The daily gazette., 1876-02-25

agreed blushIngly that 1t would do no
harm to try, and slipped the ring on
her forefinger.
"It's perfect fiji" cried Mr.. Went
forth delightedly. "Nothing could
be better. Why, Miss Prudence,
you surely don't mean to give it
back?"
"Of course l do" was the saucy re-
joinder, "Why not?"
Because" said Mr.. Wentforth,
speaking very earnestly, and disregar-
ding the oars altogether, while he
tried to get glimpse of the face hid.
den by the flat hat, because l meant
to ask you to wear it always for my
sake. l meant to ask to"
"Oh, Mr.. Wentforth," cried his lis.
tener here, edo yo see that lily on
your left-won't you get it for me?"
'Tll get you that and twenty others
if you'll lister to me first. Do you
care for me, Prudence? Will you
marry meg"
Prudence's face was turned away
and her head bent lower. A crimson
flush stole over her ears, neck and
chin.
Prudence.
No answer. Her companion leaned
over and took her hand again, ventur-
ously.
But the hand was hastily drawn
away; pair of saucy black eyes flash
ed into his now, and Prudence s merry
laugh rang over the water.
'Id rather have grandma's, please,
ought to 60 home, Mr., Wentforth, for
| know it's almost tea time"
Mr.. Wentforth put his ring in his
pocket and took up the oars again en-
}ergetically without werd. He was
fresh from college, and had held the
stroke oar in manya race, but he never
made better time than he made on
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 silence
now and then stealing sidcwise glances
at the offended young Hercules from
under her hat. Mr.. Wentforth drew
breath of relief when the boat grated
on the land and curtly offered to carry
her lilies, he shouldered the oars and
marched toward home by her side
| Prudence somewhat bewildered, and
more angry, made no effort to break
the silerce, aud studiously endeavor-
cd 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 well he did not look back, for
| Miss Prudence tossed the Lilies aside.
with an impatient gesture, and had
| fit of crying, with her head on the
kitchen table.
When Mr. Wentforth returned from
! the barn half an hour later he did see
a picture that comfortcd him little,
through tie pantry window. 1t was
Prudence with her sleeves pinped up
molding biscuits in desperate haste,
while the tears fell thickly on her high
calico apron. This picture so aston
ished Mr.. Wentferth that he retveated
hastily behind lilac bush to observe
it, and fingered so long that he was
late at tea. This was model supper.
There was the great dish of berries
with cream beside, t1anked with cheese
and raspberry jam, there were two
mountainous plates Of snowy biscuit,
contrasting with the rich gold of the
sponge cake and butter. Mr., Went
forth, who had supposed he should
never have an appetite, felt quite re-
vived by the sight of the table and
the memory of the picture, The rest
of the boarders seemed to share the
sensation, for the group seemed very
hilarious, and the eatables disappears
ed rapidly. Prudence was out of
spirits but Farmer Holmes atoned for
silence by unusual jolity.
When the biscuits passed second
time to Mr.. Wentforth he saw that
only one was left, and would have re.
fused decerously, but the hespitable
farmer pressed it upon him. Don't
be afraid of it. There are plenty more
in the kitchen, amt there, Prudence."
Thus pressed, Mr.. Wentforth accepted I
the biscuit, and Prudence disappeared
to replepish the plate. Mr.. Wentforth
divided the biscuit, then dropped it
suddenly with an exclamation that
brought every every eye upon him.
There, imbedded in the light white |
bread, lay Prudence's ruby ring.
Such shout Of laughter arose that
brought Prudence back from the kitch-
cu III uaotCy JuSb III sihC W nCS WI
Wentforth cody remove the ring from
the biscuit, amidst the merry chorous,
and drop it into his waistcoat pocket,
ito be kept until called for" he said
with significant glance at her scarlet
face. Poor Prudence There was
now no peace for her after that. An
army of jokes quite overwhelmed her
pr0testations and disclaimings, and
she was thankful to beat hasty re-
treat to the kitchen. when the meal
was over, But even there she was |
pursued by laughing trio of the
ladies, harassei with questions and |
wonderment and merriment until the |
last dish was set away, and she had |
seized her hat, with the excuse that
she must go to the village; however,
she stole along the hedge, climbed the
wall, and ran to the furthest edge of |
the orchard, where she flung herself on
the ground and cried as ii her heart |
would break. She had perhaps, cried
half an hour, when the a step crushed
the dry grass at her side, reused her,
and the very voice she most dreaded
tn haar said.