The log cabin Democrat., 1916-03-25
PRUDENCE RIDING
By CICELY WEBB.
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cool, inviting, old-fashioned veranda where MT Riding had been seated when hs came forward to resent the intrusion of Hilda Hoover and her band of en- thasiasts. You see, we want to learn more about Prudence Riding. We have taken her as our patroness. We have named our organization after her. We are making the name of Riding famous"
 This with flourish and mock ora tory that drew a smile even from MT. Riding's vexed face. Hilda knew she was gaining ground She laughed one of her famous disarming, teasing laughs-it was that more than any thing else that made the district lead CT of her ward in the city come across" with his signature on the suf- frage petition-and Robert felt the ground slipping beneath his feet. He actually invited her to continue the conversation on the veranda, provid- ing, of course, she would not invite the rest of the pilgrims to join her.
 You see," said Hilda, settling her self gracefully in one of Roberts most comfortable chairs, ''I know that in- side that dark, interesting old house of yours 1 could find some papers, per haps diaries, that would tell me moro about Prudence. You know that you are very seldom here at Riding Hall, and all the rest of the time this won- derful old place is closed. Well, don't you think you could let us, the suf- fragists of our organization, 1 mean, have the privilege of visiting the house say one day a week? You know it is a sort of shrine to us. It is where our patroness lived and died and it was from this very house that she started out on her memorable trip to the leg islature. And another thing I want to ask, MT. Riding-when we get our lit- tie life of Prudence Riding ready, won't you let us have your photograph as a picture of the only living de- scendant of our illustrious heroine?"
 Robert gasped and jumped to his feet in amazement.
 Now, please, Mir Riding" Hilda Hoover soothed. T was almost sure you wouldn't. I could tell that you thought you opposed the suffrage just to look at you" Here again Hilda laughed her contagious laugh
 "Pd like to know how you could tell" he said.
 "In the first place, you are bach elor past thirty, and every bachelor past thirty thinks that woman's place is in the home. That's because he hasn't any woman in his home and doesn't ever expect to have. But just wait. One of these days, Mr. Riding, you are going to come around just as easily as that" Here, by a graceful gesture, Hilda Hoover expressed the case with which man could be mold ed into a thoroughgoing suffragist in the hands of suffragist wife.
 At that time Robert didn't under stand why he did it. He didn't even remember that he did 1t. But the fact remains that he consented to having Hilda Hoover examine the papers of the Giding family in search of the data needed for her life of Prudence Riding. And good half hour before the time set for the first visit he found himself pacing the veranda, watch in hand. It was true, he had to admit it to himself that there was something about Hilda Hoover-the contagious laugh and the teasing smile-and the eyes that looked at you one minute as straight and calm as you please and the next minute possessed the witch cry of g. coquette.
 Don't you think" said Hilda, when she arrived and had taken her place in the old library in front of chest of papers and documents that Robert had opened for her, don't you think that you can take time to go over these with me? ! don't feel that I am re- sponsible alone. They must be very precious to you"
 In spite of the fact that he had prom lsed to play a round of golf with neighbor that afternoon, Robert re- mained at home. When, after week Of visits Hilda Hoover expressed her desire to continue her investigation
 
 cancelled some important business en- agreements in the city in order not to miss her daily visits
 Anyway" said Robert, after they had turned the last page Of the old records that proved that Mistress Pru~ dence Riding actually did batter down the doors and that she was indeed a very militant woman, 'I don't blame her. 1 should think that this world would be better off today if there were few more women like her. I don't mean to boast, but I'm glad to have her for an ancestress. l like a woman with q mind of her own"
 Robert looked eagerly at the face of Hilda Hoover and then gazed up quick ly to the faded old portrait of Pru- dencc above the mantlepiece.
 Do you know he said. T think you 1@~