Connecticut western news., 1871-09-15

der. WI ny not z!
 6 Because, said MT. Wentworth, speak ing very earnestly, and disregarding his oars altogether, while he tried to get a glimpse of the face hidden by the flat hat -'' because meant to ask you to wear it always for my sake. meant to ask you" '
 "Oh, MT. Wentworth" ;" cried his listener here. "do you see that lily on your left l! Won't you get it for me ?" ..a .a-
 "I'l get you that and twenty others if you'll listen to me first. Do you care for me, Prudence ? Will you marry me ?" { Prudence's face was turned away, and her head bent lower and lower. A crimson flush stole over ear, neck, and chin.
 "Prudence p y- E ..t. -s,.-. l....
 No answer. Her companion leaned over and took her hand again, vcnturonsly. he questioned softly. ''--' .r' -'''' D
 But the hand was hastily drawn away ; pair of saucy black eyes flashed into his own, and Prudence's merry laugh ran over the water.
 "Td rather have grandma's please. I ought to go home, Mr. Wentworth, for know it's almost tea-time."
 MT. Wentworth put his ring in his pocket, and took up the oars again ener- geticaliy without word. He was fresh from college, and had held the stroke oar in many a race, but he never made better time than he made that afternoon in row ing up the. river. The light boat shot along, with the rower's brows knitted and his teeth set. Not once did he look at Prudence, who sat in half-puzzled, half alarmed silence, now and then stealing sidewisc glances at the offended young Hercules from under her hat. -r-,. MT. Wentworth drew breath of relief when the boat at last grated on the sand, and having assisted Prudence to land, and curtly offered to carry her lilies, he shoul- dered the oars and marched grimly toward what bewildered and more angry, made no effort to break the silence, and studi- ously endeavored to keep from crying" When he at last left her at the door, with a cool "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. It was Prudence, with her sleeves pinned up, moulding biscuits with desperate haste, while the tears fell thickly on her high calico apron. This picture so amazed MT. Wentworth that be retreated hastily be- hind lilac-bush to observeit and fingered so long that he was late at tea.
 That was model supper-table. There was the great dish of berries with snowy cream beside, flanked by cheese and rasp- berry jam. There were two mountainous plates of snowy biscuits, contrasting with tie golden sponge cake and the richer gold | of butter. MT. Wentworth, who had sup posed 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 eat ables disappeared rapidly. Prudence, pre- siding between the tea pots, seemed rather out of spirits but Farmer Holmes atoned for her silence by unusual jollity.
 When the biscuits were passed second time to MT. Wentworth he saw that only one was left, and would have refused decorously, but the hospitable farmer pressed it upon hlm.
 "Don't be afraid of it. There's plenty more in the kitchen-ain't there, Pru. dence 2"
 Thus pressed, MT. Wentworth accepted the biscuit, and Prudence disappeared tc replenish the plate. MT. Wentworth divided the biscuit, then dropped it sud | hot every eye upon him. There, imbedded 1T the light, white bread, lay Prudence ruby ring a..,..
 Such a shout of laughter arose that il brought Prudence back from the kitchen in haste. just in time to see MT. Wentworth coclly remove the ring from the biscuit amidst the merry chorus, and drop it in his waistcoat pocket, to be kept till called for," he said, with significant glance al her scarlet face.
 Poor Prudence! there was no peace fol her after that. An army of jokes quite overwhelmed her protestations and dis claimings, and she was thankful to beat { retreat to the kitchen when the meal wa. over But even there she was pursued by laughing trio of ladies, and harassed witt questions and wonderment and merriment until the last dish was set away, and shs had seized her hat, with the excuse that she must go to the village for letters. In stead of going to the village, however, she stole along the hedge, climbed the wall, anc ran to the farthest end of the orchard where she flung herself on the ground, ane cried as if her heart would break. , She had, perhaps, cried half an hour be fore step, crushing the dry grass at hel side, reused her, and the very voice sh. 7 most dreaded to hear said,
 "I've come to return your ring, Mis- Prudence"
 l Poor little Prudence sat up hastily, ant took the unfortunate ring with falterins l "Thank you;" then immediately hid he
 face again.
 "You needn't thank me. Tshould hay, = brought it before, but I couldn't find you hope you're not troubled about thos,
 ridiculous jokes" he added, dignitiedly. "N-no," responded Prudence, miserably }. between her sobs. "I-I thought you't !. think did it on p-purpose."
 ], "How could l have thought SO I e was mere accident my getting that par
 ticnlar biscuit. Pm very sorry you'v 3 been so annoyed in this way. Pm goin' away tomorrow. Miss Prudence" e The sobs partially ceased, and Prudenc d said, surprisedly, "Arc you ?' -
 "Won't you hid me good-by ?" 5 ] Prudence said, "Yes," uusteadily, bu l. did not raise her head.
 "You will shake hands, won't you, Mis- :. Prudence 2" ..- ot No answer. s..t
 "I can't go away while you are offende
 with me. Won't you at least tell me wh you are crying 2"
 ). " Because IT lost my grandmother d ring" sobbed Prudence, making gres
 effort for composure.
 '- MT. Wentworth laughed in spite of hin