The state herald., 1918-03-29
CHAPTER xv-contInued.

Mark parsonage was a time Of trial
and tribulation. frequently to the ex.
tent Of weeping and gnashing Of teeth
The twins were no respecters Of per.
sons, and feeling that the first Of
April rendered all things justifable to
all men, they made life as burdensome
to their father as to Connie, and Fairy
and Prudence lived In 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 first
stage Of grown.up womanhood, but on
the first Of April they swore they
would always be youngl The tricks
were more dignifed. 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 a sufficient
safeguard. The twins. however, were
too clever to permit this, and their
bloody schemes were wrapped in mys-
terry and buried in secrecy. On the
thirty-hrst Of March Connie labored
like a plumber would II working by
the 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 fine, clear eyes.
And Prudence was 80 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
''In 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 ut last with
n 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 againf"
Fairy threw up her hands. $50 II
seems. An errand for papa" She
lifted her brows and pursed up her
lips, and the wicked Joy in her face
pierced the mantle Of Prudence's ab-
sorption again.
"what's 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"
"Tell Aunt Grnce. will youi But
don't let Connie In until morning.
She'd give It away"
At suppertime Ferry returned. and
the twins. their eyes bright with the
unholy light Of mischief. never looked
at her. They sometimes looked heav.
enwnrd with sublime contentment
that drove Connie nearly frantic. DC.
casionnily they uttered cryptic words
about the morrow-and the older mem.
bers OF the family smiled pleasantly.
but Connie shuddcred. She remem.
bered 80 many April Fools days.
The family usually clunr together
on occasions Of this kind. feeling
there was safety and sympathy In
numbers-as 80 many towards have
felt for 10 these many years. And thus
II happened that they were all In the
dining room when their father np-
pcared nt the door. He had his hands
behind him suggestively.
"Twins." he said. without preamble,
"what do you want more thnn any
thing elsef'
"Silk stockings" wns the prompt
nnd unanimous answer.
He laughed. "Good guess. wasn't
III" And tossed into their eager hands
two slender boxes. nicely wrapped.
The others gathered about them with
smiling eyes ns the twins trcmulously
tore OF the wrappings.
"A. Phoole's Pure silk Thread
Hose-Gunrantcedl" This they read
from the box-ncnt golden lettering.
II 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. pnpnf I" "Oh. you dfrling I"
And then. when they had some sort OF
control Of their Joy, Lark said sol.
EMMY, "Pnpn, Il IN n gift from hcnv.
eni"
"of course we give you the credit.
pnpn." Carol amended quickly. "but
the thought was hcnvcn.promptcd."
Fniry choked suddenly, and her NJ
of coughing intcrfcrcd with the twins