Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1918-01-04
CHAPTER v.
Substitution.

substitution.
The twins came In at dinner-time
wrapped In unwonted silence. Lark's
Sace was darkened by an anxious
shadow, while Carol wore an express
sion of heroic determination.
"What's up2" Connie asked, when
the rest of the family dismissed the
matter with amused glances.
Lark sighed and looked at Carol,
seeming to seek courage from the Spar
tan cOuntenance.
Carol squared her shoulders.
"Well, go on" Connie urged. "Don't
be silly. You know you're crazy to tell
us about it, you only want to be
coaxed."
Lark sighed again, and gazed appeal
Angly at her stout-hearted twin. Carol
never could resist the appeal of those
pleading eyes.
"Larkie promised to speak a piece
mt tie Sunday-school concert two
weeks from tomorrow" she vouch-
Gafed, as unconcernedly as possible.
Mercy" calculated Connie, with an
establishment that was not altogether
complimentary '.
Careful, Larkie," cautioned Fairy.
''YOu'll disgrace the parsonage If you
don't watch out"
Nonsense" declared their father,
Lark can speak as well as anybody if
she just keeps a good grip on herself
and doesn't get stage fright"
Aunt Grace smiled gently.
Connie frowned. TITS risky bust
NESS" she said. Lark can't speak any
more than rabbit, and"
II know it." was the humble admis-
sion.
Don't be q goose, Con-" interrupted
Carol. "Of course Lark can speak a
piece. She must learn it, learn it,
learn it, so she can rattle it off back
wards with her eyes shut. That's the
whole secret. OF course she can
speak"
How did it happen?" inquired
FAIRY.
II don't know" Lark said sorrow
fully. Nothing was ever farther from
my thoughts, assure you. The first
thing I knew, Mrs. Curtiss was thank
ing nse for my promise, and Carol was
marching me off like grim DEATH"
Carol smiled, relieved now that the
family commentary was over. ut was
very natural. Mrs. Curtiss begged her
10 do it, and Lark refused. That al
ways happens, every time the Sunday
school gives an entertainment But
Mrs. Curtiss went on to say how badly
the Sunday school needs the money,
and how big a drawing card 1t would
De for both of US twins to be on the
program, one right after the other, and
how well it would look for the par
sonage, and it never occurred to me tC
warn Lark, for never dreamed Of heI
doing it."
81 thought 1t wouldn't hurt me to try
st once" Lark volunteered in her OWL
defense.
Aunt Grace nodded, with a smile OF
interested approval.
''Pm proud of you, Lark, quite proud
of you," her father said warmly. ats
big thing for you to make such O
plunge-just fine"
"I'm proud of you now, too" Connie
said darkly. ''The question is, will we
be proud of you after the concert"
Lark sighed dolorously.
'Oh, pooh |" encouraged Carol. "Any
body can speak silly little old piece
Alike that. And it will look so nice tc
have our names right together on the
program. It'll bring out all the high
school folks, sure"
Eyes, they'll come to hear Lark, all
right" Fairy smiled. "But she'll make
1t go. Of course. And 1t will give Caro-
chance to show her cleverness by
telling her how to do it,"
So as soon as supper was over, Caro-
said decidedly, Nov, Connie, you'll
nave to help me with the dishes the
next two weeks, for Lark's got to prac
tice on that piece. Lark, you must
read 1t over, very thoughtfully first tc
get the meaning. Then just read i,
and read it and read it, q dozen times
hundred times, oyer and over and
over. And pretty soon you'll know it.
"Ill bet don't" was the discourag
Ing retort, as Lark, with pronounced
distaste, took the slip Of paper and sal
down In the corner to read the "bloom
ing thing" as she muttered Grossly tc
herself.
Connie and Carol did up the dishes
in dreadful silence, and then Carol re-
turned to the charge. "How many
times did you read it?"
Fourteen and half" was the pa
dent answer. "Tt's silly thing, Carol
There's no sense to 1t. The wind went
drifting DER the lea"