Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-12-29

was bCrlQlHS aIOnS, SldSHlu6 luo broom blossoms savagely with my stick, when voice close behind me made me start violently.
 Even if you do feel cross, Tony, you needn't vent your i'll temper on the gorse." !
 And there was Prue! Prue! A mock ing. glowing gipsy of a Prue!
 I gripped her outstretched hands in trice, and we stood and laughed at each other foolishly.
 You here!" gasped.
 "Why not? I've just as much right as you" she said, with belligerent sparkle in her eyes.
 What have you been doing all this time?" I asked, ignoring her last re- mark.
 Enjoying myself. And what has my Uncle Tony been doing with him. self?'
 I'm not your uncle, Prue, and I wouldn't be for worlds"
 "Wouldn't you? We'll, you might have told me so gradually. You should always break that sort of thing gen. tly."
 "Prue, where's that guardsman" demanded, sternly.
 Give it up, ask me another" she replied, as she coolly borrowed my stick to play with.
 began to feel absurdly light-heart- ed, for that guardsman had weighed heavily.
 Am I to buy you a wedding present, Prue?"
 Dear Tony! How perfectly sweet of you. Why of course I'm always ready to receive presents. birthday, un- birthday or wedding. You see, it's never wise to refuse good offer, is it?'
 That depends on what you consider good," I said, gloomily. If you refer to the guardsman-well, of course, tastes differ"
 "How you do harp on the guards man." cried Prue. "A single string becomes monotonous, Tony" F.. True" I assented. "You never erred in that respect, Prue." Irony, when lady makes a great effort and offers to come for a walk with you, you should be pleasant and polite to her. At present you are neither"
 Are you coming for walk with me, Prue?" I said, gayly.
 "'Yes, if you ask, kind sir, she said.' Tony! Let's pretend the old days have come back, and you haven't grown old, and there's no guardsman at all, shall we? We'll be the Old and the Young Pretenders." |-s
 And what about the money?"
 The words had slipped out before was aware. Prue stopped and gave queer little, long drawn "Oh!" Then she said, softly:
 Irony, dear, let's pretend that the money came to you and not to me"
 "It's too impossible a case" said I. My pretending won't stretch to it."
 Then let's pretend we are both as poor as poor. What would you do, Tony?"
 Marry you tomorrow" again the words had slipped out before I could prevent them.
 There was a delicious peal of laugh ter from Prue, and then she said softly:
 shouldn't I have a voice in that matter, sir?"
 "Prue," I said, without looking at her, ''if we were both as poor as poor. and asked you to marry me, what would you say?"
 q should say Yes, please,'" said Prue.
 "Prue! Do you mean it, darling?" I cried, forgetting that it was a game. And I caught her to my heart and kissed her dear lips before she could answer.
 When I remembered, and, stricken with shame, released her, she stood blushing like a damask rose in front of me; then, giving me a swift, shy look from under her long lashes, she said:
 You do pretend well, Tony. It felt quite real. Didn't it to you?'
 Tt did" said, fervently, ''but it was only pretending, Prue."
 That's all" she assented, sadly. Tt was grateful and comforting, some how, Tony. wasn't it?"
 Comforting! There's nothing like it for comfort" exclaimed, tugging furiously at my mustache.
 We walked along some little way in silence. Then Prue's small. soft hand crept into mine and she said:
 Tony. let's lose the money or bury it. if you dislike 1t so, and let's go on pretending as long as we live"
 Now, what are you to do with a girl like that? Why, nothing, except thank God for heri
 And. after all. the money wasn't so objectionable-when you grew accus- toned to it.
 Value of Sanitation.
 We may find an excellent object les