Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-12
PRUDENCE
OF THE PARSONAGE
THE FAMOUS STORY OF AflAPPY FAMILY =
Azbe/M1eshou
CorYl1cHr 1915 By TVS Bo,saMrns1Ll Co,

agon1zingly anxious, knowing that
! something was wrong. Prudence was
waiting for him, and rs he reached the
bottom step she clutched his hands
desperately. o., .,,... ..,..
Jerry" she whispered, ''I-forgive
mel honestly Oh, didn't think
what I was saying last night. You
were so { md was so happy, and
for viii aally believed We could
belong to #, Il other, But l can't. you
know. I've promised papa and the
girls dozen times that would never
marry. Don't you see how it is? I
must take It back"
| Jerry, smiled little, it must be ad-
mitted. This was so like his consci-
entious little Prudence! ...
! Dearest he said gently, you have
said that because you were not awake.
You did not love. But you are awake
now. You love me. Your father would
! never allow you to sacrifice yourself
! like that. The girls would not hear
of it.. They want you to be happy. And
you can't be happy without me, can
your"
Suddenly she crushed close to him.
"Oh, jerry" she sobbed, 81 will never
l.
| right for me to stay here, and be the
| mother in the parsonage. 1t is wicked
Of me to want you more than all of
them. Don't you see it is? They
haven't any one but me. OF course,
they would not allow it, but they will
not know anything about it. must
do it myself. And father especially
must never know. l want you to go
away this morning before breakfast
and-never come again"
She clung to him as she said this
but her voice did not falter. And you
must not write to me any more. For,
oh, Jerry, if see you again | can never
let you go, know it. Will you do
this for me?"
you've been up all night, haven't
you, dearest?"
''Yes-I remembered and then l
couldn't Sleep"
What have you been doing all
night? 1t is morning now"
Il walked up and down the floor
and pounded my hands together" she
admitted with mournful smile.
You are nervous and excited" he
said tenderly. Lets wait until after
breakfast. Then We'll talk it all over
with your father and it shall be as he
says. Won't that be better?"
ooh, no. For father will say what
ever he thinks will make me happy.
He must not know a thing about it.
Promise, Jerry that you will never tell
him one word"
II promise, of course, Prudence I
will let you tell him.
But she shook her head. He will
never know. Oh, jerry can't bear
to think Of never seeing you again
and never getting letters from you,
and 1t seems to kill me inside, Just
the thought Of it," '' 80 '-r'1+ >.'r~
"Sit down here nemy lap Put your
head on my shoulder, like that. Let
me rub your face a little. You're few
erish. You are sick. Go to bed, won't
you, sweetheart? We can settle this
later on"
you must go right away, or l can
not let you go at ALL"
DO you mean you want me to get
my things and go right now?'
yes She buried her face in his
shoulder. Tiff you stay in your
room until breakfast time, will lock
you in, so you can not leave me again.
l know it. ! am crazy today"
Don't you think you owe me some.
thing, as well as your father and sis
ters ? Didn't God bring us together and
make us love each other? Don't you
think He intended us for each other?
Do you wish you had never met me?"
Jerry"
Then, sweetheart, be reasonable.
Your father loved your mother, and
married her. That is Gods plan for
all Of us. You have been wonderfully
brave and sweet daughter and sister,
know. But surely Fairy is old
enough to take your place now
"Fairy's going to be a professor, and
the girls do not mind her very well.
And she isn't as much comfort to faith
ter as ! am. It's just because am