Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-09-18

| softly.
Prudence shook her head, but finall,
agreed blushingly that it would do N,
harm to try, and slipped the ring OF
her forefinger.
''lts perfect fit,' cried Mr.. Went.
worth, 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?o
Because, said Mr.. Wentworth
speaking very earnestly, and disre-
garding his oars altogether, while he
tried to get glimpse Of the face hidden
by the fiat hat ''because | meant to ask
you to wear it always for my sake.
meant to ask you"
'sOh, Mr.. Wentworth cried his lis
tener here, ''do you see that lily on
your left-won't you get it for me:''
"PI get you that and twenty others,
if you'll listen to me first. Do you care
for me, Prudence? Will you marry
me?''
idNt hsis utu dN DIV ,
and her head bent lower. A crimson
flush stole over ears. neck and chin.
''Frudence.
No answer. Her companion leaned
over and took her hand again ventur-
ously.
Prudence, will you wear this ring?''
he questioned softly.
But the hand was hastily drawn away
a pair of saucy black eyes flashed into
his own, and Prudence's merry laugh
ter rang over the water.
''l'd rather have grandma's. | ought
to go home, Mr.. Wentworth, for know
it's almost tea time"
Mr.. Wentworth put the ring in his
pocket and took up the oars again ener-
getically; without a word. He was
fresh from college and held the stroke
oar in many a race, but he never made
better time than lie did that afternoon
in rowing up the river. The light boat
shot along with the rOwer's brow knit
ted his teeth set. Not once did he
look at Prudence, who sat in half puz-
zled, half alarmed silence, now and
then stealing sidewise glanees at the
offended Young Hercules from under
her hat. Mr.. Wentworth drew breath
of relief when the boat at last grated
OH the sand, and, having assisted Pru-
dence to land, and curtly offered to
carry her lilies, he shouldered the oars
and marched grimly toward home by
her side. Prudence, somewhat bewil-
dered and more angry, made no attempt
to break the silence, and studiously
endeavored to keep from crying. When
he at last left her at the door, with a
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 petulant gesture and had a fit of
crying with her head on the kitchen
table.
When Mr. Wentworth returned from
the barn, he did see a picture that COM
forted him a little through the hop
wreathed pantry window. 1t was Pruo
dence with her sleeves pinned up, mold
ing biscuits in desperate haste, while
the tears fell thickly on her high calico
apron. This picture so amazed Mr..
behind lilac bush to observe it, and
fingered so long that he was late for tea.
This was model supper. There was
the great dish of berries, with snowy
cream beside, flanked by cheese and
raspberry jam. There were two noun
famous plates OF snowy biscuit, con-
trasting with the gold sponge-caks and
the richer gold of the butter. Mr..
Wentworth, who had supposed he
should never have an appetite again.
felt quite revived by the sight of this
table and the memory of the picture.
The rest of the boarders seemed to share
the sensation, for the group of muslin
was very hilarious, and the eatables dis
appeared rapidly. Prudence. presiding
between the pots, seemed rather out of
spirits, but Father Holmes atoned for
ltI "
When the biscuits passed second
time to Mr.. Wentworth he saw that
only one was left, and would have re-
fused decorously, but the hospitable
farmer pressed it upon him. ''Don't
be afraid of it. There's plenty more in
the kitchen; amt there Prudence?'
Thus pressed, Mr.. Wentworth accepted
the biscnit, then dropped it suddenly
with an exclamation that brought every
eve upon HIM. There, imbedded inthe
light. white bread, lay Prudence's ruby
ring.
Such a shout of laughter arose that
brought Prudence back from the kltch-
en- i'm haste, just in time to see Mr.
Wentworth coolly removing the ring
from the biscuit, amidst the merry
chorus and drop it into his waistcoat
pocket, ''to be kept till called for" he
said with significant glance at her
scarlet face. Poor Prudence. There
was no peace for her after that. An
army of jokes quite overwhelmed her
and disclaimings, and she
was thankful to beat hasty retreat to
the kitchen when the meal was over.
But even there she was pursued by a
trio Of ladies harassed with
and wOnderment, and merri-
ment, until the last dish was set away,
and she had seized her hat, with the
excuse that she must go to the village
for letters. Instead of going to the viii
lage, however, she stole along the hedge,
climbed the wall, and ran to the further
end of the orchard, where she flung
herself on the ground and cried as if
her heart would break. She had, per-