The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-12-06
Mrs Wentworth shook her head.

true Is Sucn a shy littit thtiSs
she continued, "and believes so im-
pllcitly in you that | do not wonder
that sue does not speak Of hun.
But she will never forget him."
Deacon Bassett sprang from his
seat, and hurried across the road
with hasty steps. Was 1t possible
that it was for this he had tolled all
his life long? Could it be true that
his lutte Blossom would never use
the money which he had spent all
his time in making?
With trembling hands he pushed
back Tie half-opened door, aud en-
tered the Dom where Prudence was
sitting. With a pang lie noticed
how very pale aud fragile she locked.
Little Prue," he >ald, IA lac bent
low over Tie pretty brown hair, did
Won love Owen RiIn>iord p
A crimson flush swept over her
face.
On, father" she answered softly,
Il could not help IT,"
For a moment fise stern old man
was silent. Then he took her hands
in his and tried To smile AS he said
nuskily: "lhave changed my mind,
and arn going back 10 tell him 10
come and see us. Cousin Harriet
tells me he is a Very worthy young
man.
A surprised, happy looked came
into Prue : eyes. She laid her ckeek
down on hIs great rough hand as
She sand: You gre the dearest fat!ier
in all the world.
Deacon Bassett's visit TO the city,
however, was all in vain. Oven
Raiusford could not be found. He
had gone 10 Europe, his friends said.
and they could not give hIs address
Just then. But the deacon did not
abandon the quest. He would have
given liis life To save that little lace
at home. SO, week after week he
went To tue city, till at last Prues
letter went across the cean.
Back owe the great va ter caIne a
clinking message: "Nill return in
the next steamer.
With a pleased smile the deacon
laid the words In the iiltle blue
veined hands.
Il am so glad" she said, simply.
I'll wanted to see him once again"
Eagerly the anxious father watch
ed for the coming of the vessel. hop
lng by some ean To Restore Prue To
health. the day the steamer was
expt cted To arrive. he went up to the
city, saying 10 Pure as he bid her
good-bye:
Il will bring him back with me-
He never brought him back.
There wds a message instead await
ing him:
Owen Rainsford died the day be
fore the vessel arrived"
How he ever reached home he
never knew. Ashen pale, he groped
his way into the great sunny roum
where Priscilla stood anXiously Ia
waiting for him
"He is dead" the deacon groaned.
1T is all my fault. have killed my
little lamb"
For "a moment the room seemed
to reel around and the sun darkened
as Priscilla Bassett's steady nerves
deserted her. Then she spoke up
bravely:
Il tdok, no earthly power could
have saved our Prudence. even ifshe
had her lover, for she WAS never
strong. What you did you thought
was for the best, aud she at least
will never blame you"
Somehow there came tn the poor
broken heart of the deacon a ray of
comfort at these words. With tremh-
ling steps he followed Priscilla up
the stairs to where his darling lay.
As HE entered the room Prue
turned her eyes expectal tly toward
the door.
as he coming?" she asked softly.
shall | see him soon?"
The deacon could not answer, but
with a great sob dropped dawn on
his knees by the little white bed, and
buried his face in his hands.
Miss Priscilla looked at the wan,
wistful face. and a mist came over
her eyes. Yes, dear" sheanswtrrd
sently. You will see him very
soon"
A glad, contendrd look came into
the violet eyes. Then Prue slipped
her cold little hand like a snow HIKE
into the great gnarled one OF her
father.
"Prue.' he gasped, will YOU for
give me? thought | was doing it
for your good. But it was all-all a
Observation-Disclosures"
Why, father" she answered, in
low tender tones, you have always
been good tn me"
Don't don't, my darling" he
groaned III despair. Then he tried
to pray; nut the long prayers that
he could deliver 50 promptly in
peeting filled him, and his lips re-
fused to move.
/ The shadow on the wall grew
deeper. The white eyelids Eel! low
or and lower, till the dark laslies
almost swept the cheek. Miss PRS
ella looked despairingly at the dea-
con. But Ho words came.
| Suddenly there lose 10 cousin
Alice the remembrance of some
thing Owen X tinsford had sung the
night before Prue went !lo.ae. She
softly commenced to sing, while her
tears were falling:
art thou weary. art thou languid,
Aathou sore distressed?
Come t. me. saith one, and coming
Be at rest
Such q happy look came over
Prue's face, and the slim hand clasp
ed more tightly that of her father.
f'nen there fell a silence in the
room. Outside the bees We're hum
ming and the birds we're twitting in
a slow sleepy fashion. Nearer crept
the shadow on the wall as the sun
west down. But another SHADOW
bad entered the room; "a still, un,een
presence; and quietly, with IA smile
on her lips, tired, patent little Prae
lay at rest.