The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-07-19
CHAPTER v.
Substitution.

Substitution.
The twins came in at dinner-time
wrapped In unwonted silence. Lark's
face was darkened by an anxious
shadow, while Carol wore an expre0-
sion of heroic determination.
whats 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 1t, you only want to be
coaxed"
Lark sighed again, and gazed appeal
Ingly at her stout-hearted twin. Carol
never could resist the appeal Of those
pleading eyes.
"Larkie promised to speak a piece
weeks from tomorrow" she vouch-
eafed. as unconcernedly as possible.
Mercy" calculated Connie, with an
astonishment that was not altogether
complimentary.
Careful, Larkie," cautioned Fairy.
you'll disgrace the parsonage II you
don't watch out"
Nonsense" declared their father,
Lark can speak as well AS anybody II
she Just keeps good grip on herself
and doesn't get stage fright"
Aunt Grace smiled gently.
Connie frowned TITS risky buai-
ness" she said Lark can't speak any
more than a rabbit, and"
II know It" was the humble admis-
sion.
Don't be a goose, Con-" interrupted
Cnrol "Of course Lark can speak .
piece. She must learn 1t, learn t.
learn 1t, so she can rattle 1t OF back
wards with her eyes shut. That's the
whole secret. OF course she can
speak"
"How did It happenr' inquired
Fairy.
II don't Know" Lark said sorrow-
fully. Nothing was ever farther from
my thoughts. assure you. The first
thing 1 knew, Mrs. Curtiss was thank
ing me for my promise. and Carol was
marching me of like grim death"
SuI vi ouAeu, iSACNCd AoW OAAA& %AAo
family commentary was over. TT was
very natural. Mrs. Curtiss begged her
to do 1t, 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 q drawing card It would
be for both Of us twins to be ON the
program, one right after the other, and
how well It would lock for the par
sonage, and It never occurred to me to
warn Lark, for never dreamed Of her
doing It"
Il thought It wouldn't hurt me to Try
Il once" Lark volunteered In her own
defense.
Aunt Grace nodded, with a smile Of
interested approval.
TIN proud Of you. Lark, quite proud
Of you," her father said warmly. ITS
a big thing for you to make such
plunge-tust fine"
TIN proud Of you now, too," Connie
said darkly 'The question u. will we
be proud Of you after the concertT
Lark sighed dolorously.
"Oh, pooh I" encouraged Carol. ANY
body can speak a silly little old piece
like that. And 1t will look 20 nice to
have our names right together on the
program. It'll bring out all the high
school folks, sure"
Yes. they'll come to hear Lark, all
right" Fairy smiled. "But she'll make
It 60. Of course. And it will give Carol
. chance to show her clevernsss by
telling her how to do It"
So as soon a. supper was over, Carol
said decidedly. "Now. Connie. youn
have to help me with the dishes the
next two weelrs, for Lark's got to prac-
tice on that piece. Lark. you must
read 1t over, very thoughtfully first to
get the meaning. Then Just read It
and read ~ and read It, dozen times,
a hundred times, over and over and
over. And pretty soon you'll know It"
IN bet I DON'T" was the discourag-
ing retort, A. LArk, With pronounced
distaste, took the slip Of paper and sat
down in the corner 10 read the bloom
ing thing" - shs muttered Grossly to
herself.
Connie and Carol did up the dishes
In dreadful dl1nqs. and thsn Carol ~
turned TO the Aarse. How many
times dad you read itr
fourteen and . hql&" was the pa-
Asat answse. ITS . slQy thing. Carol.
there's - oqnse - u ~ wind wat
nk1H1o9 ~ - A's