r- ETHEL HUESTONI OF -riHE IIXVSTRATED BY W.C .TANNE (Copyright, by th Bobb-Merrlll Company.) iiil IT WAS A LUSCIOUS APPLE THAT GOT OLD MOTHER EVE IMTO TROUBLE, AND APPLES IT IS THAT MAKE TROUBLE FOR CONNIE AND THE TWINS. Mr. Starr, a widower Methodist minister, has been assigned to the congregation at Mount Mark, la. He has five daughters, Prudence, the eldest, who keeps house; Fairy, Carol and Lark, who are twins, and Constance. Their advent stirs the curiosity of all Mount Mark, and members of the Ladies' Aid lose no time in getting acquainted and asking a million questions. Prudence, who Is nineteen, has her hands full with the mischievous twins and Connie, but is moved to defend them valiantly when some of the good ladies of the congregation sug gest that an older woman Is needed to run the family. I CHAPTER III Continued. 6 ' 'Indeed they lire not," cried Pru flence loyally. "They nro young, lively, mischievous, I know mid I am glad of It But I have lived with them ever since they were horn, and I ought to know them. They (ire unselfish, they are sympathetic, they are always gen erous. They do foolish and Irritating things but never things that are hate ful and mean. They are all light at heart, and that Is all that counts. They are not had girls I What have they done today? They were exasperating, and humiliating, too, but what did they do that was really mean? They em barrassed and rnortlfjud me, hut not Intentionally I I can't punish them for tho effect on me, you know I Would that be Just or fair? At heart, they meant no harm." It must be confessed that there were many serious faces among the Ladles. Some cheeks were Hushed, some eyes Were downcast, some Hps were com pressed und some wero trembling. Kv ery mother there was asking In her heart, "Did I punish my children Just for the effect on me? Did I Judge my children by what was In their hearts, or Just by the trouble they made me?" And the silence lasted so long that It became awkward. Finally Mrs. I'ren tlss crossed the room ami stood by Prudence's side. She laid a hand ten derly on the youhg girl's arm, and said In a voice that wus slightly tremulous: "I believe you are right, my dear. It la what girls urc at heart Mint really counts. I believe your slslers are nil you say they are. And one thing I am very sure of they are happy girls to have a sister so patient and loving and Just. Not all real mothers have ns much to their credit IV CHAPTER. IV. i A Secret Society. 1 Carol and Lark, In keeping with their twlnshlp, were the dearest chumi and comrades. To them tho great, rumbling barn hack of the paifOBBgt wos a most delightful place. It had a big cowshed on one side, and horse stalls on the other, with a "heavenly" haymow over nil, and wllh "chutes" for the descent of hay--and twins I Now the twins had a secret society Of which they were the founders, tho Officers and tile membership body. Its name was skull and Oroasbuues. Lark furnished llh brain power for the or ganization, hut her sister was an en thusiastic and energetic second. Car ol's dub name was Lady Gwendolyn, and Lark's was Sir Alfred Angolcourt ordinarily, although subject to frequent change. The old barn saw stirring times after the coming of the new par sonage family, "Hark! Hark I" sounded a hissing whisper from the OOMcrlb, and Connie, eavesdropping outside the hum, shiv ered sympathetically, "What Is It! Oh, what Is It?" walled the unfortunate lady. "Look! Look! linn for your life 1" Then while Connie clutched, the barn door In n fntiy, there was a sound of rattling corn ns (he twins scrambled Upward, a silence, a low thud, and an unromantlc "Ouch!" as Carol bumped her head and stumbled. "Are you assaulted?" shouted the hold Sir Alfred, and Connie heard a wild scutlle as he rescued his compan ion from the dutches of tho old halter on which she had Mumbled. Op the haymow ladder tlu.y hurried, anil then slid recklessly down the hay chutes. Presently the barn door was Hung open, and the "society" knocked Con nie flying backward, ran madly around the bam a few times, and scurried un der tho fence and Into (he chicken coop. A little Inter Connie, assailed with shots of corncobs, rim bitterly toward he house. "Peeking" was strictly for hidden when the (wins were engaged In Skull and Crossboiies activities. And Connie's soul burned with de sire. She felt that this secret soelety was threatening not only her happi ness, hut also