Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-11-10

PRUDENCE lace was tuIHeu away hNi
head bent lower and lower. A crimson
flush stole over her ear, neck and chm
..Prudencer
No answer. Her companion leaned
over and took her hand again, vcnturously.
prudence, will you wear the ring he
questioned softly.
But the hand was hastily drawn away
a pair of saucy black eyes flashed INTO MS
own and Prndence,s merry laugh rang
over the water.
ard rather have grandma's please. |
ouobt 10 ro home, Mr.. Wentworth, for
know it's almost tea-time."
Mr.. Wentworth put his ring in his peck
ct. and took up the oars again energetic
ally without a word. He was fresh from
college, and had held the stroke oar in
many race, but he never made better
time than he made that afternoon in row.
ing ND the river. The light boat shot
along. with the rower's brow knitted and
his teeth set. Not once did he look at
Prudence, who set IN half-puzzled, half
alarmed silence, now and then stealing
sidewise chances at the offended young
Hercules from under her hat.
Mr., Wentworth drew a breath of relief
when the boat at last grated on the sand.
and having assisted Prudence to land, and
CURLY offered to carry her lilies, he Shout
dered the oars and marched grimly toward
the house by her side. Prudence, some
what bewildered and more angry, made
no effort to break the silence, and studi-
ously endeavored to 'skeep from crying"
When at last he left her at the door with a
cool s.Thank you, Miss Prudence" and
departed to carry the oars to the barn, it
was we'll he did not look back, for Miss
Prudence tossed the lilies aside with a
petulant gesture, and had fit of crying
with her head on the kitchen table.
When Mr.. Wentworth returned from
the barn half an hour later, he did see a
picture that comforted him little through
the hop-wreathed pantry window. 1t was
Prudence with her sleeves pinned up.
moulding biscuits with desperate haste.
while the tears fell thickly on her high cal
leo apron. This picture so amazed Mr..
Wentworth that he retreated hastily be-
hind lilac-bush to observe il, and fingered
SO long that he was late at tea.
There was model supper-table. There
was the great dish of berries with snowy
cream beside, flanked by cheese and
raspberry jam. There were two NOUN
famous plates of snowy biscuits, contrast
ing with the golden sponge-cake and the
richer gold of butter. Mr.. Wentworth
who had supposed he should never have
an appetite again, felt quite revived by the
sight Of this table and the memory of the
picture. The rest of the boarders seemed
to share the sensation, for the group of
muslin and broadcloth was very hilarious,
and the eatables disappeared rapidly. Pru-
dence, presiding between the tea-pots,
seemed rather out of spirits but Father
Holmes atoned for her silence by unusual
jollity.
When the biscuits were passed second
time to Mr.. Wentworth he saw that only
one was left, and would have refused de-
corously, but the hospitable farmer press
ed it upon him.
.Don't be afraid of it. There's plenty
more in the kitchen-ain't there, Pru-
dence P"
Thus pressed, MIR. Wentworth accepted
the biscuit, and Prudence disappeared TO
replenish the plate. Mr.. Wentworth di-
vided the biscuit, then dropped it sudden
ly, with an exclamation that brought
every eye upon him. There imbedded in
the light, white bread, lay Prudence's
ruby ring!
Such shout of laughter arose that it
brought Prudence back from the kitchen
in haste, just in time to see Mr.. Went
worth coolly remove the ring from the
biscuit, amidst the merry chorus, and
drop it in his waiscoat pocket, "to be kept
till called for" he said, with a significant
glance at her scarlet face
Poor Prudence there was no peace for
her after that. An army of jokes quite
overwhelmed her protestations and dis
claimings, and she was thankful to beat q
retreat to the kitchen when the meal was
over. But even there she was pursued by
laughing trio of ladies, and harrassed
with questions and wonderment and mer-
riment until the last dish was set away,
and she had seized her hat, with the ex-
cuse that she must 60 to the village for
letters. Instead of going to the village,
however, she stole along the hedge.
climbed the wall, and ran to the farthest
end of the orchard, where she flung her
self on the ground, and cried as ii her
heart would break.
She had, perhaps. cried half an hour be-
fore step, crushing the dry grass at her
side, reused her, and the very voice she
most dreaded to hear said,
1--WE come to return your ring, Miss
Prudence"
Poor little Prudence sat up hastily, and
took the unfortunate ring with faltering
Thank you j" then Immediately hid her
face again.
"You needn't thank me, should have
brought it before, but couldn't find you
hope you are not troubled about those
ridiculous jokes" he added dignifedy.
"N-no," responded Prudence, miser-
ably, between her sobs. I'll thought
you'd think l did it on p-purpose."
"How conld / have thought so? 1t was
a mere accident my getting that particu-
lar biscuit I'm very sorry you've been
so annoyed in this way. I'm going away
tomorrow, Miss Prudence"
The sobs partially ceased, and Prudence
said supposedly, 'are you?"
won't you bid me good-bye?"
Prudence said, Eyes" unsteadily, but
did not raise her head
You will shake hands, won't you, Miss
Prudence ?"
No answer
al can't tya axyav while yoi, o,o nff,.,,J