The Taney County republican., 1918-03-21

stage or ErOWn-up wOmNnhOOd, but on
the first Of April they swore they
would always be young! The tricks
were more dignified, more carefully
planned and scientifically executed
than in the days of their roIllcking
girlhood-but they were all the more
henrtbreaking on that account.
The week before the first was spent
by Connie in n vain effort to ferret
out their plans in order that fore
knowledge might suggest 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 plumber would If working by
the Job. She palnstakingly hid from
sight all her cherished possessions.
The twins were In the barn, presum-
ably deep In plots. Aunt Grace was
Mt the Ladies' Aid. So when Fairy
came in, about four In the afternoon,
there was Only Prudence to note the
vcngeful glitter in her fine, clear eyes.
And Prudence was so intent upon
feather-stltChing the hens Of pink
checked dish towels that she did not
observe 1t.
"Where's papa?" Fairy asked.
upstairs"
"Where are the twips?"
SIN the barn, getting ready for 7 He
DAY"
Fairy smiled dellghtedly 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 bris'Ily
out toward town again.
Prudence, startled out Of her feath-
or-stitching, followed her to the door.
"Why, Fairy" she called, "Are you
going out agalnp
Fairy threw up her hands. $50 It
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 alb.
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 spiteful glee.
"Good! Finel Serves 'em right
You'd better hurry"
"Tell Aunt Grace, will your But
don't let Connie In until morning.
She'd give 1t away"
At suppertlme Fairy returned and
| the twins, their eyes bright with the
unholy light Of mischief, never looked
at her. They sometimes looked heav-
onward with a sublime contentment
that drove Connie nearly frantic. Oc-
casionally they uttered cryptic words
about the morrOw--and the older mem.
bers Of the family sEliled 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
It happened that they were all In the
dining room when their father ap-
peared at the door. He had his hands
behind him suggestively.
"Twlns," he said, without preamble,
"what do you want more than any.
thing else"
"Sllk stockings" was the prompt
and 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 as the twins TREMENDOUSLY
tore off the wrappings.
"a. phOole's Pure Silk Thread
Hose--Guarnnteedw This they read
from the box-neat golden lettering
1t was enough for the twins. with
cries Of perfect bliss they flung them
selves upon their father, kissing him
rapturously wherever their lips might
couch.
"Oh, papal" "Oh, you durllng!
And tea, when they had some sort OF
control Of their Joy, Lark said SOL
EMMY, Papa, 1t is gift from heay'
eni"
"Of course we give you the credit
papa" Carol amended quickly, "Ou'
the thought was heaven-prompted."
Fairy chokcd suddenly, and her fit
Of coughing interfered with the twins
gratitude to an all-suggestlng ProVi'
dence!
Carol twisted her box Dervously'
"You know, papa, 1t may seem very
childish and--silly to you, but--actu-
silly-we have--well, prayed for silk
stockings. We didn't honestly expect
to get them, though--hot until we
saved up enough money enough to get
them ourselves. Heaven is kinder to
us than We"
"You can't understand such things,
papa said Lark. '&Nybe you don't
krow exactly flow--now they feel.
When we go to Betty Hills we wear
her silk stockings and lie on the bed
| and ~ ,vnpft lot no U'ulk In them.