The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1875-12-29
ALEXANDRIA, La, WEDNESDAY,, DECEMBER 30, 1875.

1919.
apron. This picture so amazed Mr..
| Wentworth that lie reiterated hastily
behind q lilac bush to observe it, and
fingered so long that he was late at
tea. This was model supper -
There was the great dish of berries
with snowy cream beside, faDlsed by
cheese and raspberry jam. There
were two mountainous plates Of nice
snowy biscuit, contrasting with the
gold sponge. cake and the richer gold
of the butter. Mr.. Wentworth, who
had supposed he should never have
appetite again, felt quite revived by
| the sight of this table and the mem
DRY of the picture. The rest of the
boarders seemed to share the sensa-
ton, for the group Of muslin was
very hilarious, and the eatables dis
appeared rapidly. Prudence, presi-
ding between the pots, seemed rather
out of spirits, but Farmer Holmes
atoned for her silence by unusual
jollity.
/ When the biscuits we're passed q
second. time to Dir. Wentworth he
saw thas only one was left, and he
would have refused decorously, but
the hospitable farmer pressed it up
on him. ,aDon't be afraid of it.
/ There's plenty more in the kitchen,
ain There, Puldonce2 Thus pressed
Mr.. Wentworth accepted the biscuit,
and Prudence disappeared to replen
ish the plate. Mr. Wentworth divi-
ded the biscuit, then dropped it sud-
denly with an exclamation that
brought every eye upon him. There
Embedded in the light, white bread,
lay Prudenco's rubysring, ss:a
Such a shout Of laughter arose
that brought Prudence back from the
kitchen in haste, just in time to see
Mr.. Wentworth cody remove the
ring from the biscuit, amidst the
merry chorus, and drop it into his
waistcoat pocket. to s:be kept till
called for" he. said, with a significant
glance at her scarlet face. Poor
Prudence! there was no pence fol
| her after that An army of jokes
quite overwhelmed her protestations
and disclaimings, and she was thank
full to beat a retreat to the kitchen
when the meal was over. But even
there she was pursued by a laughing
4 triofof the ladies, harassed with CUES
tons, and wonderment, and inerri-
ment, until the last dish was set
away, and she had seized her hat,
with the excuse that she must so to
1.-THE village for letters. Instead Of
going to the village, however, She
|stole along the hedge, climbed the
wall, and ran to the furthest end OF
the orchard, where she flung herself
on the ground and cried as if her
heart would break. She had, per
/ haps, cried half an hour, when step
crushed the dry grass at her Side,
reused her, and the very voice she
most dreaded to hear said:
eve come to return your ring
Miss Prudence
Poor little Prudence sat up hastily
!, and took the unfortunate ring with
a faltering "Thank you,'' then imme
aiately hid her face again.
"You needn't thank me. shonl(
have brought it before, but l couldn't
) find you. / hope you're not troubled
! about those ridiculous jokes" lie ad
: | : i rs Is ~
, ded, dignifedfy.
! IN o. responded Prudence, mise
9 rably, between her sobs; q
G thought you'd think I did it on pur
: pose"
4 elbow could I have thought so? /
$ was mere accident my getting tina
t particular biscuit. Pm very sorr
|, you've been SO annoyed in this way
D I'm going away, tomorrow, Mis-
I Prudence. .
r The sobs, partially ceased, an
a Miss Prudence said, surprisingly
It care your
> wont you bid me goodbye
y Prudence said EYES, unsteadil,
I but did not raise her head.
u "You will shake hands, wou't 20,
e Miss Prudence?"
! No answer.
i Il can't go away while you are 0
% Tended with me. Won't you at lea