The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-12-29


ooh, I almost lost it! How care
less amp she exclaimed, replacing
an old-fashioned ring, set with tiny
circle of rubies, on her finger.
"Did the water sweep it of your
hand?"
q suppose SO. It's too large for
me. I'm always losing it and find
ing it again. ] wouldn't lose it en-
tirely for the world, because it used
to be grandmother's. She gave it
to me-"
"What a curious old ring it isr'
said Mr.. Wentworth, with interest.
MAY | look at it? Don't trouble
yourself to take it off, he added,
drawing his oars and leaning toward
his companion. Prudence allowed
her tiny brown hand to lie in his
aristocratic white one q moment,
then coquettishIy withdrew it.
"Isn't it pretty?' she inquired,
archly.
every pretty. Shall | tell you
how to guard against losing it in the
futurc?'
ooh, yes, you please"
"Near this little ring of mine to
guard it; or, better yet, exchange
with me. Give me yours and take
this instead said the young man,
daringly. Provoking Prudence look
ed at the heavily-chased gold ring
he held out to her, and then looked
back at the water with an innocent
ooh, I don't think it would ft." :
".Try it, suggested her compan-
ion, softly.
Prudence shook her head, but f.
nally agreed, blushinglY, that it
would do no harm to try, and slip
ped the ring on her finger.
"It's a perfect ftp cried Mr..
Wentworth, delightedly. Nothing
could be better. Why, Miss Pru-
dence, you surely don't mean to give
it back?"
"Of course I do was the saucy
rejoinder. why not?"
"Becausc," said aIr. Wentworth,
speaking very earnestly and disregar-
ding his oars altogether, while he
tried to get q glimpse of the face
hidden by the fat hat, "because |
meant to ask you to wear it always
Tor my sake. / meant to ask you y
ooh, Mr.. Wentworth" cried his
listener here, "do you see that lily
on your left-won't you get it for
me?''
"I'll get you that and twenty 9th
ers, 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. A crimson
flush stole oyer ears, neck and chin.
"Prudencep'
No answer. Her companion leaned
over and took her hand again, ven
turously.
prudence, will you wear the ringY'
he questioned, softly.
But the hand was hastily drawn
away; pair of saucy black eyes
flashed into his own, and Prudence's
merry laugh rang over the water
"Td rather have grandma's, please
ought to 60 home, Mr.. Wentworth
for | know it's almost tea time
Mr.. Wentworth put his ring in his
pocket and took up the oars AGAR
energetically, without a word. III
was fresh from college, and had helt
the stroke oar in many a race, but h
never made better time than he mad,
that afternoon in rowing UP the riv
Ter. The light boat shot along will
the rower's brows knitted and hi
teeth set. Not once did he look a
Prudence, who sat in half puzzled
half-alarme silence, now and the
stealing sidewise glances at the OF
Tended young Hercules from unde
her hat. Mr.. Wentworth drew
breath of relief when the boat at las
grated on the sand, and having as
sisted Prudence to land, and curtl
offered to carry her lilies, he shoult
cred the oars and marched griml
toward home by her side. Prudenc
somewhat bewildered and more al
CRY, made no effort to break the S
lence, and studiously endeavored
keep from crying. When he at la:
left her at the door, with a COT
ssThank you, Miss Prudence" an
{ departed to carry the oars to I'll
, barn, it was we'll he did not loo
! i