The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-03-29

Iowa." and In the lower left-hand cor
ner was a suggestive drawing Of q
Skull and Crossbones. The eyes Of the
mischievous twins twinkled with de-
light when they saw it, and they car
ried 1t to the barn for prompt perusal.
1t read as follows:
Miss Constance Starr humbly and re-
spectfully Graves admittance into the An
cient and Honorable Organization OF
Skull and Crossbones.
The twins pondered long on a fitting
reply, and the next afternoon the post
man brought letter for Connie, wait
ing impatiently for 1t. She had ap-
preached the twins about 1t at noon
that day.
did you get my application" she
had whispered nervously.
But the twins had stared her out Of
countenance. and Connie realized that
she had committed a serious breach Of
secret society etiquette.
But here was the letterl Her I'm
gers trembled as she opened 1t. It was
decorated lavishly with skulls and
crossbones, splashed with red ink, sup
posedly blood, and written In the same
suggestive color.
Skull and Crossbones, great in mercy
and in condescension. has listened graci>
ously to the prayer OF Constance, the
Seeker. Hear the will Of the Great Spirit!
II the Seeker will. for the length Of two
weeks. submit herself to the will Of Skull
and Crossbones, she shall be admitted In
to the Ancient and Honorable Order.
The week that followed was a gala
one for the twins Of Skull and Cross
bones. Constance swept their room,
made their bed, washed their dishes,
did their chores, and In every way be-
haved as a model pledge Of the ancient
and honorable. The twins were gra-
cious but firm. There was no arguing
and no faltering. ut is the will Of
Skull and Crossbones that the damsel
do this" they would say. And the
damsel did 1t.
Prudence did not feel 1t was a case
that called for her interference. So
she sat back and watched, while the
twins told stories, read and frolicked,
and Constance did their daily tasks.
A week passed. ten days, and twelve.
Then came golden October afternoon
when the twins sat in the haymow
looking out upon mellow world. Con-
stance was in the yard. reading fairy
story. The situation was q tense one,
for the twins were hungry, and time
was heavy on their hands.
"The apple trees in Avery's orchard
are just loaded" said Lark. And
there are lots on the ground, too. 1
saw them when I was out in the field
this morning."
Carol gazed down into the yard
where Constance was absorbed in her
book. Constance oughtn't to read as
much as she does," she argued. Its
SO bad for the eyes,"
"Yes, and what's more, she's been
getting off too easy for the last few
days. The time is nearly up"
That's so." said Lark. Lets call
her up here" This was done at once,
and the unfortunate Constance stood
before them respectfully. as they had
instructed her to stand. The twins
hesitated, each secretly hoping the
other would voice the order. But Lark,
as usual, was obliged to be the spokes-
man.
"Damsel," she said, sit is the will of
Skull and Crossbones that you HE ye
to yonder orchard-Avery's l mean
and bring hither some Of the golden
apples basking in the sum-"
what" calculated Connie, startled
out of her respect.
Carol frowned.
Connie hastened to modify her tone.
ibid they say you might have them?"
she inquired politely.
'"That concerns thee not; it's for thee
only to render obedience to the orders
Of the Society. Go out through our
field and sneak under the fence where
the wires are loose, and hurry back.
We're awfully hungry. The trees are
near the fence. There isn't any dan
ger"
"But it's stealing" objected Connie.
"What will Prudence"
"Damsel!" And Connie turned to
obey with despair in her heart.
Bring twelve" Carol called after
her, "thatIl be four apiece. And hurry,
Connie. And see they don't catch you
while you're about It."
After she had gone the twins lay
back thoughtfully on the hay and
stared at the cobwebby roof above
them in silence for a while. Something
was hurting them, but whether 1t was
their fear Of the wrath Of Prudence,
or the .winges Of tender consciences-
vho can sayf"