The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-10-04
CHAPTER xv-centlnved.

IT.
The FIRST Of April In the Mount
Mark parsonage was q time Of trial
and tribuiation. frequently to the ex-
tent Of weeping and gnashing Of teeth.
The twins were NO respecters Of per
sons. and feeling that the Arst Of
April rendered all things justinable to
all men. they made life a. burdensome
to their father as to Connie, and Fairy
and Prudence lived In Q state Of per-
petual anguish until the twins fell
asleep at night well satisfied but worn
out with the days activities. The twins
were bordering closely to the nrst
stage Of grown-up wonanhood, but on
the first Of April they swore they
would always be youngi The tricks
were more dignified. more carefully
planned and scientifically executed
than In the days Of their rollicking
girlhood-but they were all the more
heartbreaking on that account.
The week before the first was spent
by Connie in vain effort to ferret
out their plans In order that fore
knowledge might suggest q suficient
safeguard. The twins, however. were
too clever to permit this, and their
bloody schemes were wrapped in mys-
tery and buried in secrecy. On the
thirty-nrst Of March Connie labored
like q plumber would IL working by
tho job. She painstakingly hid from
sight all her cherished possessions.
The twins were In the barn. presum-
ably deep in plots. Aunt Grace was
at the Ladies' Aid. So when Fairy
came in. about four In the afternoon
there was only Prudence to note the
vengeful glitter In her flne. clear eyes,
And Prudence was 10 intent upon
feather-stitching the hens of pink
checked dish towels that she did not
observe It.
"Where's papa7" Fairy asked.
upstairs"
where are the twinsr
I'm the barn. getting ready for THE
DAY"
Fairy smiled delightedly and skipped
eagerly up the stairs. She was clos
eted with her father for some time,
and came out Of his room at last with
small coin carefully concealed in the
corner Of her handkerchief. She did
not remove her hat. but set briskly
out toward town again.
Prudence, startled out Of her feath-
er-stitching, followed her to the door.
"Why, Fairy" she called. "Are you
going out again7'
Fairy threw up her hands. $50 1t
Al
lifted her brows and pursed up her
lips. and the wicked joy in her face
pierced the mantle Of Prudence's ab-
sorption again.
whats up?" she questioned curl
ously, following her sister down the
steps.
Fairy looked about hurriedly, and
then whispered few words Of ex-
PLANTATION. Prudence's look changed to
one of unnaturally sp!teful glee.
"Good! Fine! Serves 'em right
You'd better hurry"
'sTell Aunt Grace. will you7 But
don't let Connie In until morning.
Shed give It away"
At suppertime Fairy returned. and
the twins. their eyes bright with the
unholy light Of mischief, never looked
nt her. They sometimes looked heav-
onward with a sublime contentment
casienally they uttered cryptic words
about the morrow-and the older men,
5ers Of the family smiled pleasantly,
but Connie shuddered. She remem-
bered so many April FOOLS days.
The family usually clung together
on occasions Of this kind, feeling
there was safety and sympathy in
numbers-as SO many towards have
felt for 10 these many years. And thus
1t happened that they were all In the
dining room when their father ap-
peared at the door. He had his hands
behind him suggestively.
ssTwins," he said, without preamble,
"what do you want more than any
thing else?"
"Silk stockings" was the prompt
and unanimous answer.
He laughed. "Good guess, wasn't
itr' And tossed into their eager hands
two slender boxes, nicely wrapped.
The others gathered about them with
smiling eyes as the twins tremulously
tore of the wrappings.
"A. Phoole's Pure Silk Thread
ose-0uaranteedI This they read
from the box-neat golden lettering.
It was enough for the twins. With
cries Of perfect bliss they flung them
selves upon their father, kissing him
rapturously wherever their lips might
touch.
"Oh, papar" "Oh, you dsrlingl"
And then, when they had some sort OF
control Of their Joy, Lark said SOL
emnly, "Papa, It is a gift from heav-
enl'
"Of course We give you the credit,
papa" Carol amended quickly, ''but
the thought was heaven-prompted."