The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1919-05-30
LAURAANN
BY MILDRED WHITE.

ant little S1tting-rOOm. Constance was
gazing absently at her magazine,
while Prudence bent over her ever
lasting embroidery. Meeting her sis
ter's visionary eyes, Miss Prudence
laughed shortly.
Are you wondering, too" she
asked, 'if we are going to spend the
rest Of Jul lives in this regulated
plan? Our days and our years pass
with the same duties at the same
hours, and no innovation. In Willow
Crest, of course, there is not apt to
be anything new under the sun.
What are we going to do about it?'
"DoY" queried Miss Constance
calmly. "Why, we must accept things
as they are, my dear!"
"Thank goodness I have not your
serene state of mind" exclaimed the
vivacious sister, 'and 1 intend to have
something to think about in this town
at least. I'm going to act upon a sud-
den idea and advertise for a boarder."
"But Prue," the plump little lady re-
m~onstrated, I'VE are not obliged to
earn money"
Money nothing" snapped Pru-
dence. Il want companionship-ap-
probation. Who is there beside your
self to enjoy my delicious jellies and
give Incentive to fresh culinary dis
coveries?
"But-but the boarder might be q
man." Constance complained.
II hope So" her sister shamelessly
agreed, "a man would certainly be an
innovation in Willow Crest"
Constance's soft lips were pressed
together in unfamiliar firmneSs.
That she decidedly remarked, II
will not c~ountenance. If you are de
termined in this most extraordinary
within, specify plainly that the appli-
cant must be a woman"
And grimly Prudence obeyed.
The arrival of many responses to
her advertisement caused a pleasur-
able excitement. Even Constance,
vaguely disappearing, was forced to
smile at her energetic sisters enthus-
iasm, and it was Constance who final
ly selected the sboarder."
She was a young wOman from the
city. "Alone in the world her let
ter said appealingly. Since her moth
er's death she had passed through a
series Of boarding schools and was
anxious for the atmosphere Of q real
home. Her father" she added, spent
his time roaming about abroad
Laura Ann Arnold was the name
signed to the letter.
isn't she the prettiest child?' cried
Miss Prudence.
"A sweet appearing girl, indeed"
Constance admitted.
'.Why," coaxed Laura Ann, do you
both wear your nice hair SO tightly?
In the city it would be arranged-oh,
let me show you how" And she did.
The sisters looking with apologize
admiration at their transformed re-
fections in the glass, thanked Laura
Ann warmly. The little boarder
further went with the two to assist
in the selection Of new muslin dresses.
you've made us look SO different"
ventured Constance.
$50 much-nicer," said Miss Prue.
Laura Ann laughed, her dark eyes
were dancing. You sent for ME be-
cause you wanted things different,
You know" she reminded them.
And one SUMMER evening when
Laura Ann had taken a walk to the
station she returned at supper time
with a distinguished looking stran-
ger.
MY father" she introduced care
lessly.
Il thought" stammered Prudence,
! that your father was abroad
"He was Laura Ann replied. "He
| has Just returned. l did not tell of his
| coming, because I wanted 1t to be a
| surprise. If you could make room for
him here until our future plans are
arranged he would be glad
The sisters found that they could
make room. Constance in listening to
the r~ecollections of Laura AIMS ia
Their, found much of interest to her
self. And many of those now FAR
scattered schoolmates had been mu-
tlal friends Of both.
A pretty color came to Constance's
cheeks as she talked. Sometimes
Laura Ann stopped long enough be
meath the trees where the two were
wont to sit, to tuck a flower into Miss
| Constance's loosened hair.
I'D like her for a stepmother," she
conided to Miss Prue.
1T looks as though you going
to get her." Prudence dryly replied.
II hope So" Laurn Ann confessed,
because, you see, though I've never
mentioned 1t, there's a boy In the city
called Jerry. We love each other.
But our fathers selishly tried to keep
us both, because they were alone.
| Jerry's mother died when he was
born. sine was an excellent house
keeper, Jerry's mother, and his "a
Their wants Jerry to find that kind Of
a.L 80 &~IH@~ ~~I