The daily gazette., 1876-02-25
THE LAST BISCUIT.

Prudence Holmes sat in the wide,
shady kitchen, busily engaged picking
over whortleberries. Without, the
golden sunshine OF an August forenoon
kathed the green fields and dusty road
that wound away to the village, and
touched with richer color the sweet
peas, geTaniums, &c, in the tiny gar
den, and the heavy Virginia creeper
that climed and blossomed above the
door. Prudence made pretty picture
as she sat on low cricket, with a
large apron spread over her blue sprig-
ged muslin dress to defend it from the
stains that had soiled her little brown
hands. She was a petite, daintily
rounded maiden of eighteen, with great
dark eyes and glossy curls shading her
fair brew and cheeks that had a touch
of wild rose bloom upon them. The
kitchen, too, such pretty picture,
with its well secured floor and dresser
its asparagus topped clock, its shining,
stove, with punches of vivid cardinal
! flowers set on the snowy table. The
kitchen was perfectly still, save the
buzz of the flies and tick of the clock I;
| anu OutSllC lnC CllIhClb anu lOCuStS
alone disturbed the peace. Prudence
believed that every one in the house
was asleep but herself, and yawned
somewhat wearily as she tossed over
the berries, finishing the yawn with a
bit of soliloquy, uttered half aloud:
| "Oh, dear! this having summer
| boarders isn't very nice.
"Miss Prudence" said voice in the
doorway SO suddenly that Prudence
nearly upset her berries in her sur
prise.
"Oh, but | didn't say this afternoon
only some afternoon this week." said
Prudence, demurely.
"Well, we will call it this afternoon,
| won't we?" was the persuasive reply,
as the straw hat was tossed on chair.
81 can't. I've got these berries to
pick over"
"I'll help you. Lend mc half the
apron and wen have them done in
trice."
"But l shall have supper to get,
mother't away, and there are biscuits
to make" insisted Prudence, turning
would curve her lips.
"Ncvcr mind that" responded Mr..
Abbott Wcntforth, bringing chair
to her sIde "Tea is at 6, ISM it? and
it is only . 30. Wen be back by
without fail, and have time to get half
the lilies IN the river" and he began
to assert a handful OF berries with
much earhestness.
"W-e-ll," assented Prudence after a
pause for consideration and a glance
at the clock. II can go fer little
while, perhaps. Oh, don't stain your
coat, Mr.. Wentforth.
But Mr.. Wentforth was sublimely
indifferent to his coat, and worked
with such good will that the berries
were soon picked over, and Prudence
Five minutes later Prudence, with her
draperics daintily bestowed around
her, was seated in the stern of the boat,
which propelled by Mr.. Wentforth's
practiced hand, shet swiftly down the
stream. Although Mr.. Wentforth said
to Prudence five times within an hour
that it was lovely day, and although
Prudence asscnted every time, l hard
ly think they appreciated the beauty
around them, for Prudence was quite
absorbed in the lilies, and the reflect
ion in the water, and Mr.. Wentworth
looked more at his companion than to
the respect of nature. They had gath
cred enough lilies to satisfy them, and
Prudence was leaning backward trail
ing one hand in the water, when she
suddenly uttered little cry and sat
erect, with with white cheeks, from
which the color had been frightened.
"Oh, | almost lost it! How careless
ami" she exclaimed, replacing an old
fashioned ring, set with tiny circle
of rubies on her tnger?"
"Did the water sweep it eff your
hand?"
81 suppose SO. It's too large for me.
Pm always losing it, and finding it
again. wouldn't lose it entirely for
the werld, because it used to be grand
mothers. She gave it to me-"
"What a curious old ring it is, said
Mr.. Wentforth with interest. "May
look at its Don't trouble yourself to
take it off," he added drawing his oars
and leaning toward his companion.-l
Prudence allowed her tiny brown
hand to lie in his white one moment
and then hastily withdrew it. |
Tsn't it prettys" she inquired
archly.
every pretty. Shall I tell you how
to guard against loosing it in the fu-
turef"
ooh, yes, if 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, daring
ly provoking. Prudence looked at
the heavily chased gold ring he held
out to her, and then looked back at