The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-06-21
CHAPTER I.
-
The ChapAroA.

SLICE ulSCdIucO tuelu dS uuut IOE oexv-
ice. There was open anxiety In Pru-
dence's expression, and FUCKERS Of
worry perpendicularly creased her
white forehead.
"Girls!" she called again. Girls,
are you deafr
A door opened In the hallway above.
and Connie started down the stairs.
fully dressed, except that she limped
along In one stocking foot, her shoe
In her hand.
TITS 30 silly Of you to get all dressed
before you put on your shoes. Connie" :"
Prudence reproved her a. she came
down. 1T wrinkles you up %. But
you do look nice. Wasn't 1t dear Of the
Ladies' Aid to give you that dress for
your birthday Do be careful. dear.
and don't get mussed before we come
back. Aunt Grace will be 30 much
siadder to live with US II we all look
sweet and clean. And you'll be good,
won't you. Connie, and-rwins. will
.you comer
'They are sewing up the holes In
each others gtochngs." Connie vouch-
safed. They're all dressed"
The twins, evidently realizing that
Prudence's patience was near the
breaking point. started downstairs for
approval, a curious procession. All
dressed az Connie had said. and most
charming. but they walked close to-
eether. Carol stepping gingerly on one
foot and Lark STOPPING low, carrying
needle with great sslicitude-the
thread reaching from the needle to a
small hole on Carols instep.
"What on earth are you doingf
'T'm sewing up the holes In Carols
stocking" Lark explained.
Prudence frowned disapprovingly.
ats a very bad habit to sew up holes
in your stockings when you are wear
ing them. Mercy, Lark, you have too
much powder on!'
IT know H-Carol did 1t. She said
she wanted me to be Of Intellectual
pallor." Lark mopped her face with
one hand.
"You look nice, twins" Prudence
advanced a step. her eyes ON Carols
hair. smiling suspiciously. "Carol. did
you curl your hairr'
Carol blushed. "Well. Just a little. :"
she confessed. II thought Aunt Grace
would appreciate me more with
crown Of frlzzy ringlets."
you'll spoil your hair If you don't
leave 1t alone, and 1t will serve you
right, too. Oh. Fairy, I know Aunt
Grace will love you," she cried &C.
statically. you look like a dream,
you"
"Yes-a nightmare" said Carol snip
PLY. "1f saw Fairy coming at me
on a dark night I'd"
Papa, we'll miss the train!" Then
as he came slowly down the stairs, she
said to her sisters again anxtously !:
"Oh. girls, do keep nice and clean,
won't you7 And be very sweet to
Aunt Gracel It's so awfully good Of
her-to come-and take care Of US"
Prudence's voice broke little. The
admission Of another to the parson-
age mothering hurt her.
Mr.. Starr stopped on the bottom
step. and with one foot as pivot,
slowly revolved for his daughters in
gpectfon.
"How do look1' he demanded. "Do
you think this suit will convince Grace
that l am worth taking care Oft Do
I look twenty-five dollars better than
I did yesterday"
The girls gazed at him with most
adorfng approval.
"Fatheri You look perfectly grand !
Isn't II beautifulfOf course you
looked nicer than anybody else even
In the old suit, but-it-well, 1t was"
Perfectly disgracefully shabby"
put in Fairy quickly. ENTIRELY un-
worthy a minister Of your-er-lovely
family!"
II hope none Of you have let 1t out
among the members how long wore
that old suit. I don't believe I could
face my congregation on Sundays II
] thought they were mentally calculat-
1ng the wearing value Of my various
ynrments.-Wen have to 60, Pru-
dence,"
"And don't muss the house up"
begged Prudence, as her father opened
the door and pushed her gently out on
the step.
The four sisters left behind looked
at once another solemnly. 1t was
serious business-most serious. Con-
ME gravely put ON her shoe, and but
toned It. Lark sewed up the last hole
IN Carols stocking-Carol balancing
herself on one foot with nice precidon
for the purpose. Then. all ready. they
looked at one another again-even
more solemnly.
WELL" said Fairy, "let's 20 in-and
wait"
Silently the others followed her in.
and thav AT 49, ~psont irreprO0chab1y
% the well-dusted chairs, their hands
folded In their smooth and spodess
lapa.
The silence and the solsmnity were
very 0ppeeoa1vo,