, 1875-12-12
TIE LUCK OF THE LAST BIS
QUIT.

den. aud the heavy Vlrginia croeper that climbed
and blossomed aboye the door. Prudence made
u pretty picture a. she sat on low cricket, with
. 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
y petite, daintily-rounGed maiden Of 18. with
great dark eyes and glossy curls shading
fair brow and checks that had a. touch OF
xild-rose bloom upon them The kitchen, too;
such pretty picture With itB weIl-scoured floor
and dresser, its asparagus-topped clock, its shin
ing stove, with lunches OF herbs hung behind,
snd the great bouquet OF vivid cardinal flowers
yet on the snowy table. The kitchen ras per-
sectly still save the buzz OF the flies and tho
dick OF the clock and outside the cricket and
the iocusts alone disturbed the peace Prudence
believed that every one in the house WAS asleep
but. herself. and yawned somewhat YEARLY as
abe tossed over the berries, finishing tho yAwn
with bit OF eollloquy uttered half aloud;
"Oh, dear this having summcr boaEders isn't
very nlce!" 80
"Miss Prudence" said voice in tho doorway
40 suddenly that Prudence nearly upset her bef-
ries in: her surprise.
"Oh. Mr. Wentworth, is it yon?" she said.
bashfully, bending down to pick up few Der
rics that had rolled from her arroa.
It'll pick 'em up!" exclaimed tho now
comer,-a tMl and rather aristocrauc-fookin
youth Of q, With merry blue eyes, short auburn
hair curling closely under d straw hat,-divins
for the missing berries with ungraceful dexter1-
t.. Yes it is l. OF course. Have you for
gotten Your promise to so after lilies ~ash me-
this afternoon
"Oh. but didn't say this afternoon. you
know only some afternoon this week" re-
3Dnndca trldHDc0. dBnurglY.
WELL We will call it this afternoon, won't
vel" Was the persuasive rejoinder, as the straw
hat WIS tossed on chair.
IL can't; I've got these berries to pick over"
"1M help you. Lend me half that aprop, and
| we'll have them done in trica."
But I shall have supper to get Mothers
| away and theie arc biscuit to make, insisted
Prudence, turning hei fsce away to htde q snue
| that would curve her lips.
Never mind that" responded Mr. Abbott
| Wentworth. bringing char 10 her side. " Teas
ut 6, isn't it !? and it's cnly half-past 2 Wen
| b. back by s, without fail, and have time to
get half the lilies IN the river !; and be began 70
| assert handful OF berries with much earnest
! s.W-e-l-l," assented Prudence, after pause
for consideration aud glance a. the clock, II
eau 60 for little while, perhaps. Oh don STAN
| Your coat, Mr. Wentworth.
But Mr. Wentworth was sublimoly indifferent
to LIS coat and worked With such = good Will
| that tho berries we're soon picked over, and
Prudence and himself OH their way to the RIVER.
Five minutes later, Prudence, with her orape1ies
| daiutily bestowed around her. was seated IN tho
t stern Of little boat. which, propelled by Mr.
| Weptwotths practicel hand, shot swiftly down.
| stream. Although Mr.. Wentworth said to Pru-
| depce five limos within an hour that IL was .
lovely day, aud although PRUDENCE assenseo
| every tlme hardly think they appreciated the
| beauty around them, for Prudence ~ quite
| absorbed with the Lilies and the refect1ons IN
t1e water, and Mr. Wentworth looked more At his
| companion than at The aspect Of Nature. ihey
| had gathered enough lilies 10 satisfy them, and
| Prudence was leaning backward and idly railing
cue hand in tho water, when she suddenly Ut
| tered little scream, aad Sat erect, With white
| checks, from Which the color had been f1lGht-
ened- 49,
"Oh, almost lost i'll How careless 7 ami"
| she exclaimed, replacing an old-fasnloned ring,
set with tiny circle of rubies, on her finger @
| Did the water sWeap 1t of your hand T.
III suppose so. Is too large for me. I'm al
lose it entirely for the world, because it used to
be erandmother'e. She gave it to me-"
:sWhat curious old ring it isl" said Mr
| Wentworth, With interest. " May | LOOK At It
Don't trouble yourself TO taRo It OIL no aooeos
drawing his oars and leaning toward his compan-
ion. Prudence allowed her tiny brown hand to
| lio in his aristocratlc white one moment, then
coquettishly Withdrew IT..
" Isn't 1t pretty :" she inquired, srchly:
"Very pretty. Shall I tell you how to guard
| against losing It in the future T.
':Oh yes, il you please.
..Wear this little ring of mine to guard it or,
better vet exchange with me. Give me yours
and take this inatead," SAID the young m.n'
darlpsly. Provoking Prudence looked It the
heavily-chased gold ring be held out to her, and
then looked back at the sater with an innocent
:. Oh, don't think it would dt-"
..Try il" suggested her companion, softly.
I Prudence shook her head, but finally agreed
blushingy, that it would do no harm to try, and
| skin,,el the ring on her tOrehuReT.
aIt's perfect tit !" cried Mr. Wentworth
delightedIy. "Noshing could be better Why,
Miss Prudence. you surely don't mean to give 1t
back?"
!. OF cou1ae do" VAS the sauey rejoinder.
'sWhy not 2"
BECAUSE" said Mr. Wentworth, speaking
very earnestly and dlsregarding his oars alto
eether, while he tried to get a glimpse Ut the
fnee h leu BIZ the fiat hat, " because meant to
ask you to wear it always for my sake. 1 meant
"Oh. Mr. Wentworth" )" cried his listener here,
"do yon see that lily On your left-won't you
| get it for mef" m
IN ret you that and twenty others. if yon'n
listen to me- first. Do you cale for me, Prudence'
Will you marry mo ?"
prudence's face was turned away and her head
bent lower. 4 crimson flush stoio ovar ears,
| neck and chin.
| s'ITudeIce!"
No answer Her companion leaned over and
took her hand again. venturously.
.'Prudence, wll You wear the ring = no cues
| toned, softly.
But the hand was hastily drawn away . pair
| of saucy black eyes flashed into his own, and
Prudencs's merry lsugh rang over the water.
I'D rather have 9randma'a, please. ought
to go homo. mir. Wentwortb- for know it's a.
| most tea time"
Mr. Wentworth put his ring in bis pocket and
took up the oars again enerRetlcaily, without 9
VOID. He was fresh from college, and had hesa
the stroke oar in manv = race. but he neSe1