The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-09-03
PRUE.
ms. 5. EosALIE SILL

%And our wedding day shall be in just
a month from to-day, darling" said IIar-
~ Anger, softly. q want it to be when
the roses open their buds and send forth
their sweetest fragrance-someway you
always reminded me Of rose, Prue.'
al am very, very happy, Harry" an
swered Prue Elwood, with shining eyes.
'Too happy, fear, to have it last. Hark
does not the river have an undertone of
sadness 2''
"You are superstitious, darling. When
you are all my own no such morbid fan
cies shall shadow you life, for l will
cause it TO be one long, bright dream.
The river sings no unusual song TO me-
only, perhaps, more jubilant ripple be-
cause of our perfect happiness"
Prue's real name was Prudence, naned
for the grandmother who died before
she was born-yet no one thought of
calling the fair young girl, whose
hair held the brightness of burnish-
ed gold, and whose voice reminded
one of wood-Tobin in May, Prudence.
She was called often, though, "Our Viii
lage Rosebud" Prue was an orphan, her
mother having died when she was few
hours old, and her father ere she had
seen her first year The kind aunt who
had received her from her dying mothers
arms and cared for her with an unwaver-
/ ing solicitude until now, found il hard TO
surrender her claim to the gay, witty
young Harry Anger, who had come to
Hopeviile scarce one year before ; yet
when Prue pleaded that he was necessary
TO her happiness, the loving aunt could
not refuse her. There was wedding in
the quaint old church at Hopeville when
/ all the air was heavy with the fragrance
of the roses, and the young couple set up
housekeeping in a pretty little cottage
Just cut of the village, and close 10 the
river on whose banks they had spent so
many happy hours. What added much
to Prue's happiness was that Matte Al
ger, Prueis dearest girl friend, had mar
ried Tom Byrne and lived nearest neigh
bors 20 her
Harry Anger made very induigtnt
husband al irst, surrounding his young
wife not only with every comfort, tsdt
even life's luxuries as well. A daily in
tercourse was kept up between the cot
tages, and the two girl-brides were living
in an earthly Eden.
Something over a year had passed by
when in Prue's heaven appeared cloud,
mo bigger than a mans hand" Ii was
tthis Harry sometimes stayed out late
of an evening, and when he returned
Prue knew he had been drinking.
Before two years had passed Prue Aim
ger had a tiny little boy placed in her
arms, and she trembIed with the weight
of the responsibility resting upon her
she so young and the mother Of boy
its father gay tippler. In this her hour
of supreme need, she was led through
her friend Matte 80 cast her cares upon
Him who careth for U.s."
Harry's heart grew tender over the
helpless bit of Humanity which so deeply
appealed to his remaining manhood. For
a few days the Angel of Peace hovered
over the Anger household. But now
temptations awaited the partially re-
formed man, grown tender through good
resolutions he must treat" for was he
not proud yOung father?
Several times, through Prue's earnest
entreaties for her babe, Harry had re-
solved he would become sober, yet they
had only been resolutions born of human
weakness, as soon obliterated as the i'm
press of sands on a wave-washed shore
The little Claude was now over one
year old, and as comely little fellow as
Hopeville possessed. The Byrnes were
wrapped up in him, for as yet no Little
one had nestled in their home, so the
care he missed in father Claude found
in big-hearted tom Byrnes-
There's going to be concert in the
church 70 night, Harry" said Prue to her
husband one morning as they sat down
TO breakfast. @It's the only time con-
cert has ever been granted to HopeviIle,
and / would not miss hearing it for a
great deal. You know how fond am
of music and only TO think Of Claude's
hearing Il. too, Harry" and the eyes OF
the wife gIowed with enthusiasm.
"Pll be sure and take you, Prue, dar-
ling said Harry, as be bent to kiss the
cheek Of his wife-fOr Harry Anger
could stiIl be very gallant and lover-like
in the morning, whatever he was al
night.
"Be sure and come home early, Harry
for it begins at eight, aad l would not
miss one note" called Prue from the
porch
aI'H be sure TO be home early, dear
4 and do Won look your pretiiest, for YOU
| know 1 a1n very proud Of you" and ht
threw a kiss to her, as Claude crowed ir
her arms
The early twilight began to settle dowr
as Prue, standing on the porch watching
for Harry to come, saw Tom and Matte
pause at the gate, and Matte called out
) @Are you going to the concert, Prue ?
aOh. yes / am all ready now"
ssrs..,ar r,o along With No Harry eaI