Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-10
NO. 267.
Misfeltat,eons.
EXCHANGING RINGS.

shady kitchen, busily engaged in 'pick-
ing over" whortleberries. Without, the
golden sunshine on dusty road that
wound away to the village, and touched
with richer color the nasturtiums, sweet.
peas, geraniums, and zinnias in the
tiny garden. and the heavy Virginia creep
er that climbed and blossomed above the
door. Prudence made a pretty picture as
she sat on a low cricket, with big calico
apron spread over her blue-sprigged mus
lin dress to defend it from the stains that
had soiled her little brown hands. She
was petite, daintily rounded maiden of
eighteen, with great dark eyes, and glossy
curls shading fair brow, and cheeks that
had touch of wild-rose bloom upon them.
The kitchen, too, made pretty picture,
with its well-scoured floor and dresser, its
asparagus-topped clock, its shining stove,
with punches of herbs behind it. and the
great bouquet of vivid cardinal flowers set
on the snowy table.
The kitchen was perfectly still, save the
buzz of the flies and the tick of the clock;
and outside the crickets and the locusts
alone disturbed the silence. Prudence be-
lieved that every one in the house was
asleep but herself, and yawned somewhat
wearily as she tossed over the berries, fin
ishing the yawn with bit of soliloquy
uttered half aloud:
"Oh, dear! this having summer board
ers isn't very nice y
"Miss Prudence" said voice in the
doorway, SO suddenly that Prudence near
ly upset her berries in her surprise.
"Oh, Mr.. Wentworth, is it you ?n she
said bashfully, bending down to pick up
few berries that had rolled from her apron.
IN pick 'em up" exclaimed the new
comer-a tall and rather arstocratic-look-
ing youth of twenty-one, with merry blue
eyes, and short auburn hair curling close
ly under straw hat-diving for the miss
ing berries with ungraceful dexterity.
"1es, it is |, of course. Have you forgot
ten your promise TO go after lilies with me
this afternoon ?"
'Oh. but | didn't say this afternoon,
you know only some afternoon this week, "
responded Prudence, demurely.
well, Wen call it this afternoon, won't
we?' was the persuasive rejoinder as the
straw hat was tossed on a chair.
81 can't, I've got these berries to pick
over"
''Fll help you. Lend me half that apron,
and we'll have them done in a trice.n
''But | shall have supper to get. Moth
er's away, and there are biscuits to make"
insisted Prudence, turning her face away
to hide smile that would curve her lips.
"Never mind that" responded Mr.. Alb
bott Wentworth, bringing chair to her
side. Teas at six isn't it and it's only
half past two. Wen be back by five,
without fail, and have time to get half the
lilies in the river" and he began to assort
handful of berries with much earnest
ness.
Well" assented Prudence, after
pause for consideration and glance at
the clock-''l can go for little while,
perhaps. "Oh, don't stain yonr coat, Mr..
Wentworth"
But Mr.. Wentworth was sublimely in
different to his coat, and worked with such
goodwill that the berries were soon picked
over, and Prudence and himself on their
way to the river Five minutes later.
Prudence, with her draperies daintily be-
slowed around her. was seated in the stern
of little boat, which propelled by Mr..
Wentworth's practiced hands, shot swiftly
down stream.
Although Mr.. Wentworth said to Pru-
dence five times within an hour that it was
lovely day, and although Prudence as
sented every time, hardly think they ap-
precated the beauty around them, for
Prudence was quite absorbed with the
lilies and the reflections in the water, and
Mr.. Wentworth looked more at his COM
panion than at the aspects of nature.
They had gathered enough lilies to satisfy
them, and Prudence was Leading back
ward and idly trailing one hand in the
water, when she suddenly uttered little
scream and sat erect, with white cheeks,
from which the color had been frightened
''Oh, | almost lost it How careless l
!" she exclaimed, replacing an fold
fashioned ring, set with tiny circle of
rubies, on her finger
"Did the water sweep it off your hand Pr
IL suppose so. It's too large for me.
I'm always losing it off and finding it
again. | wouldn't lose it entirely for the
world. because it used to be grandmoth-
er's. She gave it to me-"
"What "a curious old ring it is said
Mr.. Wentworth with interest MAY l
look at it Don't trouble yourself to take
it off,, he added, drawing in his oars and
leaning towards his companion.
Prudence allowed her tiny brown hand to
lie in his aristocractic white one mo-
ment, then coquettishly withdrew it."
Isn't it pretty ?" she inquired archly.
"Very pretty Shall tell you how to
guard against losing it in the future ?"
"Oh yes, II you please"
"Wear this little ring of mine to guard
it or better yet, exchange with me. Give
me yours, and take this instead" said the
young man daringly.
Provoking Prudence looked at the heay-
lily chased gold ring he held out to her,
and then looked back at the water with an
innocent, "Oh, don't think it would tit"
Try it," suggested her companion
softly.
Prudence shook her head. but finally
agreed, blushingly, ''that it would do no
harm to try, and slipped the ring on her
forefinger.
Its perfect fit - cried Mr.. Went
worth, delightedly. Nothing could be
better. Why, Miss Prudence, you surely
don't mean to give it backa'
"Of course / do, was the saucy re-
joinder .'Why not?"
.'Because," said Mr.. Wentworth, speak