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

THE LUCK OF THE BISCUIT.
Prudence Holmes sat alone in q wide,
shady kitchen, busily engaged in picking
over whortleberries. Without, the golden
sunshine of an August afternoon bathel the
green fields and dusty road that wound away
| to the village, and touched with richer col
or the nasturtiums. sweet-pease, geraniums.
and zlnnias in the tiny garden, and the
heavy Virginia creeper that climbed and
blossomed above the door. Prudence made
o pretty picture as she set on a low cricket,
with o big calico apron spread over a blue
sprigged muslin dress to defend it from the
stains that had soiled her little brown hands.
She was petite, daiutily rounded maiden
of Is, with great dark eyes and glossy curls
shading fair brow and cheeks that had a
touch OF wild-rose bloom upon them. The
kitchen, too; such pretty picture, with its
we'll secured floor and dresser, its aspara-
us-topped clock, its shining stove, with
punches Of herbs hung behind, aud the
great boquet 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 the cricket and the
locust alone dlsturbedthe peace, Prudence
believed that every enc in the house was
asleep but herself, and yawned somewhat
YEARLY as she tossed over the berries,
finishing the yawn with biz of soliioquy
uttered half loud
"Oh, dear. this having summer boarders
| ISM very meet
"Miss Prudence said a voice in the Door
way so suddenly that Prudence nearly up
set her berries IN her surprise.
"Oh, Mr.. Wentworth, is it YOU" she
said, bashfully, bending down to pick up a
few berries that had rolled from her apron.
ON pick EN- up exclaimed the new
comcr,-a tall and rather aristocrat c. look
ing youth Of u, with merry blue eyes, short
auburn hair curling closely under straw
| hat, diving tor the missing berries with
ungraceful dexterity
Yes, i, is |, ofcourse Have you forgot
ten your promise 70 60 after lilies with me,
| this afternoon"
| ''Oh, but didns say this afternoon. you
know; only some afternoon this week." re
sponded Prudence. demurely.
well, we will call it this afternoon, won't
WEI" was the persuasive rejoinder, as the
straw hat was tossed on chair.
III can't; Eve got these berries to pick
! over
"Ill help you. Lend me half that apron,
and we'll have them done in a ,rice."
But l shall have supper to get. Moth
er's away. and there are biscuits to make,
insisted Prudence, turning her face away to
hide . smile that would curve her lips
Mr.. Abbott Wentworth, bringing a chair
to her side. Teas a, isn't i,y md it's
only half past 2 Webb back by 5, with
GU, fail. aud have time TO get half the lilies
in the river and he began to assert
handful Of berries with much earnestness
| Well" assented Prudence, after a
pause for consideration and glance at the
clock. Il can go tor little while, per
haps. Oh, don, stain your coat Mr. Went
WORTH
But Mr.. Wentworth was suhlimely inlif-
fereut to his coat, and worked with such .
good will that the berries were soon picked
over aud Prudence and himself we're on
their way to the river. Five minutes later,
Prudence, with her draperies daintily be-
slowed around her, was seated in the stern
Of . little boat. which. propelled by Mr..
Wentworth's practical hand. shot swiftly
down stream. Although MIR Wentworth
said TO Prudence Eve times within an hour
thai it was q lovely day, and although Prud
ence asscnied every time, 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 AZ his compan
ion than st the aspect of Natsre. They had
gathered enough lilies to satisfy them. sud
Prudence was leaning backward aud idly
| trailing one hand in the water. when she
suddenly uttered little scream. and sat
erect With white cheeks. from which the
color had been frightened.
"Oh. almos, los, it! How careless am
| she exclaimed. replacing an old fashioned
ring. set with = tiny circle Of rubles. 90 her
finger
ibid the waller sweep it OF your hand.
Il suppose So lis TOO large for me I'm
always losing it aud finding i, again be-
cause it used to be grandmoi hers. She
gave it &c me-
What = curious old ring i, is" said Mr..
Wentworth, with :ntres;. May look Al
liz Don't trouble yourself to take it of, =
he added, drawing his oars and leaning
toward his companion Prudence allowed
her tiny brown hand TO lie In his aris'ocra-
tic white Que q moment then eoauetsishiy
withdrew it.
lisa, it pretty she inquired. archly.
Very pretty. Shall tell you how to
guard agains, losing it in the FUTURE"
'-Oh. yes, if you please
.'wear this little ring of mine TO guard
il: or. better yet. exchange with me- Give
me yours ani take this instead" said the
young man. daringly. Provoking Prud-
ence looked At the heavily chased gold ring
he held out TO her, and then looked back at
the water with IN innocent ..Oh. l don't
think Is veuld fs-"
Try is" sasgssted her eonpaaisa. soft
b.
P1a1enoe ahoak Asr hend ~ tally
1891 nnAi1ry, 1hak 4 uunn1 1ono