Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1893-02-10
lost ono. But az she listened To tho

lost ono. But as she listened to the
familiar voice. while the face grew
more and more familiar she forgot
everything save that Prudence had
come back. Springing forward SIZE
would have clasped her in close
embrace. At that very instant how
ever Prudence started from her chair
and held out both hands with q warn
ing gesture.
NO Mary; no. my sister, criod
she; do not touch me. Your bosom
must not be pressed to minci"
Mary shuddered and stood still. for
she felt that something darker than
the grave was between Prudence and
herself though they seemed so near
each other in the light of their
fathers hearth whore they mad grown
up together. Meanwhile Prudence
threw her Dyes around the room in
search OF one who had not yet bidden
her welcome. He had withdrawn
from his seat by the Preside and was
standing near the door with his face
averted so that his features could DO
discerned only by the ilickerlng
shadow of the profile upon tho wall.
But Prudence called to him in cheer.
full and kindly tono:
Come. Robert" saia she. won't
you shake hands with your old friend?n
Robert held back for moment,
but atfe ,tion struggled powerfully
and overcame his pride and resent
mont He rushed towards Prudence
seized her hand and pressed it to his
bosom.
There there Robert" said she
smiling sadly us she withdrew her
hand. you must not give me too
warm a welcome"
And now. having exchanged greet.
ings with each member OF the family.
Prudence again seated herself in the
chair at John lnslelield's right hand
She was naturally girl OF quick and
tender sensibiities. gladstone in her
general mood. but with IL bewitching
pathos interfused among her merriest
words and deeds. 1t was remarked
OF her too. that she had faculty.
even in childhood OF throwing her
own feelings like spell over her
companions Such as she had been
in her days of innocence so did she
appear this evening Her friends
in the surprise and bewilderment of
her return almost forgot that she
had ever left them or that she had
forfeited any of her claims to their
affection. In the morni G perhaps.
they might have looked at her with
altered eyes but.by the Thanksgiving
fireside they felt only that their own
Prudence had come back to them and
were thankful. John Inglefield
rough visage frightened with tho
glow OF his heart as it grew warm
and merry within him. Once or
twice he even laughed until the room
rang again. yet seemed startled by
the echo OF his own mirth. The
grave young minister became as
frolicsome as school boy. Mary.
too the rosebud forgot that her twin
blossom had been torn from the stem
and trampled in the dust And as
for Robert Moore he gazed at Pru-
dence with the bashfuI earnestness
OF love new born. while she, with
sweet maiden coquetry, half smiled
upon and half discouraged him.
In short, it was one of those in.
own depth OF shadow and Joy starts
70, tn In transitory brightness. When
the clock struck 3. Prudence poured
out her fathers customary draught
OF herb tea which had been stepping
by the fireside ever since twilight.
GOD bless you childr" said John
lnglefeld, as he took the cup from
her hand; you have made your old
father happy again. But we miss
your mother sadly Prudence sadly.
IL seems as If she ought to be here
now"
Now, father, or never" replied
Prudence.
1t was now the hour for domestic
worship but while the family were
making preparations for this duty,
they suddenly perceived that Prudence
had put on her cloak and hood and
was lifting the latch OF the door
Prudence Prudence where are
you going?' cried they all with oae
voice.
As Prudence passed out OF the door
she turned towards them and flung
back her hand with gesture OF fare
we'll but her face was so changed
that they hardly recognized it Sin
and evil passion glowed through its
comeliness and wrought a horrible
deformity; u smile beamed in her
eyes as triumphant mockery at
their surprise aud grief.
daughter cried John Inglefeld.
between wrath and sorrow. stay and
be your fathers blessing or take his
curse with YOU
For an instant Prudence fingered
and looked back into the fire lighted
room. while her countenance wore
almost tho expression as if she was
struggling with a fend who had
power 10 seize his victim even within
the hallowed precincts of her fathers
hearth The flend prevailed and
Prudence vanished out into the
darkness. When the family rushed
TO the door they could see nothing,
but heard the sound of wheels rafting
over the frozen ground.
That same night among the
painted beauties of the theatre of a
neighboring city there was one whose
dissolute mirth seemed inconsist
with any sympathy for pure affec-
tions, and for the joys and griefs
which are hallowed by them. Yet
this was Prudence Inglefield. Her
visit to the Thanksgiving freside was
the realization OF one of those waking
dreams in which the guilty soul will
stray back Ito its limo.
Genoa Ruf Sin alaS il canof,,l IL