The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-29
THE LAST BISCUIT.

Kiss, Oil kiss nay lips againl #.
se---------------
THE LAST BISCUIT.
r. From the Rural New Yorker
Prudence Holmes sat alone in thD
wide shady kitchen, busily engaged il
picking over Whortleberries. Withou
the golden sunshine of an August after
noon bathed the green fields and dusty
road that, wound away to the village, anl
touched with richer color tbs nasturti.
ums, sweet peas, geraniums and zinnias
in the tiny garden, and the heavy Vir
gina creeper that climbed and bios
somed above the door. Prudence made
! a pretty picture as she sat on a low crick
ct, with big calico apron spread over
her blue-sprigged muslin ress to defend
| it from the stains that had soiled her little
brown hands. She was APPETITE, daintily-
rounded maiden of eighteen, with great
dark eyes and glossy curls shading a
fair brow and cheeks that had a. touch OF
wild-rose bloom upon them. The kitchen.
too, such pretty picture, with its WE'LL
secured floor and dresser, its asparagus
topped clock, its shining stove, with
punches OF herbs hung behind, aud the
great bouquet of vivid cardinal flowers
set on the snowy table. The kitchen
was perfectly still save the buzz of the
| flies and the click of the clock; and out
| side the cricket and the locusts alone
had disturbed the peace. Prudence be-
llieyed that every one in the house was
asleep but herself, and yawned somewhat
wearily as she tossed over the berries,
| finishing the yawn with bit OF soliIo-
guy uttered half aloud.
eOh, dearl this having summer board.
ers isn't very nice."
/
| doorway SO suddenly that Prudence
nearly upset her berries in her surprise.
| .Oh, Mr.. Wentworth, is it you?' she
said, bashfully, bendingdown to pick up
| few berries that had rolled down from
her apron.
"Pll pick 'em upl' exclaimed the new.
conner, a tall and rather aristocratic
looking youth of twenty -one, with merry
| blue eyes, short auburn air curling
closely under straw hat--diving tor the
missing berries with ungraceful DEXTER
tity. ''Yes, itis l, of course. Have you
| forgotten your promise to 20 after lilies
with me this atternoon?'
| sob, but / didn't say this afternoon,
tyou know; only some afternoon of this
week. responded Prudence, demurely
"Well, we will call it this afternoon
won't Wep' was the persuasive re.
Ijoinder, as the straw hat was tossed on
a chair.
II can't; I've got these berries to pick
over"
"Pll help you. Lend me half that
apron, and Wen have them done in a
trice."
"But I shall have supper to get.
Mothers away, and there are biscuit to
make" insisted Prudence, turning her
face away to hide a smile that would
curve her lips.
"Never mind that,n responded Mr..
Abbott Wentworth, bringing chair to
her SIDE. Teas at ., isn't it? and its
only 2:30. Well be back by s, without
Ifai, and have time to get half the lilies
ia the RIVER" and he began to assort q
handful OF berries with much earnest,
fness, .....--. ..
| ."W-e-ll," assented Prudence, after q
pause for consideration and a glance al
| the clock, II can 20 for a little while,
perhaps. Oh! don't stain your coat, Mr..
| Wentworth"
But Mr.. wentworth was sublimely in
different to his coat, and worked with
such good will that the berries were
soon picked over, and Prudence and
himself on their way TO the river. Five
minutes later Prudence, with her dra.
peries daintily bestowed around her
/
which, propelled by Mr.. Wentworth'i
practiced hand, shot swiftly down
stream. Although Mr.. Wentworth SAID
to Prudence five times within an houl
that it was a lovely day, and although
Prudence assented every time, / hardly
tthink they appreciated the beauty
around them, for Prudence was quite
absorbed in the lilies and the reflections
in the water, and Mr.. Wentworth looked
more at his companion than at the as
pect of nature. They had gathered
jeneugh lilies to satisfy them, and Pru
dence was leaning backward and idly
trailing one hand in the water, when
she suddenly uttered y little scream
and sat erect, with white cheeks, from
which the color had been frightened,
sob, L almost lost i'll How careless
ami" she, exclaimed, replacing an old.
fashioned ring, set with tiny circle oil
lrubles, on her finger.
"Dld the water sweep 1t off your
lhaudTv q =
IL suppose SO. It's too large for me
I'm always losing IL and nndiRs it again
/ wouldn't lose 1t entirely for the world;
lbecause 10 used 10. be grandmotlref,s 8.
She gave it to naeD ,s~ ssrq,s. N. -
1 "Whata curious old ring itisr' said
lMr. Wentworth, with interest. MAY
FLOCK at ltI Dent trouble yourself &c
Stake it OFF, he added, drawing his oars
and leaning toward his companion. Pru
dence allowed her tiny brown hand to Lie
in his aristocratic white one moment
then coquettishIy withdrew it.
"lsTt itprettyW she inquired, archly
lssVery pretty. shall tell you how "a
guard against losing " in the. futurep'
"Oh, Yes; IL you piease.', 4sssst "a s,,ll' IL
"Wear this little ring Of mine 60 guard
it; or, better yet, exchange with me
lGive nae yours and take this instead p
said the young man, daringIy. Pfovek
ling Prudence looked at che heavily,
chased gold ring he held OUT TO her, aiie
then looked back at the water with al
linnocents "Oh, don't think it would
tfit." A.,.-. Vi
softly. .s.7E u LII. .1.i ig
l Prudence shook her head, but finall,
lagreed, blushiagfy, that it would do NJ
harm TO try, anu slipped the ring on lel
fdretnger. ~. =. if -,
i .Ips . perfect ftp cried Mr.. Went
worth, delightedly. "Nothinx could bt
better. Why, Miss Prudence, you sure
iy don't mean to give 1t baci;?D
sOf course do,D WAS the saucy ro
tjoinder. "Why not?w