Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-01
PRUDENCE L, ! :
OF THE PARSONAGE
h THE FAMOUS STORY OFAHApPY FAMILY
BY Efbe/Az1esf oz1 a. .=... r I.
Cory,rear .ca4ra5s ned


so they'll be prepared" @ '~
She turned gravely to the young
man beside her. He was Joking down
at her, too. And as their eyes met,
and chung for an instant, a slow dark
color rose in his face. Prudence felt
curious breathlessness-c by
her hurting ankle, undoubtedly.
my name is Prudence Starr am
the Methodist minister's Oldest daugh.
ter"
And my name is Jerrold Harmer. :"
He was looking away into the hickory
grove now. my home is In Des
Moines." r ~ s'
ooh, Des Moines is quite a city,
isn't it? I've heard quite a lot about
J it. 1t isn't so large as Chicago,
/ though, of course. know man who
lives in Chicago. We used to be great
chums, and he told me all about the
city Some day must really go
there-when the Methodists get rich
enough to pay their ministers just a
little more salary" Then she added
thoughtfully, Still, I couldn't 60 even
If had the money, because couldn't
leave the parsonage. So it's just as
well about the money, after all. But
Chicago must be very nice. He told
me about the White City, and the big
parks, and the elevated railways, and
all the pretty restaurants and hotels.
I love pretty places to eat You might
tell me about Des Moines. Is it very
nice? Are there lots Of rich people
therefor course, do not really care
any more about the rich people than
the others, but it always makes a city
seem grand to have lot of rich citi-
zens, think. Don't you?"
So he told her about Des Moines
and Prudence lay with her eyes halt
closed, listening, and wondering why
there was more music in his voice
than in most voices. Her ankle did
not hurt very badly. She did not Minis
it at all In fact, she never gave it a
thought. From beneath her lids, she
kept her eyes fastened on Jerrold Har-
mer's long brown hands, clasped
loosely about his knees. And when
ever she could she looked up into his
face. And always there was that curl
Gus catching in her breath, and she
looked away again quickly, feeling
that to look too long was dangerous.
81 have talked my share now he
was saying, tell me all about your
self, and the parsonage. and your fam
lily. And who is Fairy? And do you
attend the college at Mount Mark?
You look like college girl" ..r
"Oh, am not said Prudence, re-
luctant to make the admission for the
first time in. her life. II am too stupid
to be college girl Our mother is
not living and left high school five
years ago and have been keeping
house for my father and sisters since
then am 20 years old. How old are
your"
81 am IT. and he smiled.
"Jerrold Harmer," she said slowly
and very unsteady. 1T is such nice
name Do your friends call you
Jerry?"
Roldie, and sometimes Hammie. But
my mother always called me Jerry.
She isn't living now, either. You call
me Jerry. will you?'''. .,,,.-~.,a
YES, but it won't be proper. But
that never makes any difference to me
except when it might shock the
members! You want me to call you
Jerry, don't your
Eyes, | do. And when we are bet
ter acquainted, will you let me call
you Prudence?"
Call me that now.-I can't be too
particular, you see, when am lying
on your coat and pi1lowed with your
belongings. You might get cross and
take them away from me.-Did you
go to college," u ..a.... 7
Eyes, to Harvard, but I. was not
much Of studen. Then | knocked
around a while, looking at the world.
and two years ago went home to Des
Moines. l have been there ever since
except for little runs once in while"
Prudence sighed. ITO Harvard! -
am sorry now. that l did not go to
college myself. 7 ..,. III
Why? There doesn't seem to be
anything lacking about you. What do