The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1886-01-27

'It's yours Do as you please with
| it. answered Mrs. Dennison, who had
never possessed particle of sentiment.
''But look out that he don't grve you
counterfeit money"
Prudence gave a long sigh when she
saw the old clock carried out of the hall
and put into the strangers wagon and
that night she woke up half dozen
times with a sense of some great loss
having fallen upon her. And, oh, how
she missed the "ticl1.tick' of the solemn
/ old pendulum!
But the next morning, as soon as her
household duties were done, she went to
the best store in the town and bought
the material for a white dress, and four
yards of broad sash ribbon of rich car
dinal hue.
When John called Monday evening he
did not recognize the figure that came
forward to meet him, and stared at it
moment in mute astonishment.
rs this really you, PrueW he asked,
"Why, child, what have you been doing
to yourself2 don't know you in this
new gown"
''But don't you like me in it, John2"
asked Prudence, with trembling lips.
John shook his head.
"It may do for some girls-that little
one up at Mrs. Peck's, for instance" " he
said; "but think little brown wrens
better than butterflies, Prue."
Prudence had been in morbid, mis-
erable frame of mind for four long days,
and was completely unstrung. AS John
ceased speaking she burst into tears, and
then threw herself down on the old
lounge, where she had sobbed herself to
sleep many time during her childhood.
Johns arms were around her at once.
He was startled and surprised by the sud
den outburst, so unlike his quiet, gentle
Prue. and it was a long time before he
could win her to tell him her whole story
But he knew it all at last. Prue con-
fessed even her jealousy of Mrs. Peck's
boarder.
"You're a little goose" said John,
when at length her tears were dried, and
she was smiling again. "Mrs. Peck's
boarder is my Cousin Sans wife. They
had quarrel, and she ran away from
him and came here to Mrs. Peck, who is
her aunt. Sam wrote me all about it,
and I've been trying to patch the matter
up. It's been hard work, she's such a
silly little thing-so unlike you, Prue-
but got her to promise that she will go
back home tomorrow. And so you sold
the old clock in order to buy new dress
and red sash9 On, Prue! Prue"
81 see now how foolish l was, " said
Prudence, with a sigh. "But thought
/ -n
"I'll hear what you thought when l
tell you the news" interrupted John.
"It's the strangest thing! 1t seems that
Thirza has been corresponding for sew
eral months with gentleman she met at
the camp-meeting last summer, and has
decided to marry him"
''Really!" gasped Prudence.
eyes; the wedding is to be in August,
and l want yOu to come when she goes.
Will your
When Prudence, after her quiet we'd
ding, walked into the house which she
and John were to share together hence
forth, the first thing she saw was her
grandfather's old clock standing in the
hall, ticking as solemnly and regul arly
as if it had never been moved.
She turned to her husband, glad tears
in her eyes, and a questioning look on
her face. He put his arms around her,
and drew her to his side.
"This is my wedding gift to you,
Prue," he said. 81 hunted up that man
with the red mustache the very day after
l learned you had sold the clock, and
bought it back"
"You couldn't have given me any
thing l would have priced more, dear
John, said Prue.
But she never knew that the wedding
gift had been the one extravaganza OF
his prudent life. He had paid seventy
five dollars for it, but no one ever knew
it except himself aud the man with the
red mustache. .-FJorence B. HallOUell.