The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-08-09
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Nsst Week
A Novel Into the Primitive"
A Week az
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(con,Insed from Our last Issue,

attractive to the unfortunate
professor, and he was not TO be
lightly shuntod aside.
He forgook tho Presbyterian
church. OF which he was member.
and attended the Methodist meet
lngs with commendable assiduity,
After each service. no accompanied
Prudence home,
lilo called IA often during the
week as propriety allowed. Pro
fessor Rayburn was considered
fixture In the parsonage household
by all except Prudence herself. who
chafed under her bondage.
Il Just can't blurt out that think
he's a nuisance" she mourned TO
Fairy. "oh. n he'd just do some
thing disgusting so | could fire him
Off Pop Just like that Wouldn't
II be glorious
Then came blessed evening
when the minister and Fairy were
away from home. and the twins and
Connie In bed Professor Rayburn
sat with Prudence In the cozy liv-
ingroom. and Prudence was charm
ing. and tho professor was only
human.
Prudence had made tea. and as
she rose TO relieve him of his
empty cup. he also rose TO return
II TO the table. Laughing. they put
IL down on the tray, each holding
one side OF the saucer. Then. when
Il was safely disposed OF. Prudence
turned toward him. stlll laughing.
and MIR. Rayburn. unexpectedly TO
himself as 10 her. put his arms
around her and kissed her.
lie was aghast at himself. once
II was over, and Prudence~-wcll.
Prudence was only relieved. for II
came 10 her in a flash that this Was
tho disgusting thing" for which
she had so ferventiy longcd.
mir. Rayhurn,"
That was very stupid and I'M
OF me. Prudence" he
said quickly. but when a man cares
for n girl as care for you. I, Isn't
always eaay for him TO be sober
and sensible. You shouldn't have
been 500 dear"
Prudence sighed happily. This
gave her the long desired cue.
Mr.. Rayburn." she said gently
but decidedly. 4 think you ought
not 10 come here any more"
which Is your way of sayinE
that you do no, like mo. isn't III"
"oh. like you. but" Prudence
threw out her hands exprsssively.
He took them In mis-. tendcrly. firm
ly
But. Prudence" he argued. that
"a because tho woman in you isn't
awake. You may never love me.
but don't you think u only fair that
you should give me a chance TO
try"
'oh. bu, that's Just tho point"
she cried. Il do not want you 10
~.
What Is there about me tha, you
do not iisef~ he demanded sudden
~. There is something. know"
And with her awful. unbelievable
honesty. Prudence told him. Yea.
she said, that r. true. hated to
mention Il. but there IL something
Mr.. Rayburn. Just can't stand tho
bugs"
Good heavens Tho what"
The bugsl cant bear for you
TO be near me. because keep won.
derlng II there are bugs IN your
pocket. I'm afraid they'll get over
on me. Even now Il makes me
SILVER when you hold my hands.
because I know you've been hand.
ling the horrible little creatures
with yours"
lie dropped her hands abruptly.
and stared at her.
And after you leave. ! get down
on my hands and knees and look
over the floor. and examine tho
chairs. to see n any have cravled
Off It's terrible feeling, Mr.. Ray
burn. You ROW told You hated
bugs-I'm afraid I've hurt your feel
ings." she said sadly.
There was long silence before
the man answered her.
Prudence" he said. you are
only a. girl--a childish girl. but a
very sweet one. when you grow
up. you are going TO be a wonder
fully good and lovely woman. /
am going to want you then. Let's
Just be friends now--for long time
yet? I'll promise on my word Of
honor never TO put another bug In
my pockets, or my handkerchieis.
But ! can't promise not to touch
them. for I have To do II In class.
That's how | earn my living But
| will wash my hands with scour.
ing soap, and rub them with cold
cream, and powder them. and per
fume them, before ever come near
you again. Won't that dor
Prudence shook her head. Il
know you are laughing at me" she
said. but | always told you ! was
lust a silly simpleton. And-it isn't
the bugs altogether. like II bet
ter TO be with my sister than
Than with me? see. As
said. the woman OF you is still
sleeping. Well. | won't bother you
any more for n long time. Prudence,
but some day will come back TO
you again"
Then he put his arms around her
again and whispered In her ear,
But | love you, Prudence, and-if
some one else should do the awak-
ening-it would hurt" Then he
kissed her. and went away.
But Prudence ran upstairs, sing
Ing happily.