her health, lor she could not sloep for horrid dreams of Skulls and Crossboues nt night, ami could not eat for envying the twins tholr'socret und mysterious Joys. Finally she ap plied to Prudence, and received assist ance. The afternoon innll brought to tho parsonage an envelope addressed to "Misses Carol and Lark Starr, the Methodist Parsonage, Mount Murk, Iowa," ami In the lower left-hand cor ner was a suggestive drawing of n Skull and Crossbohea, The eyes of tho mischievous twins twinkled With de light when they saw It, and they car ried It to the burn for prompt perusal. It read as follows: Mlas OonMum-o Starr humbly and re spectfully craves Hilmltlnneo mtu the An cient and Honorable Orulntlon of Skull and CroHaboaes. The twins pondered long on n flttlug reply, and the next afternoon the post man brought a letter for Connie, willf ul Ituputlently for it. she hud up proaclMd the twius uboul It ut noon that day. "Did you get my nppllcutlon?" she had whispered nervously. Hut the twins had stared her out of countenance, and Connie realized that she had committed a serious breach of secret society etiquette. Hut hero was the letter! Her An gers trembled ns she opened It. It was decorated lavishly with skulls and crossbones, splashed with red Ink, sup posedly blood, and written In the same suggestive color. Skull and Crossbones, great In mercy and la condescension, has listened graci ously to the prayer of Constance, the Seeker. Hear tile will of the Great Spirit I If the Beoker will, for the length of two weeks, submit herself to the will of Skull and CrossboneB, she shall be admitted in to the Ancient and Honorable Order. 'The week that followed was a gain one for the twins of Skull and Cross bones. Constance swept their room, made their bed, washed their dishes, did their chores, and lu every way be haved as a model pledge of the ancient und honorable. The twins were gra cious but firm. There wus no nrgulug and no faltering. "It is the will of Skull and Crossbones that the damsel do this," they would suy. And the damsel did it. Prudence did Hot feel It was n case that called for her Interference. So she sut back and watched, while the twins told stories, read and frolicked, and Constance did their dally tasks. A week passed, ton days, and twelve. Then came a golden October afternoon when the twins sat in the haymow looking out upon a mellow world. Con stance was In the yard, reading a fairy story. The situation was a tense one, for the twins were hungry, and time was heavy on their hands. "The apple trees In Avery's orchard nro just loaded," said Lurk. "And there are luts on the ground, too. I saw them when I was out in the Held this mornlngv" Carol gazed down into tho yard where Constance was absorbed In her book. "Constunce oughtn't to read as much as she does," she argued, "it's so bad for the eyes." "Tea, and what's more, she's been getting oil' too easy for the last few days. The time Is nearly up." "Hints so," said Lurk, "Let's call her up here." This wus done at one anil the unfortunate Constance stood before them respectfully, us they hud instructed her to stand. The twins hesitated, each secretly hoping tin oilier Would voice the order. .Hut Lark, as usual, was obliged lo be the spokes- ma ii. "Damsel," she said, "It Is the will of Skull and Crossbones Hint you hie ye lo yonder orchard Avery's I mean and bring hither some of the golden apples basking In the sun." "What!" ejaculated Connie, startled out of her respect. Carol frowned. Connie hastened to modify her too "Did l hey say you might have them?' she Inquired politely. ' 1 lut t concerns thee not : "Is for thee only to render obodlenr ,fte orders of the Society. Go out through our Held and sneak under the fence where the wires nro loose, und hurry back. We're awfully hungry. The trees nre near tho fence. There Isn't any duu ger." "Hut It's stealing," objected Connie. "What will Prudence " "Damsel!" And Connie turned to obey with despair lu her heart. "Brio! twelve," Carol cnlled after her, "that'll be four aploce. And hurry, Connie, And see they don't catch you while you're about It." After sho had gone the twins lay back thoughtfully on the liny and stared at the cobwebby roof above them In slleuce for n while. Something was hurting them, but whether It was their fear of the wrath of Prudence, or the twinges of tender consciences who can suy?" She's an unearthly long time about