The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-02-03

Why, Miss Prudence, you surly don't mean
to give it back!'
"Of course do was the saucy rejoiI-
der, "Why not?"
Because, said Mr.. Wentworth, speak
ing very earnestly and disregarling the
oars altogether, while he tried to get a
glimpse OF the face hidden by the fat hat,
because | meant to ask you to wear II al
ways for my sake. l meant to ask you"
''Oh, Mr.. Wentworth" cried his listener
''here, d. you see that lily on your left
won't you get it for me?''
"1'll get you that and twenty others, if
you'll listen to me first Do you care for
me?''
Prudence's face was turned away and her
head bent lower. \ crimson flush stole over
ears, neck, and chin.
'.Prudence!''
No answer. Her companion leaned over
and took her hand again, venturously.
prudence, will you wear the ring?'' 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.
"pd rather have grandmas 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 again energetically,
without q word. He was fresh from col
lege, and had held the stroke oar in many a
race but he never made better time than he
made that afternoon in rowing up the river
The light boat shot along with the rower's
brows knitted and his teeth set.
Not once did he look at Prudence, who
sat in half puzzled, half alarmed silence now
and then stealing sidewise glances at the
| offended young Hercules from under her
hat. Mr. Wentworth drew breai of re
lief when the boat at last grated on the
sand, and having assisted Prudence to land
and CURLY offered to carry her lilies, he
sholdered the oars and marched grimly
toward home by her side. Prudence, sumo
what bewildered and more angry, made no
| effort to break the silence, and studlously
endeavored to keep from crying. When he
ut last left her at the door with cool
Thank you, Miss Prudence" and depart
! ell to carry the oars to the barn, it was well
he did not look back, for Miss Prudence
tossed the lilies aside with petulant gest-
ure, and had fit of crying with her head
on the kitchen table.
When Mr.. Wentworth returned from the
barn, halt an hour later, he did see pic
ture that comforted him a little through the
| hop wreathed pantry window. 1t was
Prudence with her sleeves pinned up, mold
| ing biscuits in desperate haste, while the
/, tears fell thickly on her high apron. This
picture so amazed MIR. Wentworth that he
re,reated hastily behind lilac bush to OBJ
serve il, and fingered so long that he was
late to tea. This was model supper. There
was great dish of berries, with snowy
cream besides, fanked by cheese and rasp
berry jam There were two mountainous
plates of gold sponge-cake and the richer
gold of the butter. Mr.. Wentworth, who
had supposed he should never have an ap-
petite again, felt quite revived by the sight
of this table and the memory Of the picture.
The rest Of the boarders seemed to share
the sensation, for the group of muslin was
very hilarious, and the eatables disappear
ed rapidly Prudence, presiding behind the
pots, seemed rather out Of spirits, but
Farmer Holmes med for silence by un-
usual jolliiy.
When the biscuit were passed the second
time to Mr.. Wentworth he saw that only one
| vas left. and would have refused decorous-
ly but the hospitabie farmer pressed it upon
him Don't be afraid Of it. There's plen-
~ more in the kitchen, Amt there, Prud-
ences' Thus pressed, Mr.. Wentworth &C
cepted the biscuit. and Prudence disappear
ed TO replenish the plate. Mr.. Wentworth
divided the biscuit, then dropped it sud
denly with an exclamation that brought
every eye upon him. There. inbedded in
the light, white bread. lay Prudence's ruby
ring.
! Such shou, of laughter arose that il,
| brought Prudence back from the kitchen in
haste. jus, in time TO see Mr.. Wentworth
cooily remove the ring from the biscuit,
ami Is, the merry chorus and drop it into
his waist Goa, pocket. to be kept till called
| for. lie said with signifcan; glance al
her scarle, face Poor Prudence, there was
no peace for her after that An army Of
jokes quite overwhelmed her protesta'ions
and dlsclaimings. and she was thankful to
| beat retreat 10 the kitchen when the meal
was over. Blu, even there she was pursued
BY laughing trio Of the ladies. harrassed
with questions, and wonderment, and merri-
nent. until the las, dish was set away. and
she had seized her hat, with the excuse that
she must 60 10 the village; however. she
stole along the hedge, climbed the wall, and
ran 10 the 1oTiueet emu OF the ofco3Io.
| where she flung herself 90 the ground and
cried as if her hear, would break. She
had. perhaps cried half An hour. when .
step crushed the dry grass at her side.
rousei her, and the very voice she most
!, dreaded TO hear said:
i've come to return your ring. Miss
Prudence"
/, Poor little Prudence sal up hastily and
took the inf rtunate ring with = faltering.
Thank you," then Immediately hid her
face again.
You needn't thank me- should have
brought j, before, but couldn't find you.
hope you re not troubled about those ride
! ulous jokes. he added dignihedly.
NO" responded Prudence, miserably.
between her sobs; IL thought you'd
think did it on purpose
How could have thouz ht SO. 1, was
mere accident ny getting tha, particular
biscuit Tn very sorry you've been SO an
noyei in this way. I'm going away to-
morrow. Hiss Prudence"