The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-07
BY ETHEL HUESTON
Copyright, 1915.
BObbs, Merrill 90.
CHAPTER |.
Introducing Her.


town, and those who are honest
among them admit, although re-
luctantly, that Mount Mark can
boast of far more patriotism than
good judgment!
But the very most patriotic of
them all has no words of praise
for the ugly little red c., B. c O..
railway station.
Mount Mark is anything but
proud of the little station. At the
same time, 1t certainly does owe
the railroad debt of gratitude
for its presence there. 1t is the
favorite social rendezvous for the
community!
il Only four passenger trains daily
pass through Mount Mark - not
including the expresses, which
rush haughtily by with no more
than a scornful whistle for the
sleepy town, and in return for
this indignity, Mount Mark cher
ishes a most unchristian antip-
athy toward those demon filters.
But the "passengers"-ah. that
is different matter. The arrival
of passenger train in Mount
y Mark is an event--something in
the nature of q c., B. & @. "at
home" and is always attended by
large and enthusiastic gather
ing.
So 1t happened that one sultry
morning, late in the month of Au-
gust, there was the usual flutter
OF excitement on the platform.
A man in a black business suit
stood alone, his eyes wandering
from one to another of the
strange faces about him. His
plain white ready-made tie pro-
claimed his calling.
cts the new Methodist preach
err" volunteered the baggage
master.
They say he's got five kids
and most of them girls" respond
] ed the Adams Express man.
But the Methodist minister
gazing away down the track
where a thin curl of smoke an
nounced the coming of Number 8
and Prudence, heard nothing OF
this conversation.
Train going east"
The minister stood back from
the crowd, but when the train
came In brightness leaped into
his eyes that entirely changed
the expression of his face.
1 A slender girl stood in the YES
thule. When the train stopped
she leaped lightly from the steps.
"Oh, father!" And she flung her
arms about him joyously.
Her father kissed her warmly.
Where is your baggage?" he
asked, hand held out to relieve
her.
Here" And with a radiant
smile she thrust upon him a box
of candy and a magazine.
Your suitcase" he explained
patiently.
"Oh!" she gasped. "Run. ia
Their, run! l left it on the train!"
Father did run, but Prudence,
fleeter-footed, outdistanced him
and clambered on board, painting.
When she rejoined her father
her face was flushed. "Oh, ia
ther," she said quite snappily,
isn't that just like me?"
Eyes, very like" he agreed,
and he smiled. Where is your
umbrella?"
Prudence stopped abruptly. 81
don't know" she said, with a
stony face. Il guess didn't
bring it at ALL" She breathed
long in her relief. Eyes, that's
it, father, left it at Aunt Grace's.
Fairy'll bring it tomorrow. Isn't
it nice that we can count on
Fairy's remembering?"
Il Eyes, very NICE" he said, but
his eyes were tender as he looked
down at the little figure beside
him.
and SO this is Mount Mark!
This is a pretty street, isn't it?"
she cried. such nice big naples,
and such shady, porchy houses.
Has the parsonage porch "
Yes, big one on the south,
and a tiny one in front. That is
the college there. II opens in
three weeks, and Fairy can make
freshmen all right, they tell me.
/ wish you could go, too. You
haven't had your share OF any
thing-any good thing. Pru-
dence."
well, 1 have my share of you,
father" she said comfortingly.
I'VE have the house fixed up
pretty we'll, Prudence, but OF
course you'll have to go over II
yourself and arrange it as you
like. But remember this: You
! are not allowed to move the heavy
furniture"
Eyes, I'll remember think
will. I'm almost certain to re-
member some things, you know
81 must go to trustees meet
ing at 2 o'clock, but Mrs. Adams
is coming to help you this after.
noon. She is one of our ladies
and very kind. There. that Is the
parsonage!"
Prudence gazed in silence. Many
would not have considered 1t 9
beautiful dwelling, but to Pru
dence II was heavenly.
& The wide, grassy, shaded Lawn