It," exclaimed Lark ut last. "Do you suppose they caught her?" This was an awful thought, and the girls were temporarily suffocated. Hut they heard the burn door swinging be neath (hem, and sighed with relief. It was Conule! She climbed the ladder skillfully, and poured her golden treas ure before the urcli-thlovos, Skull mid Crossbones. There were eight big, tempting apples. "Hum! Eight!" suld Carol sternly. "1 snld twelve." "Yes. but I wus ufrnld someone was coming. I heard such a noise through the grapevines, so 1 got what I could and ran for It. There's three apiece for you, and two for ma," said Connie, silting down sociably beside them on the hay. Hut Carol rose. "Damsel, begone." she ordered. "When Skull und Cross-, bones feast, thou canst not yet share the festive bourd. ltlse thee, aud spivd." Connie rose, and walked soberly toward the ladder. Hut before Blie dis appeared she tired this parting shot. 1 don't want any of them. Stolen apples don't tasie very good, 1 reckon." Carol und Lark had tho grace to flush a little at this, but however the stolen apples tasted, the twins had no eltficulty in disposing of them. Then, full almost beyond the point of com fort, they aild down the hay chutes, went out the back way, turned the cor ner, and came quietly In through the front door of the parsonage. Prudence was In the kitchen prepar ing the evening menl. Fairy was In the sitting room, busy with her books. The twins set the table conscientiously, filled the woodbox, aud In every way labored Irreproachably. But Prudence had no word of praise for them that evening. She Jiurdly seemed to know they were about the place. She went about her work with a pule face, and never a smile to be seen. Supper was nearly ready when Con nie sauntered In from the barn. After leaving the haymow, she hod found a cozy corner in the corncrlb, with two heavy laprobes discarded by the twins In their flight from wolves, and had settled down there to finish her story. As she stepped Into the kitchen Pru dence turned to her with such a sorry, reproachful gaze that Connie was frightened. "Are you sick, Prue?" she gasped. Prudence did not answer. She went to the door and called Fairy. "Finish getting supper, will you, Fulry? And when you are all ready, you and the twins go right on eating. Don't wait for father he Isn't coming home until evening. Come upstairs with me, Con nie; I want to talk to you." Connie followed her sister soberly, and the twins flashed at each other tartllug and questioning looks. The three girls wero at table when Prudence came luto (he dining room alone. She fixed a tray-supper quietly and carried It off upstairs. Then she came back and sat dowu by the table. But her face bore murks of tears, and she had no appetite. The twins had felt small liking for their food before, now each mouthful seemed to choke them. But they dared not ask a ques tion. They were devoutly thankful when Fairy finally voiced their Interest. 'What Is the matter? Has Connie been in mischief?" it's worse tiinn that," faltered Pru dence, tears rushing to her eyes again. 'Why, Prudence! What In the world has she done?" "I may as well tell you, I suppose you II have to know it sooner or later. She went out Into Avery's orchard and stole some apples this afternoon. I was buck In the alley seeing If Mrs. Moon could do the washing, and I saw her from the oilier side. She went CORMORANJ SHING IN Japan TlSHIKC, BOAT STARTINO OUT Got What I Could and Ran." from tree to tree, and when she got through the fence she run. There's no mistake about It she confessed." The twins looked up In ngony, but Pru dence's face reassured them. Con stance bad told no tales. "I have told her she must spend nil of her time up stairs alone for a week, taking her meals there, too. She will go to school of course, but that Is nil. I want her to see the awfiilness of It. I told her I didn't think ve wanted to eat with- a thief Just yet I I said we must get used to the Idea of It first. She Is heartbroken, but I must make her see It!" If you were In Prudence's place would you turn In and give Connie and the twins each a sound spanking as the most effective sort of punishment? (TO MS CONTINUED.) Pleasure In Well-Doing. Pleasure has a way of coming indi rectly where least you look for her and when least you expect her. She lurks In the hnppluoss of work weU done. She lingers In the consciousness of honest bookkeeping with life, and she always is to he found In the Joy of growth and progress. In all these ways honest pleasure Is to be found. This Isn't meant to be n dull preach ment against nuythlug but work. But It does mean to say that happiness Ilea In doing aud the consciousness of welldoing. Missouri's Lead Output. The demand from Europe lu 1H13 for lead to be used for war purposes caused the output of Missouri mines to break all previous records 111 the quantity of lend ore placed on the mur ke( that year, the amount being l'jfi.