The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-09-06
CHAPTER XII.
The Connie Problem.


The Connie Problem.
Mr.. Starr was getting ready to 90 to
conference, and the girls lowered about
him with anxious eyes. This was their
fifth conference since coming to Mount
Mark-the time limit for Methodist
ministers was I'VE yeafs. The STAIRS.
therefore. would be transferred. and
where7 Small wonder that the girls fol-
lowed him around the house and spoke
In soft voices and looked with tender
eyes at the old parsonage and the wide
lawn. They would be leaving next
week. Already the curtains were down,
and laundered. and packed. The trunks
were filled, the books were boxed. Yes,
they were leaving. but whittier were
they boundf
'0et your ecclesiastical dander up.
father" Carol urged, don't let them
give M q church fight, or q twenty
thousand-dollar debt ON q thousand
dollar congregation"
I'VE don't care for big salary or a
stylish congregation" Lark added. but
We don't want to go back to washpans
and kerosene lamps again"
The conference was held in Fairfield.
and he informed the girls casually that
he would be home on the firrt train
after the assignments were made. He
said It casually, for he did not wish
them to know how perturbed he was
over the coming change. During the
conference he tried in many and devi-
Gus ways to learn the will Of the au-
thorities regarding his future, but he
found no clue. And at home the girls
we're discussing the matter very little,
but thinking Of nothing else. They
were determined to be pleased about
II.
Just the same, on Wednesday eve
ming, the girls sat silent. with intense
" flushed faces and painfully shining
eyes, watching the clock. listening for
the footstep. They had deliberately
remained away from the station. They
thought they could face It better with
In the friendly walls Of the parsonage.
II was all settled now. father knew
where they were going. Oh. why hadn't
he wfred1 It must be terribly bad
then. he evidently wanted to break n
10 them gently.
Maybe II was q circuiti There was
the whistle nowi Only few minutes
now. Suppose his salary were cut
good-by to silk stockings and
kid gloves cheap. but kid. just the
samei Suppose the parsonage would
be old-fashionedi Suppose there wasn't
any parsonage at all, and they would
have to pay remit Sup Then the
door slammed.
Carol and Lark picked up their darn.
ing. and Connie bent earnestly 0vge her
magazine. Aunt Grace covered yawn
with her slender fingers and looked
out Of the window.
"Hello!"
'why. hello. papai Back alreadyr'
They dropped darning and magazine
and dew to welcome him home.
"Come and sit downl" "Ny, 1t
seemed q long timei" I'VE had lots
Of fun, father" ''Was It q nice confer
ence1" 'Ar. James sent Us two BUSH
els Of potatoes I" 'rWe're going to have
chicken tomorrow-the Ladies' Aders
sent It with their farewell love-"
"wasn't It q dandy dayr
"Well. it's all settled"
"Yes. we supposed It would be. Was
the conference good7 We read ac-
counts Of 1t every day. and acted stuck
ND when It said nice things about you"
I'VE are to"
"Ju-just . minute, father" inter
rupted Connie anxiously. I'VE don't
care 4 snap where It IL. honestly We
don't. We're Just crazy about II.
wherever it u. We've got It all settled.
You needn't be afraid to tell "a"
.Afraid to tell usi" Knocked the
twins Indignantly. what kind Of slave-
drivers do you think We arer
"Father knows we're all right. Go
on, daddy. who's to be our next nockf
I'VE havea't any, We
The giris faces paled. Haven't anyf
You mean"
II mean we're to stay in Mount
Mark"
"Stay In Whatf'
~llount Marx. They0