Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-12

most like mother, you see. But any
how, promised. l can't leave them.
Your father expects you to marry
and to marry me. l told him about i
myself, long ago. And he was perfect
ly willing. He didn't say a wore
against it,"
"Of course he wouldn't. That's JUS
like father. But still, I promised
And what would the girls say if
should 60 back on them? They have
trusted me, always. If l fail them
will they ever trust anybody else? L
you love me, Jerry, please 60, and stay
away" But her arm frightened abou
his neck. I'll wait here until you gel
your things, and we can-say good-by
And don't forget your promise"
"Oh, very well, Prudence he an
swered, half irritably, If you insist or
ordering me away from the house like
this, l can only go. But
Let's not talk any more about 1t
Jerry. Please. I'll wait until you
come down
When he came down little later.
with his suit case, his face was white
and strained.
She put her arms around his neck.
Jerry" she whispered, Il want to
tell you that l love you so much that
Il could go away with you, and never
see any of them any more, or papa, 'or
the parsonage, and still feel rich, if
I just had you! You-everything in
me seems to be all yours. love you. ="
Her tremulous lips were pressed
against his. ~. 10
"Oh, sweetheart, this is folly. all
is wrong, 1t is wickedly wrong, but"
But I am all they have, Jerry, and
Il promised" ~,
whenever you want me, Prudence,
just send. I'll never change. I'll al
ways be just the same. God intended
you for me, l know, and-I'll be wait
ing"
Jerry! Jerry! jerry" she whisper
ed passionately, sobbing, Quivering in
his arms. It was he who drew away.
"Good-by, sweetheart" he said
quietly, great pity in his heart for the
girl who in her desire to do right was
doing such horrible wrong. "Good-by,
sweetheart Remember, l will be
waiting. Whenever you send, I will
come
He stepped outside, and closed the
door, Prudence stood motionless, her
longer hear his footsteps. Then she
dropped on the floor, and lay there,
face downward, until she heard Fairy
moving in her room upstairs. Then
she went into the kitchen and built the
fire for breakfast.
CHAPTER XIV. '~.-~
She Comes 70 Grief.
Fairy was one of those buoyant,
warm blooded girls to whom sleep is
indeed the great .restorer. She slept
sweetly, dreamlessly. And
every morning she ran down stairs so
full of animation and life that she
seemed all atingle to her finger tips.
Now she stood in the kitchen door,
tall cheeks glowing, eyes sparkling,
and smiled at her sisters solemn back.
you are the little mousey, Prue."
she said, in her full rich voice. II
didn't hear you come 10 bed last night
and l didn't hear you letting out this
l am an abominably solid
sleeper, am l not? Shall l get the
maple strip for the pancakes? l won
der if Jerry knows We only use maple
strip when he Is here. I'm constantly
Connie to give it away. Why
am always so ravenously hungry in
the morning? Goodness knows 1 eat
Why, what is the matter?"
For Prudence had turned her face to-
ward her sister, and it was so white
and so unnatural that Fairy was
shocked. ',, S.. 80 ~. .-
prudence! You are sick! Go to bed
and let me get breakfast. Why didn't
you call me? I'm real angry at you,
Prudence Starr! Here, get out of this,
and will"
There's nothing the matter with
me. I had a headache, and did not
sleep, but I am all right now. Yes,
bring the strip, Fairy. Are the girls
up YETI"
Fairy eyed her suspiciously. Jerry
is out unusually early, too, isn't he?
His door is open. l didn't hear him
coming down so he must have quite
outdone himself today. He generally
has to be called twice"
Jerry has gone, Fairy" Prudence's
back was presented to view once more,
and Prudence was stirring the oat
meal with vicious energy. "He left
early this morning. suppose he is
half way to Des Moines by now"
"Oh!" Fairys voice was noncom-
initial.
will you get the strip now?'
Yes, of course. When is he coming
back?" ....,.
"He isn't coming back. Please
hurry, Fairy, and then call the 9TH
ers. The oatmeal is ready