Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-15

I I'm sure you would fall in love
with him on the spot" Carol had said
to Prudence suggestively. j.
Prudence had only smiled, evident
ly in sarcasm! ....r.
| Jerry was very nice-oh. very nice
but you ought to see our little
Duck!' Carol ratified rashly. Pm
sure you wouldn't regret Jerry any
more if you could just get hold OF
Duckie. OF course, his being in New
York is an obstacle, but could intro
duce you by mall s, ~ .s..D
Il do not care for Ducks" said Pru-
dence. "Of course. they look very nice
swimming around on the water, but
when it comes to eating-Il take
spring chicken every time"
Carol did not mention Duck" again
for three days. .
| But there came day when Fairy
was out in the country. Connie had
gone driving with her father. The
moment had arrived. The twins had
their plan Of campaign memorized,
and they saunt cred in to Prudence
with a nonchalance that was all as
sumed.
Prudence" Lark began, we're
writing a book
That's nice" said Prudence. Con-
versation languished. The subject
seemed exhausted.
Carol came to the rescue. Its a
very nice book. It's a love story and
perfectly thrilling. Larkie does the
writing, but criticize and offer sug-
|gestions.' w. ......
| That's kind of YOU" u .s-..a i. .
[ A pause. w. -,
I'm going to dedicate it to Carol
To my beloved sister, to whose kind
or something like that" Lark ex-
planned hopefully. F., p.
How proud Carol will be-"
! A long pause. g.. ..~.
We're in very critical place just
now. though Lark seemed to be
| commencing at the beginning once
more eve have our heroine in a
very peculiar situation, and we cant
think what to do with her next" ~
How sad" ...--
Another pause.
1--WE thought maybe you could help
us out"
I'm afraid not" Prudence smiled
a little. 81 haven't any imagination.
Ask Fairy. She's strong on love
stories"
Maybe if we explain the situation
to you you could give us a sugges-'
ton. 1t is like this: The young peo-
pie have had all kinds of thrilling ex-
periences but they are not yet be-
trothed. But they are just on the
point of getting there-and something
crops up all of sudden! The hero
goes dashing away and returns no
more. The heroine lies upon her silk
en- couch, weeping, weeping. And no
one knows what to do about it, be-
cause no one knows what has hap
pened. What do you suppose could
have sent the lover away like THAR"
Maybe he hasn't enough money for
the heroine - $s3-j-t"1'@'-
"Oh, yes-hes very rich
Maybe, he is already married. 49,,
NO indeed. He's a bachelor"
Maybe he didn't love her after
all" ''~.
Here Carol chimed in helpfully.
"Oh, yes, he did, for we left him kiss
ing her all over the back yard, and he
wouldn't have done that if he hadn't
loved her, you know"
Prudence's eyes twinkled little,
but her smile was sad.
Now, what would you advise us to-
do?' inquired Lark briskly, feeling in
stinctively that Carol had explained
too much.
Prudence rose slowly. 81 think"
sn1, II
burn the book if l were you and pay
a little attention to my studies.'
Then she went upstairs and Carol
told Lark alphabetically that they
did not deserve an authoress in the
parsonage when they didn't give her
any more encouragement than that!
| On the day before Christmas an in
sured package was delivered at the
parsonage for Prudence. A letter was
with it and she. read, that first
"My dearest little sweetheart:
chose this gift for you long before I
had the right to do it. l was keeping
it until the proper moment But the
moment came. and went again. Still
want you to have the gift. Please
! wear it, for MY sake, for I shall be
! happy knowing it is where it ought
| to be, even though l myself am ban
| shed love you, Prudence. When
ever you send for me. am ready to
come Entirely and always yours,
Jerry
With trembling fingers she opened
| the little package. 1t contained a
ring, with a brilliant diamond flashing
myriad colors before her eyes. And
Prudence kissed it passionately,
many times.
J Two hours later, she went quietly.