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

iethooh I'D rowing up the river The
light boat shot along and the rower's
brOws were knitted and his teeth were
set. Not once did he look at Prudence
who sat in half-puzzled, half alarmed ST
/ lence, now and then stealing sidewise
| glanceS at the offended younger Her
/ culcs from under her hat
Wentworth drew a 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
/ shOuldercd the oars and marched primIy
/ towards the house bv her side. Prudence
/ somewhat bcWildered and more angry
/ made an effort to break the silence and
/ studiOusly endeavOred TO '.keeD from
/ crying. When hc at last left her at the
/ door, with a cool Thank YOU. Miss Pm
/ dence, and departed to carry the oars
/ 10 the barn, It was well he did not look
/ back, for Prudence tossed the lilies
/ aside with a petulant gesture. and had a
/ fit of crying with her head on the kitch-
/ en- table
When Mr.. Wentworth returned from
/ the barn half an hour later he did see a
| picture that cOmfOrted him a little.
! through the hop leafed pantry window.
/ It was Prudence with her sleeves pinned
| up, moulding biscuit with desperate
haste. while the tears fell thiczlv on her
| high calico apron. This picture SO
amazed EIr. Wentworth that he retreat
ed hastily behind a lilac bush TO observe
il. and fingered so long that he was late
at tea
This was "A model supper table There
was the great dish Of berries with snowy
cream beside. fianked by vcheeseand rasp-
berry jam. There were two mountain
Gus plates of snowy biscuits. contrast
ing the golden sponge cake and the rich
er 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 br0adclOth was very
hilarious and the catables disappeared
rapidly. Prudence presiding between
the tea pots. seemed rather ont Of spir-
its, bat father Holmes atoned for her ST
lence by unusual jolity.
When the biscuits were passed a sec
ond time 10 hIr. Wentworth he saw that
only one was left, and would have re
fused dccorously. but the hOspitable far
mcr pressed it upon him.
Don't be afraid Of II. There's plenty
more in the kitchcn-ain't there, Pru-
dence Z"
Thus pressed, Mr.. Wentworth accept
ed the biscuit, and Prudence disappear
ed TO Tcplenish the plate Mr.. Went
worth divided the biscuit, then dropped
it suddenly, with an exclamation that
brought every eye upon him. There,
imbedded in the light. white bread, lay
Prudenccs ruby ring.
Such a shout Of laughter arose that it
brought Prudence back from the kitch-
en- in haste. just in time to see Mr.. Went
worth cody remove the ring from the
biscuit, amidst the merry chorus, and
drop it in his waistcOat pocket, to keep
till called for, 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 pr0testations and
disclaimings, and she was thankful to
beat a retreat To the kitchen when the
meal was over. But even there she was
pursued by a laughing trio Of ladies, and
harrassed with questions and wonder
ment and merTiment until the last dish
was set away, and she had seized her
hat, with the excuse that she must 90 TO
the village for letters. Instead Of going
TO the village, however, she stole along
the hedge. climbed the wall. and ran to
the farthesJ end Of the orchard where
she flung herself on the ground and cried
as if her heart would break. She had,
perhaps. cried half an hour before a step.
crushing the dry grass at her side, rous-
ed her, and the very voice she most
dreaded to hear said
I've come TO return your ring. Miss
Prudence"
Poor little Prudence sat up hastily,
and took the unfortunate ring with
faltering thank you," then immediate
ly hid her face again.
You needn't thank me. | should
have brought it before. but | couldn't
find you. l hope you're not troubled
about these ridiculous jokes, he added,
dignifedly.
''N-no," responded Prudence, miser-
ably, between her sObs. II thought
you'd think | did it Oh purpose.
How could / have thought so? ii
was a mere accident my getting that par
ticular biscuit. ! am very sorry you've
been so annoyed in this way. I'm going
away tomorrow, Miss Prudence"
The sobs partially ceased, and PrU-
dencc said surprisedly Are y0u ?"
Won't you bid me good-by?"
Prudence said Yes, unsteadily, hut
did not raise her head
you will shake hands, won't you,
Miss Prudencc?'
No answer.
Il can't 90 away while you are offend
cd al me. Won't You al least tell me
why you are crying :"
because II lost my grandmOther.s
ring. sObbcd Prudence, making Il great
effort for cOmposure.
Mr.. Wentworth laughed in spite of
himself.
why, its safe on your finger, and not
a whit the worse for its baking. Is there
no other reason:'
'sN-Bo."
''But there is. ! shall never have an
other happy moment if I've offended
yOu," said Mr.. Wentworth, tragically.
Il was a brute to treat you as ] did this
afternoon but I'm going away and ]
shan't annoy You again. Won't YOU for
give me now and shake hands?"
Another long silence.
Mr.. Wentworth turned away in de-
spair, bat was detained 10y faltering
voice
It'll forgive YOU. if"
"Well. was the breaihless inteposi-
.ion.
'You-won't-go-
The more obseryant boarders noticed
1t breakfast next morning that Mr.. Alb
DOtt Wentworth wore the ring he had
found in the biscuit on the little finger
IF his left hand. and that PrHdencewore
! heavily chased gold circle in the place
If her lost ornament. To use the words
If the before-named boarders, That
els the whole story
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