Show CHAPTER XII continued 15 ton are mistaken father jerry Is all right and always was I 1 am sore it Is nothing like that I 1 told him to go and not to come again that Is all but it be should come back now it would be just the same dont worry about it father its all right prudence he said more tenderly we have been the closest of friends and companions you and I 1 from the very beginning always you have come to me with your troubles and worries have I 1 ever failed you why then 10 lo you ga back on me now when you really need me prudence patted his shoulder affectionately tiona tely but her eyes did not meet bis 1 I do not really need you now father it Is all settled and I 1 am quite satisfied things are all right with me just as they are then he took a serious step without her knowledge he went to des and had a visit with jerry he found him thinner his face sterner bis eyes darker when the office boy mr starr jerry ran quickly out to greet him Is she all right he cried eagerly almost before he was within hailing distance ds tance mr starr did not mince matters jerry he said abruptly did you and prudence have a quarrel she declines to tell me anything about if and after the conversations you and I 1 have bad I 1 think I 1 have a right to know what has happened does she miss me does she seem sorry that I 1 am away does his voice was so boyish and so eager there was no mistaking bis attitude toward prudence look here jerry I 1 want to know why are you staying away wont prudence tell you no then I 1 cannot she made me promise not to tell you a word but it Is not my fault mr starr I 1 can tell you that it Is nothing I 1 have done or said she sent me away because she thinks it was right for her to do so and you know prudence 1 it Is wrong I 1 know I 1 knew it all the time but I 1 make her see it and she made me promise not to tell in the end mr starr went back to the parsonage no wiser than he left save that be now knew that jerry was really not to blame and that he held himself ready to return to her on a moments notice the ladles of the methodist church were puzzled and exasperated they went to the parsonage determined to find out what but when they sat with prudence and looked at the trail pathetic little figure with the mournful eyes they could only sigh with her and go their ways the twins continued to play in the great maple even when the leaves were fallen its a dandy place I 1 tell you prudence cried carol jerry have time to put up the rope before connie pulled him down but weve fixed it ourselves and it is elm ply grand you can go up and swing any time you like unless your joints are too stiff I 1 its a very serious matter getting up there for stiff joints of course I 1 mean lark and I 1 get up easy enough for a moment prudence sat silent with quivering lips then she burst out with unusual passion dont you ever dare climb that tree again as long as you live twins I 1 mind what isaal lark looked thoughtfully out of the window and carol swallowed hard it was sho who said gently why of course prue just as you eay on the day before christmas an insured package was delivered at the parsonage for prudence A letter was with it and she read that first my dearest little sweetheart I 1 chose this gift for you long before I 1 had the right to do it I 1 was keeping it until the proper moment but the came and went again still I 1 want you to have tha gift please wear if for my eaic for I 1 shall be happy knowing it is where it ought to be even though I 1 myself am banished I 1 love you prudence whenever you send for me I 1 am ready to come entirely and always yours jerry with trembling fingers she opened the little package it contained a ring with a brilliant diamond flashing my brigd colors before her eyes and prudence kissed it passionately many times two hours later she went quietly downstairs to where the rest of the family were decorating a christmas tree she showed the ring to them gravely jerry sent it to me she said do you think it Is all right for me to wear it father A thrill of hopeful expectancy ran through the little group yes indeed declared her father now beautiful it Is I 1 Is jerry coming to spend christmas with us why no fatheree fathe rhe Is not coming it all any more I 1 thought you understood that an awkward and carol came Q the rescue it certainly is t a beauty I 1 I 1 thought it was very land of professor ducate to send lark and me a five pound box of chocolates but of course this Is ever so much nicer jerrys a bird I 1 say A bird r mocked fairy such language lark came to her twins defense yes a bird just what be Is carol smiled we saw herft use his wings when connie yanked him out ot the big maple we lark then did you send him anything prue prudence hesitated and answered without the slightest accession of color yes carol I 1 bad my picture taken when I 1 was in burlington and sent it to him tour picture I 1 oh prudence I 1 where are they arent you going to give us one no carol I 1 had only one made for jerry there aren t any more well sighed lark resignedly its a pretty idea for my book anyhow from that day on prudence always wore the sparkling ring and the women of the methodist church nearly had mental paralysis marveling over a man who gave a diamond ring and never came a wooing I 1 and a girl who accepted and wore his offering with nothing to say for the danl and it was the consensus of opinion in mount mark that modern lovers were mostly crazy anyhow 1 and springtime cams again now the twins were always original in their amusements they