away again. "She has
reconciled herself" she thought. Din
ner was half over before Constance
burst her bomb.
Are you going to be busy this after
noon. Prudence?" she asked quietly.
1--WE are going to sew little" said
Prudence. "Why?"
II wanted you to go downtown with
me after school,"
well, perhaps can do that. Fairy
will be able to finish the coat alone"
You needn't finish the coat-I can't
wear father's coat to church, Pru-
dence. It's Ats a-physical impos-
sibillty"
The twins laughed, Fairy smiled, but
Prudence gazed at "the baby" with
tender pity.
I'm so sorry, dearest, but we haven't
the money to buy one now"
"Will five dollars be enough?" in
quired Connie. and she placed crisp
new bill beside her plate. The twins
gasped! They gazed at Connie with
new respect. They were just wishing
they could handle five-dollar bills so
recklessly.
will you loan me twenty dollars un-
til after Christmas, ConuieT" Queried
Fairy.
But Prudence asked where did you
get this money, CONNER"
x borrowed it-from the bank" Con
ME replied with proper gravity. II
have two years to pay 1t back. Mr..
Harold says they are proud to have my
trade"
Prudence was silent for several long
seconds. Then she inquired in low
voice, Did you tell him why you want
ed it?"
Yes, I explained the whole situa.
ton"
what did he say?'
HE said he knew just how felt
because he knew he couldn't go to
church in his wifes coat.-No said
that myself, but he agreed with me- He
did not say very much, but he looked
sympathetic. He said he anticipated
great pleasure in seeing me in my new
coat at church next Sunday"
go on with your luncheon, twins,
said Prudence sternly. you'll be late
to school. Well see about going dowr
town when you get home tonight, Con
ME. Now, eat your luncheon, ant
don't talk about coats any more"
When Connie had gone back tt
school, Prudence went straight to Mr.
Harold's bank. Flushed and embar
rassed, she explained the situation
frankly. "My .sympathes are all will
Connie" she said candidly. But an
afraid father would not like it. We ar,
dead set against borrowing. After
our mother was taken, We were crowd
ed pretty close for money. So we hat
to go in debt. 1t took US two years t,
get it paid. Father and Fairy and
talked it over then, and decided w,
would starve rather than borrow again
Even the twins understood it, but Con
ME was too little. She doesn't know
how heartbreaking it Is to keep hand
ing over every cent for debt. when on,
Is just yearning for other things. l d.
wish she might have the coat, but In
afraid father would not like 1t. Sh,
gave me the five dollars for safekeep
ing, and have brought It back"
Mr.. Harold shook his head. "No
Connie must have her coat. This vii
be q good lesson for hee. It will taacl