The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1918-01-16
CHAPTER XIII
Fate Takes Charge,

For hours Prudence lay unconscious,
with two doctors in close attendance.
Fairy, alert but calm, was at hand to
give them scrvl>a.
1T is n significant thing that in bitter
anguish and grief, Christians find com
fort and peace i'll prayer. Outsiders, as
well as Christians, pray in times of
danger ana mental stress, pray, and
pray, and pray again, and continue
still in the agony and passion Of grief
and fear. And yet they pray. But
Christians pray, and find confidence
and serenity. Sorrow may remain but
anguish is Stillcd.
Mount Mark considered this II unique
their gaycty, their love of fun, seemed
little inapropos in the setting of u
Methodist parsonage.
'Ihcy ain't sanctimonious enough
by half" declared old Harvey Reel, the
bus driver, hut, by Jings tell you
they arc dandics! !"
But as Il matter of fact, every one
OF the family, from Connie up, had II
characteristic parsonage heart. When
They were worried, or frightened, or
gricvcd, they prayed. Fairy passing
up the stairs with hot water for the
doctors, whispered to her father us he
turned in to his own room, keep on
praying, father. | can't stop now, be-
cause they need me. But Fin praying
cvcry minute between crranuS!" And
Mr. Starr, knccling beside his bed did
pray--and the stony despair in his
eyes died out, and he came from the
little room quiet, and confident and
calm.
Connie, seeking Il secluded corner
10 pray for Prudence" had pass ed the
door of the dungeon. and paused A
fitting place! So she turned in at
once, and in the farthcSt and darkest
corner, she knelt on the hard floor and
prayed, and sobbcd herself to sleep.
Lark remained Loyalty with Carol
until consciousness returned to her. AS
soon as she was able to walk, the two
went silently to the barn, and climbed
into the much-lOvcd haymow. There
they lay fiat on the hay, faces down
ward, each with an arm across the
others shoulder, praying fcrvently.
After n time they rose and crcpt into
the house where they waited patiently
until Fairy came down Oh one Of her
numerous errands.
as she better?" they whispered And
Fairy answered gently, ~ think she Is
a little better" Then the twins, in no
way deceived, went back to the hay
NOV again.
Fairy prepared Il hasty supper, and
arranged it on the kitchen table. She
drank cup Of hot coffee, and went In
search of her father. go and eat,
dadsie," she urged. But he shook his
head.
II am not hungry, but send the girls
to the table ut once"
On their next trip into the house,
Fairy stopped the twins. "Get Connie
and eat your supper. It's just cold
lunch, and is already on the kitchen
table You must help yo,lrSclycs---I
can't come now"
Tie twins did not speak and Fairy
went 'urVicliy up the stairs once more
Il Go MOI think can eat" said Carol.
"We'd better take away about half
OF this food, and hide it. Then she will
think we have already eaten"
This novel plan was acted upon with
and the twins went back
to the haymow. When 1t grew dark
they slipped into the kitchen and hud-
died together on the woodbox beside
the stove. And down to them present
iy came Fairy, smiling, her eyes tear
frightened.
"She is better!" cried Carol, spring
ing to her feet.
Eyes" said Fairy, dropping on her
knees and burying her face In Lark's
lap, as she. still sat on the woodbox.
"She's better. She is better" Lark
patted the heavlng shoulders in a |
motherly way, and when Fairy lifted
her face again it was all serene
though her lashes were wet.
"She Is conscious" said Fairy, still
on her knees, but with her head
thrown back, and smiling "She re-
gained consciousness little while !
ago. There Is really nothing serious
the matter. 1t was hard knock, but
1t missed the temple When she be-
came conscious, she looked up at IA
ther and smiled. Father looked per-
fcctly awful, twins, 30 pale, and his
lips were trembling. And Prudence
said, Now, father, on your word Of
honor, did you knock me down with
that h on purDoseP She spoke very
low md weak, bnt-just. like PrIl.