The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-10

And my name is Jerrold Har-
mer." He was looking away to
the hickory grove now. my home
is in Des Moines."
TELL me about 1t, it will help
me forget my ankle"
So he told her about Des Moines
and Prudence lay with her eyes
half closed, listening, and won
dering why there was more music
in his voice than in most voices.
Il have talked my share now"
he was saying, "tell me all about
yourself, and the parsonage, and
lyour family. Do you attend col
lege at Mount Mark? You look
like a college girl"
"Oh, l am not" said Prudence,
reluctant to make the admission
for the first time in her life. 81
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. j
am twenty years old. How old
are your
81 am twenty-seven." and he
Smiled.
"Jerrold Harmer," she said
slowly and very unsteady. at is
such q nice name. Do your friends
call you jerry"
1.-THE boys at school called me
Roldie. But nv mother always
called me Jerry. She isn't living
now, either. You call me Jerry.
will your" i
Eyes. l will. 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, I do. And when we are
better 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 pill0wed
with your belongings. Did you go
to college?"
Eyes, to Harvard" and for sew
eral hours they exchanged conf
dences.
And, in the meanwhile, at the
parsonage, Fairy was getting
breakfast. Prudence went out
for an early bicycle ride-so the
members wouldn't catch her." she
explained to the family. "fIefe,
twins, you carry in the oatmeal.
No use to wait for Prudence
would be like waiting for the next
comet"
Indeed, II was after noon when
a small. ione-horse spring wagon
drove into the parsonage yard.
And there was Prudence!
Comics single bed was hastily
brought downstairs, and Prudence
deposited upon it. There's 40
use to put-me upstairs" she as
sured them. l want to be down
here where I can boss the girls.
The doctor came and bandaged
the swollen ankle. After that. the
family grouped about the little
single bed In the CHEEKY sitting
room.
Whose coat is this, Prudence?"
asked Connie.
And where in the world did
you get these towels and silk
shirts?" added Fairy.
PratS lea biushci most exquis-
itely. They are Mr.. Harmer's,"
she said, and glanced nervodsly at
her father.
"Whose?" chorused the family.
''If you will sit down and Peep
still, l will tell you all about It.
But you must not interrupt me.
What time is it, Fairy"
1.-TWO o'clock"
ooh, two. Then l have plenty Of
time" and she proceeded to make
them all laugh over the mule, end
ing with: Then Mr.. Davis came
along with his cart, and Jerry
er-Harmer, you know. helped
put me in, and the cart was SO
small they both had to walk"
Where is he now?" is he
Iyoung?" "Is he handsome /" Ibid
he look rich?"
Don't be silly. girls. He went
to the hotel. I suppose. Anyhow,
he left us as soon as we reached
town. He said he was In hurry
and had something to look afUr.
His coat was underneath me in the
wagon, and he wouldn't take 1t
out for fear of hurting my ankle. I"
Hell have to come for his
coat said Lark. "W'e're bound
to see him."
where does he live? What was
he doing in the hickory grover"
inquired Mr.. Starr, with a strange
ly sinking heart. for her eyes were
aligLt with new and wonderful
radiance.
"He lives In Des Moines. He
vas just walking int, town, and
took a short cut through the
grove"
walking! From Des Moines?"
Prudence flushed uncomfort-
ably. 81. didn't think of that" she
said. But I'm sure he's no tramp,
II that is what you are thinking"
Il am not thinking anything of
the kind, Prudence" he said with
dignity. But do think II rather
strange that a young man should
set out TO walk from Des Moines
to Mount Park. And why should
he be ut It SO early In the morn
fuxf"