Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1876-11-15

how to guard against losing it II
the future 7"
"Oh yes, il you please"
"Wear 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
locke at the heavily-chased gold
ring he held out to her, and then
looking back at the water with an
innocent "Ohi I don't think IL
would it,"
"Try it," suggested her compan-
ion softly.
Prudence shook her head, but e.
nally agreed, blushingly, that it
would be no harm to try, and slip
ped the ring on her fore-fnger.
"It's a perfect fit !" cried Mr..
Wentworth delightedly. "Nothing
could be better. Why, Miss Pru-
dence, you surely don't mean to
give it backi"
"Of course I do," was the saucy
rejoinder. "Why not 7"
Because" said Mr.. Wentw orth,
speaking very earnestly, and disre-
garding his oars altogether, while
he tried to get glimpse of the
face hidden by the fat hat; "be-
cause I meant to ask you to wear
it always for my sake, meant to
ask you"
"Oh /! Mr.. Wentworth" cried his
listener, "do you see that lilly on
your left-won't you get it for
me?"
"Ill get you that and twenty
others, if you'll listen to me first.
Do you care for me, Prudence {!
Will you marry me 7"
Prudence's face was turned away
and her head bent lower. A Grim
son flush stole over ears, neck, and
chin.
"Prudence II
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; a pair Of saucy black eyes
flashed in his own, and Prudence's
merry laugh rang over the water.
"Td rather have grandma's,
please. I ought to go home, Mr..
Wentworth, for l know it's almost
tea-time."
Mr.. Wentworth put his ring in
his pocket, and took up his oars
energetically, without a word. He
was fresh from college, and had
held the stroke oar in many 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 knit
ted and his teeth set. Not once
did he look at Prudence, who sat
in half-puzzled, half-alarmed sill
ence, now and then stealing side
wise glances at the offended young
Hercules from under her hat. Dir.
Wentworth drew breath OF re-
lief when the boat at last grated on
the sand, and having assisted Prud-
ence to land, and curtly offered to
carry her lilies, he shouldered the
oars and marched grimly home by
her side. Prudence, somewhat be-
wildered and more angry, made no
effort to break the silence, and
studiously endeavored to keep from
crying. When he at last left her
at the door, with cool "Thank
you, Miss Prudence" and departed
to carry the oars to the barn, it
was we'll he did not look back. for
Miss Prudence tossed the lilies
aside, with petulant gesture, and
had fit of crying with her head
on the kitchen table.
When Mr.. Wentworth returned
from the barn, half an hour later,
he did see picture that comforted
him little through the hop-wreath-
ed pantry window. 1t was Pru-
dence with her sleeves pinned up,
molding biscuits with desperate
haste, while the tears fell thickly
on her high calico apron. This
picture so amazed Mr.. Wentworth
that he retreated hastily behind q
lilac bush to observe it, and linger-
ed so long that he was late at tea.
This was a model supper. There
was great dish of berries with
snowy cream beside, fianked by