Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-11-03
PrudenceSaysSo
BIZ Ethel HuestOt1,
Author of Prudence of the Parsonage
The Bobbs-Merrill Co.. Publishers, Indianapolis

ssNssusubbuussuuuslbsiul susuSs1usuSutSsIuSusu"'
i've song. And Connie, light hearted,
free from care, in love with the whole
wide world, sang, too, pausing only
now and then to thrust a ripe cherry
between her teeth.
She did not hear the prolonged ring
ing of the front door bell. She did
not observe the young man in the
most immaculate Of white spring suits
who came inquiringly around the
house. But when the chattering of a
saucy robin became annoying. +: she
flung cherry pit at him Grossly.
ooh, chase yourself!' she cried. And
nearly fell from her perch in dismay
when low voice from beneath said
pleasantly:
| 81 beg your pardon! Miss Starr"
Connie swallowed hard, to get the
last cherry and the modification out
of her throat.
yes" she said, noting the immacu-
late white spring suit, and the hand
some shoes, and the costly Panama
held SO lightly in his hand. She knew
the Panama was costly because they
had wanted to buy one for her fathers
birthday, but decided not to.
Il am Andrew Hedges he explain
ed. smiling socially.
Connie wilted completely at that.
Good night" she muttered with a
| vanishing mental picture of their
lovely preparations the day previous.
| "I-mean good morning. I'm so glad
to meet you. You-you're late, aren't
you? mean. aren't you ahead of your
| self? At least, you didn't write, did
you?"
| "No, was not detained as long as I
had ANTICIPATED, so came right on.
But Pm afraid I'm inconveniencing
you"
ooh, not bit. I'm quite comfort
able" she assured him. "Auntie is
gone Just now and the twins are away
too, but they'll all be back presently"
She looked longingly at the house.
'I'll have to come down. suppose
| Let me help you he offered Gag
erly. Connie in the incongruous
clothes, with the little curls straying
beneath the ragged ribbon. and with
stains Of cherry on her lips, looked
more presentable than Connie knew.
| ooh, l. she hesitated, flushing.
"Mr. Hedges she cried imploringly,
twill you just go around the corner
until I get down. look fearful
| mot bit Of it." he said. Let me
take the cherries"
! Connie helplessly passed them
down to him and saw him carefully
depositing them on the ground. Just
give me your hand
| And what could Connie do? She
couldn't sternly order millionaires
| tlo
mind his own business until she got
some decent clothes on. though that
was what she yearned to do. Instead
she held out slender hand, grimy and
red. with few ugly scratches here
and there, and allowed herself to be
helped ANONYMOUSLY out from the
sheltering branches into the garish
| light of day.
She looked at him reproachfully.
He never so much as smiled.
| Laugh if you like, she said bitter.
Ily. II looked in the mirror. | know
all about it."
Run along he said. but don't be
gone long, will you? Can you trust me
with the cherries?'
Connie walked into the house with
great decorum, afraid the ragged
skirts might swing revealingly. but
the young man bent over the cherries
while she made her escape.
| 1t was another Connie who appeared
little later, typical tennis girl all
| in white from the velvet band in her
| hair to the canvas shoes on her dainty
feet. She held out the slender hand
no longer grimy and stained. but its
Wilderness still marred with sorry
! scratches.
Il am glad to see you she said
,. gracefully, though l can only pray
you won't carry mental picture OF
me very long"
I'm afraid l will though" he said
| teasingly.
| Then please don't paint me verbal
! " for my sisters ears: they are al
ways 50 clever where ! am concerned.
! It is too bad they are out. You'll stay
| for luncheon with me, won't you? I'm
all alone-we'll have it in the yard.
1T sounds very tempting, but-per-
haps | had better come again later in
the afternoon"
| you may do that. too said Connie.
But since you are here. I'm afraid
,, | must insist that you help amuse me-
! And she added ruefully. Since | have
done so well amusing you this morn
ing"
why, he's just like anybody else"