Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-09-05
Prudie's Trial.


though Prudie had heard from gossipinl
Mrs. Taylor that Hattie Belden thought
prudence Warner should have beer
dropped long ago." she was as gracious
to her as though said bit Of fossip haC
never reached her ears.
Mrs. Bryant'sannual New Years party
had never been talked over, and Hattie
Belden was certain that her hostess had
an invitation when she preached anoth.
er subject.
"Mrs. Taylor was telling me that you
were making over your blue silk; I am
ust about dying to see it."
Miserable old newsmonger!" thought
Prudie, as she brought out the dress.
why, Prudence, it really looks well
No one would ever know that it was an
old one worked over, only, of course
those who have always seen it; and you
wore it last year, didn't you?"
eyes" admitted Prudie, who knew in
her own mind all the malice and spite OF
her visitors jealous heart.
81 have a new velvet" went on Miss
Belden. But l suppose we shall be
eclipsed by Miss Eaton, who is visiting
Mrs. Bryant. Lees betrothed you know
Unexpected as was the blow, not sign
did Prudie Warner give that the news
aught to her as she went on folding the
silk, preparatory to laying it away.
Indeed l did not know" she return
ed quite pleasantly.
"Nlo, it is not known generally, con-
tinued Miss Relden, keeping her sharp
eye upon Prudie.
But that young lady held her own
h.. e.: l.
parted, and was safely down the steps.
These village.gossips, how odious they
are!" she said to herself with sigh Of
relief. Then she went into her own lit
tie dressing room, where lay the despis-
ed blue silk, and her eyes grew heavy
with burden of tears. "Oh, how I y ish
1 were rich!' she cried. 81 will not-I
never can-go there now"
If the dress were all Prudie was in
deed very silly for the silk was of love-
ly shade, a-d to look at it none would
ever believe it had been worn before,
modelled as it was almost with the skill
of Worth, and smothered in cream
colored lace; and there, too, were the
tiny white kid boots and long gloves, and
the delicate cream-colored fan. Surely
none could wish for amore delicate toilet
for Mrs. Bryant's party.
But everything seemed to Prudie in a
distorted and poverty stricken light this
morning. How she did wish che could
have q bright new dress! Everyone
would have q new dress but herself. But
90 she must, and be as bright and gay as
the others, or everyone would suspect her
secret; for Lee Bryant had been dove
eyed Prudie'sgreatest friend and devoted
cavalier from childhood, and now they
said he was engaged to Eva Eaton, the
blue eyed fairy visiting at his mothers.
Oh, the WEAKNESS of living! o., the BIZ
terness of poverty! Dull, grinding pow
erty! And now the brown head fell upon |
her dressing table, and she found relief
in that woman's boon, tears.
Poor Prudie! She was only q working
mans daughter, and the village tongue |
thought that Mrs. Bryant, the rich mans |
wife, of Wellington, had made too much |
of her. No good ever came of elevating |
q person above their station, and for their |
part, they would like to see her put |
down.
But then Prudie herself was not the |
kind of girl to be put down. Her faith
er was too poor to hire q servant, but |
Prudie kept the little cottage the neatest
place in ali the village. Mr.. Warner had
no money to spend on silks and gay at
tire for his only child, but Prudie taught
in the village school, and not only bought
her own frocks, but with her own tiny
hands fashioned them in style that no |
dressmaker in Wellington could equal. |
So she kept her social position. But now
that there seemed cloud in her horizon,
these eve ready tongues we're eager at
the slightest sign to rend her heart with |
their venom.
All this passed with lightning rapidity |
through Prudie's mind as she sat there
weeping; but try as she would, her
Thoughts would ever return to Lee Bry-
mt.
81 do not believe he is engaged to
her" she thought, but still the thought |
ever obtruded itself. HE has not called
ON me for two whole weeks" Suddenly
Abe checked herself. "This will never
do she said, and sprang to her feet, bath
ed her face in cold water, and quickly
drassed herself in her neat gray walking