Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-11-13
Exchanging Rings.

Prudence Holmes sat alone in the
wide, shady kitchen, busily engaged in
picking over whortleberries. Without
the golden sunshine of the August af-
ternoon bathed the green fields and the
dusty road that wound away to tho vii
lage, and touched with richer color the
institutions, sweet peas, geraniums and
zinnias in the tiny garden, and the
heavy Virginia creeper that climbed
and blossomed above the door. Pru-
dence made pretty picture rs she sat
on low cricket, with a big calico apron
spread over her blue sprigged muslin
dress to defend it from the stains that
soiled her little brown hands. She was
q petite, daintily-rounded maiden of
eighteen, with great dark eyes aud
glossy curls shading fair brow and
checks that had 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, and 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 outside tho crickets and the
locusts alone disturbed the silence.
Prudence believed that every one in the
house was asleep but herself and yawned
somewhat wearily rs she tossed over
the berries, finishing the yawn with o
bit of soliloquy uttered half aloud:
ooh, dear! this having summer board
ers isn't very nicep'
"Miss Prudence" said voice in tho
doorway, so suddenly that Prudence
nearly upset her berries in her surprise.
"Oh, Mr.. Wentworth, is it you?"
che said, bashfully, bending down to
pick up few berries that had rolled
from her apron.
: "I'll pick'em upr" exclaimed the new
comer-a tall and rather aristocratic-
looking youth Of twonty lone, with NOR
ry blue eyes, short auburn hair, curling
closely under straw hat-diving for
the missing berries with ungraceful
dexterity. eyes, it is I, of course.
Have you forgotten your promise to 60
after lilies with me this afternoon
"Oh, bdt I didn't say this afternoon,
you know; only some afternoon this
week" replied Prudence demurely.
"Well, we'll call it this afternoon,
won't WEI" was tho persuasive rejoinder,
as the straw hat was tossed on chair.
"I can't; I've got these berries to
pick over"
"Tll help you. Lend me half that
apron and wo'll have them done in n
trice."
''But I shall have supper to get.
Mothers away and there are biscuits to
make, insisted Prudence, turning her
face away to hide a smile that sUould
curve her lips.
t''Never mind that" responded Mr..
Abbot Wentworth, bringing chair to
her side. "Tea's at six, isn't it? and
its only half-past two. Well be back
by i've and have time to got half the
lilies in the rivers" and he began to
assort handful of berries with much
earnestness.
SWELL, "assented Prudence after a
pause for consideration and glance at
the clock, "I can go for little while,
perhaps. On, don't stain your coat,
Mr.. Wentworth"
But Mr.. Wentworth was sublimely
Indifferent to his coat, and worked with
such goodwill that the berries were
soon picked over, and Prudence and
himself on their way to the river. Five
minutes later, Prudence, with her drape
cries daintily bestowed around her, was
seated in the stern of little boat which,
propelled by Mr.. Wentworth's prac-
tioed hands, shot swiftly down stream.
Although Mr.. Wentworth said to
Prudence five times within IN hour that
it was a lovely day, and although Pru-
dence assonted every time, I hardly
think they appreciated the beauty around
them, for Prudence was quite absorbed
with the lilies and the reflections in the
water, and Mr.. Wentworth looked more
at his companion than at the aspect of
nature. They had gathered enough to
satisfy them, and Prudence was leaning
backward and idly trailing one hand in
the water, when she suddenly sat erect,
with whito cheeks, from which the coll
or had been frightened. .aa
/ ''Oh, / almost lost iti How careless
i amp" she exclaimed, replacing On old
fashioned ring, set with tiny circle of
rubios on her finger. lsh '~
Did the water sweep it of your
hand?"
81 suppose SO. It's too large for mo.
I'malways losing itand finding IL again.
/ wouldn't loseit entirely for tho world,
because il used TO be grandmother's
She gave it to NO."
"What curious old ring it isr' said
Mr.. Wentworth, with interest. "May
/ look at itf 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- lio in his aristocratic white one, then
coquettishly Withdrew il.
'sIsn't il pretty r she inquired archly.
Very pretty. Shall I tell you how
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