never followed blindly after tho dictates of custom and when other girls played catch with dainty rubber balls the twins took unto themselves a big and heavy croquet ball found in the avery woodshed to be sure it stung and and springtime came again bruised their hands what matter at any rate they continued endangering their lives and beauties by reckless pitching of the ungainly plaything one friday evening after school they were amusing themselves on the parsonage lawn with this huge ball when their father turned in they ran up to him with a sporting proposition bet you a nickel papa cried carol that you cant throw this ball as far as tho schoolhouse woodshed by abo way will you lend me a nickel papa iio took tho ball and weighed it lightly in his hand im an antl betting society he declared laughing but I 1 very strongly believe it will carry to the schoolhouse woodshed it it does not give you alvo cents worth of candy tomorrow and if it does you shall put an extra in abo collection next sunday then he drew back his arm and carefully sighted across the lawn send it right between the corner of tho bouse and that little cedar he said and then bending low it whizzed from his hand lark and carol sank taint ing to tho ground foe an instant mr starr himself stood swaying then be rushed across the lawn for prudence had opened the front door and stepped quickly out on the walk by the corner of tho house the heavy ball struck her on the forehead and she fell heavily without a moan CHAPTER XIII fate takes charge for hours prudence lay unconscious with two doctors in close attendance 1 olry alert but calm was at hand to give them service it Is a significant thing that in bitter anguish and grief christians find comfort and peace in prayer outsiders as vi ell as christians pray in times of and mental stress pray and pray and pray again and continue still in the agony and passion of grief and fear and yet they ariy but christians p iv and find confidence and serenity sorrow may remain but anguish la stilled mount mark considered this a unique parsonage family their liveliness their gaiety gayety their love of fun seemed a little In apropos in the setting 0 a methodist parsonage t they aint sanctimonious enough by half declared old narvey keel the bus driver but by I 1 tell you they are dandles I 1 but as a matter of tact every one of the family from connie up had a characteristic parsonage heart when they were worried or frightened or grieved they prayed fairy passing up the stairs with hot water for the doctors whispered to her father as he turned in to his own room keep on praying father I 1 cant stop now because they need me but I 1 m praying every minute between errands 1 and mr starr kneeling beside bis bed did pray and the stony despair in bis eyes died out and he came from the little room quiet and confident and calm connie seeking a secluded corner to pray for prudence had passed the door of the dungeon and paused A fitting so she turned in at once and in abo farthest and darkest corner she knelt on the bard floor and prayed and sobbed herself to sleep lark remained loyally 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 loved haymow there they lay flat on the hay faces downward each with an arm across the others shoulder praying fervently alter a time they rose and crept into the house where they waited patiently until fairy came down on oneat her numerous errands Is she better they whispered and fairy answered gently I 1 think she Is a little better then the twins in no way deceived went back to the bay mow again fairy prepared a hasty supper and arranged it on the kitchen table she I 1 drank a cup of hot coffee and went in search of her father go and eat she urged but he shook his head 1 I am not hungry but send the girls to the table at once on their next trip into the house fairy stopped tho twins get connie and eat your supper its just a cold lunch and Is already on the kitchen table you must help yourselves I 1 cant come now the twins did not speak and fairy went hurriedly up the stairs once more 1 I do not think I 1 can eat said carol wed better take away about halt of this food and bide it then sho will think we have already eaten this novel plan was acted upon with promptitude and the twins went back to tho haymow when it grew dark they slipped into tho kitchen and huddled together on the beside the stove and down to them presently came fairy smiling her eyes tear brightened cd she Is better 1 cried carol springing to her feet yes said fairy dropping on her knees and burying her face in larks lap as she still sat on the wood box ashes better she Is better lark patted the heaving 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 regained consciousness a little while ago tharo Is really nothing serious the matter it was a hard knock but it missed tho temple when she became conscious she looked up at farther and smiled father looked perfectly awful twins so pale and big lips were trembling and prudence said now father on your word of honor did you knock mo down with that ball on purpose sho spoke very jow and weak but just like prudence father say a word he just nodded and gulped she haa a little fever and the doctors say we may need to work with her part of the night father said to ask it you would go to bed now so you can get up early in the morning and help us I 1 am to stay with prudence tonight but you may have to take turns in the morning and have to get breakfast too so father thinks you would better go to bed will you do that TO BE CONTINUED |