- 684 tous In smelted or refined shapO, which was worth 51S,:tSt),;.!kl, or Just about enough to build mid equip an up-to-date dreaduauglit for the United States navy. Cane Nearly Century Old. Wil.lmu A. J. Giles of Concord, .. 11.. bought a eon In nu auction shop. some weeks ago, to help Rim In his lameness. He supposed It was an or- nnry cane, but William H. Hards, when Inspecting It, pulled off the han dle, and with It n steel blade about 18 Inches In length. On the blade was en graved the words: "William Mattocks, June 2, 1SK." FISIIINC with cormorants is not entirely foreign to the English people, us curly lu the seven teenth century It w as common ly doue in Old England, where the master of cormorants was -one of the Officers of the royal household. In Japan this way of fishing has been practiced merely for economic pur poses, not for sporting ones as It was In England, says Klyoshi Sakamoto lu nu article in Country Life. Its origin here dates. Indeed, from as far back as (SCO H. C. ; that Is conclusively proved by the "uta " composed by. very enrly Japanese pools. In ancient timet civilization came Into Japan from China, but I think this utilization of the "feathered fishers" must have been exported, on the contrary, to the middle kingdom, for there Is documen tary evidence lu China to show that It was first practiced there early In the sixteenth century. In Japan this practice has been safe ly handed down to (he present day, protected by the law laid down by lyeynsu (the first Shogun of the Tokugawa dynasty), that prohibited anything that would be likely to hinder the practice of the fishing. There Is another reason why the operation, though primitive In its way, Is still carried out In our country. The bird has by instinct the faculty of choosing the fish which are the best as table delicacies. The fish caught by the cormorant nre far more delicious than those secured by any other method. The Imperial household department, with a view to protecting (his old practice of fishing, pays now 25 yens or 20 yen per year as pension to the professional fishers, und offers them free access to the dead pine trees In (he imperial forests ns fuel for the braziers. The cormorant Is chiefly used In Ja pan to catch nyu (literally, "fragrant fish"), which Is a kind of sweet fish, and Is known to Ichthyologists as plecoglossus nllivells T. and S. Some of them measure more than a foot In length, but generally 0 or 7 inches. The season for the fishing is from May to October, during which time rivers are visited by the smnll migratory fish. As to the nyu, Mr. C. Ingram states : "The Japanese epicures praise the nyu very highly as a table dellcucy, though It must be admitted that fhe uneducated occidental palate usually falls to detect Its culinary merits; In fact, when I tasted It I thought It compared rather unfavorably with the smelt, n fish it superficially resembles." I am (old that a great number of the nyu caught in the lllver Nugara nre sent every summer to the Imperial household through the local governor, ns boiled nyu Is one of the Mikado's favorite dishes. Birds Not Hard to Train. The cormorant (the best species for the purpose Is phalncrocorax cnplllnt- us) Is apparently not very hard to train. The young bird Is caught In w inter, mid Is snld to be entirely tamed In two weeks. It dikes, however, just two years to enable It to render satis factory services to the keeper. While the bird Is being tamed the keeper binds Its beak with a cord, so thai It may not hurt him. We Ienrn that It was formerly the custom In England to carry the bird hooded till it' could be used for fishing, by which means It was kept quiet. The operation Is usually carried out on dark nights, us the birds can do no good on bright moonlight ones, for the Hsh can clearly see the enemy, and, moreover, the braziers, which are Intended to attract the Hsh, are of no avail. The