Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-03-28
CHAPTER VII.
Lark's Literary Venture.

AS commencement drew near, and
Fairy began planning momeEtors
things for her graduation, little
soberness came into the parsonage
life. The girls were certainly grow
ing up. Prudence had been married
long, long time. Fairy was being grad
uated from college, her school days
were over, and life was just across the
threshold-its big black door just
slightly ajar waiting for her to press 1t
back and catch a glimpse of what lay
beyond.
Even the twins were getting along.
They were finishing high school, and
beginning to pirate of college and such
things, but the twins were still, well,
they were growing up, perhaps, but
they kept jubilantly young along in the
process, and their enthusiasm for
diplomas and ice cream sodas was so
nearly identical that one couldn't feel
seriously that the twins were Juggling
at their leashes.
And Connie was freshman herself
rather tall, little awkward. with
sober earnest face, and with an incon-
grously humorous droop to the corners
of her lips, and in the sparkle of her
eyes.
Mr.. Starr looked at them and sighed.
II tell you, Grace, It's thankiess job,
rearing a family. Connie told me to-
day that my collars should have
straight edges now instead of turned
back corners. And Lark reminded me
that got my points mixed up in last
Sundays lesson. I'm getting sick of
this family business, I'm about ready
to-"
And just then, as clear "Father"
came floating down the stairway, he
turned his head alertly. "What do you
want?"
eEverybody's out" came Carols
plaihtive voice. 'Will you come and
button me up. 1 can't ask auntie to
run clear up here, and 1 can't come
dowR because Pm in my stocking feet.
My new slippers pinch so 1 don't put
them on until have to. oh, thanks,
father, you're dear"
After the excitement of the COM
mencement, the commotion, the CLAM
our, the gayety, ordinary parsonage
life seemed smooth and pleasant, and
for ten days there was not a ruff1e on
the surface of their domestic waters.
1t was on the tenth day that the twins,
strolling down Main street, conversing
earnestly together as was their GUS
tom, were accosted by nicely round
ed, pompous man with a cordial,
"Hello, twins"
In an instant they were bright with
smiles for this was Mr.. Raider, editor
and owner of the Daily News, the big
gest and most popular of Mount Mark S
three daily papers. Looking forward,
as they did, to a literary career for
Lark, they never failed to show a
touching and unnatural Difference to
anyone connected, even ever so re-
b motley, with that profession.
They did not resent his nicely
rounded and therefore pointless jokes.
They smiled at them. They did not
call the Daily News the "Raider Fam
fly Organ" as they yearned to do. They
did not admit that they urged their IA
Their to put Mr.. Raider on all church
committees to insure publicity. They
swallowed hard, and told themselves
that, after all, Mr.. Raider was an edi-
tor, and perhaps he couldn't help edit
Ing his own family to the exclusion of
the rest of Mount Mark.
When, on this occasion, he looked
Lark up and down with his usual ro-
fund complacency, Carol only gritted
her teeth and reminded her heaving
soul that he was an editor.
what are you going to do this sum
muir, Lark" he asked, without pre-.
amble.
"Why-just nothing, 1 suppose. AS
usual"
well" he said, frowning plumply
"we're running short of men. I've
heard you're interested in our line, and
I thought maybe you could help US out
during vacation. How about it? The
work'll be easy and it'll be fine expert
ence for you. Wen pay you five dol
lars a week. This is little town, and
we're called a little publication, but
our work and our aim and methods are
identical with those of the big city pa
pers." He swelied visibly, almost
alarmingly. "How about it? You're
the one with the literary longings
aren't your"
Lark was utterly speeches.. II ths
National bank had opened its Golfers