Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-09-12
A Summer Esoarder.


wide, shady kitchen, busily engaged in
''picking over" whortleberries. With.
out the golden sunshine of an August af-
ternOOn bathed the green fields and the
dusty road that wound away tC the vii
lage, and touched with richer color to
the nasturtiums, sweet peas, geraniums,
and Zinnias in the tiny garden, and the
heavy Virginia creeper that climbed and
blOssOmcd above the door Prudence
made a pretty picture as she sat on a
low cricket, with a big calico apron
spread over her blue-sprigged muslin
dress to defend it from the stains that
had sOiled her little brown hands. She
was a petite, daintily rounded maiden of
eighteen. with great dark eyes, and
glossy curls shading Il fair brow. and
checks that had a touch of wild-rosc
bloom upon them. The kitchen, too.
made 4 pretty picture. with its well
secured floor and dresser. its asparagus
topped clock, its shining stove. with
punches of herbs hung behind it. and the
great bouquet Of vivid cardinal flowers,
set on the snowy table.
The kitchen was perfectly still. save
the buzz of flies and the tick of the
clock: and outside the crickets and the
lOcusts alone disturbed the silence.
Prudence believed that everyone in the
house was asleep but herself, and yawn-
ed somewhat wearily as she tossed over
the berries, finishing the yawn with a
bit of sOlilOquy uttered half aloud:
''Oh dear this having summer board
ers isn't very nicC."
Miss Prudence" said a voice in the
doorway. 50 suddenly that Prudence
nearly upset her berries in surprise.
"Oh, Mr. Wentworth, is it you?" she
said. bashfuly. bending down to pick
up a few berries that had rolled from
her apron.
Yes ii is |, of course, " exclaimed the
new comcr-a tall and rather aristOcrat-
ic looking youth of twcDty-one. with
merry blue eyes. ane short auburn hair
curling closely under a straw hat
''Havc you forgotten your promise to 90
after lilies with me this afternoon =
"Ob. but didn't say this afternoon.
you know; only some afternoon this
week :" responded Prudence. demurcly.
wei. wen call it this afternoon,
won't we 2" was the persuasive rciOin-
der. rs the straw hat was tossed on
chair.
= can't; I've got these berries to pick
over"
IN help You. Lend me half that
apron. and well have them done in
tricc."
But shall have supper to get.
Mothers away. and there are biscuits to
make, insisted Prudence. turning her
face away to hide a smile that would
curve her lips,
Never mind that" responded Mr.
Abbott Wentworth, bringing a chair to
her side. Teas at SIX, isn't il : and it's
only half-past two. Wen be back by
fire without fail, and have time to get
half the lilies in the river" and he be-
gan to assOrt q handful Of herries with
much earnestnoss.
''W-c-H,' asscnted Prudence. after a
pause for consideration, and a glance at
the clOck-'I can 90 for a little while.
perhaps. Oh, don't stain your coat, Mr..
Wentworth.
But Mr.. Wentworth was sublimelyiin-
different to his coat. and worked with
such good will that the berries We're
soon picked over. and Prudence and
himself We're on their way to the river.
Five minutes later Prudence with her
draperies daintily bestowed around her
was seated in the stern of a little boat.
which propelled by Mr. Wentworths
practiccd hands, shot swiftly down the
stream.
Although Mr. Wentworth said to Pru-
dcnCe five times within one hour. that it
was n lovely dav.a although Prudence
asscntcd every time. hardly think they
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 sat
isfy them. and Prudence was leaning
backward and idly trailing one hand in
the water, when she suddenly uttered a
little scream, and sat erect, with white
checks, from which the color had been
frightened.
''Oh, I almost lost it How careless I
ann she exclaimed, replacing an old
fashioned ring, set with tiny circle of
rubies, on her finger.
Did the water sweep it off your
hand r
Il suppose so. It's too large for me.
I'm always lOOsing and finding it again.
hDttAAAA4 i'''-t II 1hbA tAlt VI ia
it used to be grandmother's. She gave
it to me.
.'What a curious old ring it is" said
Mr.. Wentworth. with interest. May ]
look at it ? Don't trouble yourself TO
take ii off, " he added. drawing in his
oars and leaning toward his cOmpani-
on.
Prudence allowed her tiny brown
land to lie in his aristocratic white one
! moment, then coquettishly withdrew
isn't it pretty" she inquired archly. |
VERY pretty. Shall | tell you how /
. guard against loosing it in the fu- /
ure 2"
"Oh yes. if you please"
''Ncar this little ring Of mine to /
guard it or, better yet, exchange with !
ne Give me yours, and take this in .
tead, said the young man daringly.
Prudence looked at the heavily chased /
yold ring he held out to her, and then .
OOked back at the water with an innO- /
cent
"Oh, don't think it would fit"
TRY it," suggested her companion
oftly. !
Prudence shook her head, but finally I
greed, blushingly, that it would do no
larm to try, and slipped the ring on Der
orefnger.
"It's perfect fit I" cried Mr.. Went
worth. delightedly Nothing could be
Detter. Why Miss Prudence, you surely
Ion't mean to give it back 2"
'Of course / do. was the sancy re-
oinder. 'Why not ?"
Because, said Mr. Wentworth, speak )
ng very earnestly. and disregarling his
ars altogether. while he tried to get
limpse of the face hidden by the flat bat
because | meant to ask you to wear
always for my sake. l meant to ask
-ou-"
'Oh, Mr.. Wentworth, cried his listen
r here ''do see that lily on your left
Won't you get it for me p
Prudence's face was turned away and
er head bent lower and lower. A Grim