fishing boat Is very much like the Venetian gondola, and carries four fishermen, one of whom stands on the bow using V2 cormorants, another1 in the middle using four birds, and the remaining two control the boat with poles. Generally one cormorant catches seven or eight nyu every time. How the Fishing Is Done. To begin with the fishermen take the birds out one by one from the cage and put round the neck a small metal ring, which presses a part of the gullet so that any Hsh (except tiny ones) swallowed may not reach the bird's stomach. Then (hey attach n long string to the bird, which they hold In the baud. During tjie fishing season the birds nre never fed in the duytim'e so ns to enable them lo pursue the fish with furious activity owing to hunger, which Is appeased by tiniest fishes swallowed upright, as the band is loosely 'fastened. It requires, Indeed, great skill and dexterity on the part of the fishermen to control the cords with out getting hopelessly entangled. He must, moreover, encourage the birds' movements and nnxiously watch them, for when they have completely filled their gullets they swim Idly upon the surface. It is almost incredible to those who have not seen the operation what activity the bird displays under water in quest of its prey, and In a shallow part of the river a fish rarely escapes the bird's keeu eyes and sud den turns, unless It takes refuge un der a stone or In the mud. The bird then returns to its keeper, and a little manipulation of Its neck effects the delivery of the booty. It may then be let loose again to recommence Its thankless task. Generally five or seven of the fish ing boats are ut work In company, making a line that usually extends across the river. The fishermen's torches miike the scene so bright that one would think the river was on fire, and it is sometimes full of boats with spectators, who come from the nelgh loiing districts to enjoy the picturesque sight ns well as the evening cool. ' Vhcn thd Canadian Fox Industry. A very Inrge number of fox skins are being taken off by the ranchers of the Chiuiottetown district, writes Consul Wlllinm A. Pierce, Charlotte town, Prince Edward Island. Canadn. Fills will continue until the end of the killing season 111 January. The pelt of the Prince Edward Island black fox reaches prime condition (or length, luster, and thickness about December Lending fur buyers of New York und Loudon, who have recently visited the island, have spoken highly of the ranch-bred fox pelts. Values up to 11,900 have been placed on single skins. Quite a number of this year's pups will be kept and ranched for another breeding season, but most of the ranch ers will pelt the equivalent (lu num ber) of this year's production. Ap proximately $30,000,000 Is Invested here In foxes. Few companies or ranch ers have paid dividends for two years. The market Is still much holow prices of former years for breeding pairs. Figure carefully compiled by authori ties give 4,000 pups as the I9UI pro duction for Prince Edward island Lost Art of Traveling. Traveling went out with railway We are all tourists now, and (ourlsts who come home with tides of the chef at the Metropole and the rifling of one's boxes on those Mediterranean lines. When Dante and Chaucer, Frolssart or Cellini traveled In Eu rope, they had a far harder task ; but they really lived among the people they visited. Milton only traveled once In Italy, aud Voltaire only came once to Englund; and Goethe, Byron and Shelley never saw n tenth part of the countries that any Oxford tutor scampers across in a few vucatlous But these men took time, took pains, found means to be admitted Into the societies they met, and lived long enough In each place to saturate them selves with Its spirit. Frederic Harri son, jir at Hard to Reach. Some men's meanness consists their stinginess with their means. When they give ud their they will be wllllnir to irlve Oil in, it-.- of their means. Such men. however are pretty hard to convert. FOSS-WINSHIP HARDWARE COMPANY O. V. B. Cutlery HARDWARE Universal Ranges Big 3 Washers. All O. V. B. Goods Guaranteed Barrett Building, Athena, Oregon ESTABLISHED 1865 Preston-Shaffer Milling Co. AMERICAN BEAUTY FLOUR Is made in Athena, by Athena Labor, in one of the very best equipped Mills in the Northwest, of the best selected Bluestem wheat grown anywhere. Patronize home industry. 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