Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-17
SUNNY>SIOPES
~ ETHEL HUESTON aI
.,AxtAo Of Rudence Of the v~ona&e,
Rudence Saws 50. Q
v-ieht 1917, The Bohbs- N.--:,i Company

ested eyes from the sheltering cur.
tains OF many windows.
| Being born and bred in the ministry,
Carol acquitted herself properly before
Z, the public eye. But once inside the
guarding doors of the darling manse,
secure from the condemning witness
of even the least of the fold, she
danced and sang and exulted as the
| very young, and very glad, must do to
find expression.
| Their first dinner In the manse was
more of social triumph than a cul-
i mary success. The coffee was nee
tar, though trifle overlooked. The
gravy was sweet as honey, but rather
inclined to be lumpy. And the steak
tasted like fried chicken, though Carol
had peppered 1t twice and sailed it not
at all. 1t, wasn't her fault, however,
for the salt and pepper shakers In her
perfectly irresistible kitchen cabinet
were exactly alike-and how was she
to know she was getting the same ono
twice?
Anyhow, although the started very
properly with plates on opposite sides
of the round table, by the time they
reached dessert their chairs were just
half way round from where they began
the meal, and the salad dishes were
80 close together that half the time
they ate from one and half the time
from the other. And when 1t was all
over, they pushed the dishes back
and clasped their hands promiscuously
together and talked with youthful pas.
sion of what they were going to do,
and how wonderful their opportunity
fof service was, and what revolutions
they were going to work in the lives of
the nice, but no doubt prosy mansers.
and how desperately they loved each
other. And 1t was going to last forever
and ever and ever.
So far they we're just Everybride
and Everygroom. Their hearts sang
and the manse was more gorgeous
than any mansion on earth, and all
the world was good and sweet, and
they couldn't possibly ever make any
kind Of mistake or blunder, for love
was guiding them-and could pure love
lead astray?
David at last looked at his watch
and said, rather hurriedly:
"By the way, imagine few of our
young people will drop In tonight for.
first smile from the manse lady"
Carol leaned from her chair. jerked
of the big kitchen apron, and flew up
the stairs with never word. When
her already painstakingly busting her
matchless skin with velvety powder.
II got brand new box of powder,
David, the very last thing did" she
began. as he entered the room. when
this is gone, I'll resort to cheaper
kinds. You see, fathers had such a
lot Of experience with girls and COM
plexious that he Just naturally expects
them to be expensive-and would very
likely be confused and hurt II things
were changed. But I can imagine
what a shock it would be to you right
at the start"
David assured her that any powder
which added to the wonder Of that
most wonderful complexion was well
worth any price. But Carol shook her
head sagely.
TITS dollar box my dear, and
very tiny boxes at that Now don't
talk any more for must AK my hair
and dress, and-I want to look per-
fectly darling or they won't like me.
and then they will not put anything in
the collections and the heathens and
we will starve together. Oh, will you
buckle my slippers? Thanks. Here's
half kiss for your kindness. Oh.
David, dear, do run along and don't
bother me, for suppose some one
should get here before am all fixed,
and Shall I wear this little gray
thing? 1t makes me look very, very
sensible. you know, and-er-well,
pretty, too. One can be pretty as we'll
as sensible, and think it's Christian
duty to do It. David. shall never be
ready. l can not be talked to, and
make myself beautiful all at once.
Dear, please go and say your prayers.
and ask God to make them love me.
will you? For 1t is very important and
- If / act old, and dignifled, they will
think ! am appropriate at least. won't
they? Oh. this horrible dress. never
can reach the hooks. VIII you try,
David, there's my nice old boy. Oh,
are you going down? Well, suppose
one Of us ought to be ready for them
: run along-it's lonesome without
you--but have to powder my face.
and Oh, that was just the prelimin-
airy. The conclusion is always the
same. Bye, dearest" Then solemnly.
to her mirror. she said. Isn't he the
blessedest old thing that ever was?
My. am glad Prudence got married
so long ago. or he might have wanted
her instead OF me. don't suppose the
mansers could possibly object to a
complexion like mine. ! can get GER
tiflcate from father to prove 1t is gen.
uine, if they don't believe it."
Then she gave her full attention to
tucking up tiny. straying curls with in
visible hair pins, and was quite start
led when David called suddenly:
Hurry up, Carol, am waiting for
YOU"
ooh, bless its heart. forgot all
about it. am coming"
Gaily she ran down the stairs, part
ed the curtains into the living room
and said:
why are you sitting in the dark,
David? Headache, or Just plain senti-
ment? Where are you?"
"Over here" he said, in a curious,
quiet voice.
She CROPPED her way into the center
IF tho room and clutChed his arms.