Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-10
CHAPTER XIII. (Continued.)

CI1AFlEH ALL. (COuLluueu.J
That was the beginning of Pru.
{ dence's golden summer. She was not
/ given to self analysis. She did what
| seemed good to her always-she did
s not delve down below the surface for
reasons why and wherefore. She
n hadn't the time She took things as
\ they came. She could not bear the
4 thought of sharing with the parson-
Il age family even the least ardent and
most prosaic Of Jerrold's letters. But
v che never asked herself the reason.
4 It seemed positive sacrilege to leave
d his warm, life-pulsing letters upstairs
'sln bureau drawer. It was only ma
sstural and right to carry them In her
dress, and to sleep with them under
n her pillow. But Prudence did not won
Il der why. The days when Jerry came
& were TREMENDOUSLY happy ones for her
she was all aquiver when she heard
\ him swinging briskly up the ram
zsshackle parsonage walk and her
breath was suffocatingly hot. But she
took 1t as a matter Of course. The
nights when Jerry slept in the spare
y bedroom at the head of the stairs, Pru-
sdence lay awake, staring joyously In
sss 70 the darkness, hoping Jerry was
4 sound asleep and comfortable. But
y she never asked herself why she could
mot sleep! She knew that Jerry's voice
vas the sweetest voice in the world.
EsBhe knew that his eyes were the SOFT
Nost and brightest and the most tender.
she knew that his hands had thrill
ing touch quite different from the
touch Of ordinary, less dear hands.
Ey6he knew that his smile lifted her into
w delirium of delight and that even the
Thought of sorrow coming to him
$brouxht stinging tears to her eyes. But
why? All, Prudence never thought OF
that. She Just lived in the sweet &C.
static dream of the summer and was
well and richly content.
81 30 the vacation passed and Indian
S1eummer came. And the girls went
back to their studies once more, re-
luctantly, yet unaccountably glad IN
their reluctance. It Is always that
way with students-real students.
They regret the passing of vacation
days, but the thought Of going back
TO school has its own tingling joys OF
anticipation.
It was Saturday evening. The early
supper at the parsonage was over, the
twins had washed the dishes, and still
the daylight fingered. Prudence and
Jerry sat side by side, and closely, on
1.-The front porch, talking in whispers.
FAIRY had gone for a stroll with the
still faithful Babbie. Connie and the
twins, had evidently vanished. All
not quite that! Carol and Lark came
Eswiftly around the corner of the par.
Essonage.
Good evening"" said Lark politely,
land Prudence sat up abruptly. The
Twins never wasted politeness! They
wanted something.
I .sDo you mind If we take Jerry around
sby the woodshed for few minutes,
EPrue?"
"IIl come along said Prudence, ris-
ling. ..~.
"Oh, no." protested Lark, I'VE do not
want you-just Jerry, and only for
little while"
# Prudence shifted suspiciously.
what are you going to do to him."
she demanded. .
"Wewon't hurt him." grinned Carol
|impishly. 1--WE had intended to tie
him to stake and burn him alive.
But since you have interceded on his
behalf, we'll let him off with a simple
sscalping."
q Maybe he's afraid to come,' said
Lark, "for there are two Of us, and
we are mighty men of valor."
That's all right" Prudence answer
cd Prudence defensively. "Td soon
Ter face a tribe Of wild Indians any day
than you twins when you are mischief
bent"
oh, we just want him few min
sutes," said Carol impatiently. Upon
our honor, as Christian gentlemen, we
promise not to hurt hair Of his
head" Ed.
y "Oh, come along, cut out the COM
aedy," Jerry broke In, laughing. "Pll
be back in two minutes, Prue. They
probably want me to shoe chicken