New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-01-23
THE LAST BIS GU IT.

Prudence dOIMeS Sal 9.o05 ii L1e Woe
SHADY kitchen, busi.y engaged II picking
shine of an August afternoon bathed the
green telus and dusty road thai wound
avay to the village. anu touched with richer
color the 1astu--.uuls, svee5 peas. geran.
uns and zinnias II the I.n- garie,. aud tie
heavy Virginia creeper tna- Gin oed ald
b.ossomed above the door. Prudence lie
a pretty picture as she sal on a low cricket,
With big calico apron spread oTer Ter
D,ue-sprigged muslin dress . defend is
from the stains that had so.ied ner little
brown hands. She was peC:te. tanti!y-
rounded maiden CO eiyh.eer. VITA great
dark ewes, and glossy CUTS saac.ag 6 .air
brow and cheeks that had rolca y wild
rose bloom upon them. Inc k--e1e1. too.
such pretty picture, T.sa i-s we-i-scoured
= oor and dresser, rs a5pa-agUs-toppei
clock, it's shining stove. With boEcles OF
uern5 hung behind. q. / tie great bouquet
OF vivid cardinal Howers SET OF the snowy
table. The kitchen Vas per-eet.7 Sill save
the buzz of the flies ant tie c.lch OF the
cock: and outside the crlcke. aaC the To-
Gusts alone had diatu-p red ms peace. Pcu-
deuce believed tina. every oce Z cae house
wac asleep but herse.i, ami yaynei some
what YEARLY as she tossed over -ne beg
res. finishing the yawn WIN BIZ Of soil
oCuy uttered half aloud:
''O9, ueal. tnls La IL : e-A--cA wa! Net )
lsa't very n;ce!
Miss Prudence SAID a voice il ne door
way SO suddenly thai Prudence nearly up
set her berries in her sE-p--:s.
..Oh, Mr.. Wentworth. Is /. -nIl she sa,u,
baehtully. bending down - Dlca cp few
berries that had rolled from. her aoro1.
"l'll pick 'em u" exclaimed a new
conner, a tall and rather a-is-occatlc looking
youth OF twenty-one, witt ,nec-v Dlue eyes,
.1,-. i
straw hat-diving for the missing berries
with ungraceful dexteriry, Yes. !. Is I, OF
course. Have you forgotten your promise
70 90 aftsr lilies with he. this aI-e-roon.'
..Oh, but didn't say this afternoon, yo1
K-ow; only some afternoon this Weak, re-
spouded Prudence. demu-e.v.
We'll, we will call j. this afternoon.
won't WEI" was the persuasive rej0!nder,
&c the straw hat was tossed OF the chair.
Il can't; I've gct these berries 10 pick
over
IN help you. Lend me hal: c1a- apron,
aaG well have them done il i tr.ce."
But shall have supper 70 get. Mothers
away, and there are biscuits 20 n axe" il
sisted Prudence, turning her face away to
hide smile that would curve le- lips.
Never mind that" responded Mr.. Ab-
Dott Wentworth, bringing a char 10 her
side. Teas at SIX. isn't - asd its low
v:chou. fail, and have time 20 y4G lai1 the
Lies IN the river and ha began TO asaoct
a handful of berries with much earnestness
"W'-el-l," assented Prudence. after
pause for consideration AMI 2 glance at the
clock, II can go for l:t.le While, per
hars. Oh don't stain you. cca5. Mr. Went
worth"
But Mr.. Wentworth was s-b.imetv indit
fa,ent to his coat, and worked Win such 3
al 81 ~ 4.
over, and Prudence and himself Oh their
way to the river. Five minutes ,a-e- Pru-
deuce, with her ORA peries dainty bestowed
around her, was seated n the s-erE OF
little boat, which, propelled by Nr. Went
worth's practlced hand. shot swiftly down
tie stream. Although M-. Wentworth said
10 Prudence five times within az hour that
il was a lovely DAY, anu although Pru-
denue assented every -iue, hardly think
taey appreciated the Deaurv around them,
for Prudence was quite absorbed in tbs
Lies and the reflections ii tae water, and
M. Wentworth looked mora a. lis con-
panion than at the aspect Of nature. They
had gathered enough lilies 70 satisfy them,
aad Prudence was leaning backward ana
Idly trailing one hand in the water. when
sle suddenly uttered a little scream, and sat
eject, with white cheeks. from which the
color had been frightened.
am. she exclaimed. replacing an o,d-fash-
ioaed ring, set with tiny c.rc.e o. rubies,
On her finger.
did the water sweep it off your aanI,"
II suppose SO. It's too large for NE: I'm
always losing it and dndiny it again. l
wouldn't lose it entirely .or the world, be-
Cause it used to oe grandm s:hes's. She
gave it to me-"
"What curious old ring It .s'' sa;d Mr.
Wentworth, with interest MAY look at
il Don't trouble yourself 20 take it of"
rs added, drawing his oars and leaning to-
ward his companion. prudence allowed
her tiny brown hand 20 lie il his ac;sto.
cratic white one moment, then coiuet-
islly withdrew 1t.
isn't it pretty" she inquired arohiy
..Very pretty. Shall lei. you bow to
guard against losing Il n The future =
ooh, yes, if you please.
.'NNear this little ring o. mine 10 guard 1t;
or, better yet, exchange with nee, Give me
Yours and take this instead" said the young
man daringly. Provoking Prudence looked
a. the hcavily-chased gold ring he held out
to her, and then locked back at the water
with an innocent, "Oh, / don't think 1t
would fit"
"rry it," suggested her com pan,o.. softly.
Prudence shook her head, hIg finally
agreed blushingly, that !. ~oLld do no
harm to try, and slipped tns riDg Ga her
its perfect ftp cried Mr. wentworth,
dplightedly. Nothing could be better.
Why, Miss Prudence, you surely don't mean
to give it back!"
'Of course Go, was the sauey rejo:nIer.
eWhy mott"
Because" said Mr.. Wentworth. speak
ing very earnestly and di=regarding his
O ars altogether, while ne tried to get q
eiiupse OF the face hidden by the ias hat,