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


road leading between two rich
hickory groves. At the top of a
long hill, she gazed anxiously
around her. No one was in sight.
Prudence yearned for a coast.
| 1t seemed safe. The road
sloped gradually. The only liv-
ing thing was a sober-eyed mule
peacefully grazing near the bot
tom of the hill.
| Prudence laughed gleefully
again a child. She never laugh
ed again in exactly that way. This
was the last appearance of the
old irresponsible Prudence.
Here goes!" hse cried, and
the wind whistled about her in a
most celebrating way.
But as she neared the bottom
the placid mule. which had been
grazing beside the fence, sudden.
ly stalked into the middle of the
road.
Prudence screamed, jerked the
handle-bar to the right, then to
| tho lGAt, anu thCu Will SlChOu-
ing thud landed head first.
The bicycle crashed beside her,
and the mule ambled on across
the road.
Prudence tried to raise herself
but she felt sharp pain. She
heard some one leaping over the
fence near her. The next instant,
a man was leaning over, her.
Are you hurt?" he cried.
You poor child"
Prudence smiled pluckily. my
ankle is hurt little, but l am
not a child" #.H
The young man, in great relief,
laughed aloud, and Prudence
Joined him rather family.
I'm afraid 1 can not walk, .
she said. II believe I've broken
my ankle. It-hurts-pretty
badlyw
Lie down like this" he said,
helping her to a more comfortable
position, do not move May I
examine your foot?" s5fs#
She shook her head. but ne re-
moved the shoe regardless of her
head-shake. 81 believe it is
sprained. l am sure the bone is
not broken. But how in the world
will you get home? How far is it
to Mount Mark? Is that where you
live?"
YES" considering. Eyes, I live
there, and it must be four miles.
anyhow. What shall I do "
In answer, he pulled off his
coat, and arranged it carefully by
the side of the road on the grass.
Then jerking open the bag he had
carried, he took out a few towels,
and three soft shirts, hastily roll
ing them together for a pillow.
Then he turned again to Prudence.
I'll carry you over here, and
fix you as comfortably as / can.
Then I'll go to the nearest house
and get q wagon to take you
home"
But the first movement sent
such a twinge of pain through the
wounded ankle that she clutched
him frantically, and burst into
tears. cit hurts" she cried.
don't touch me-"
Without speaking. he lifted her
as gently as he could and carried
her to the place he had prepared
for her.
"I'll run. Do you know which
way is the nearest to q house?"
he asked.
1.-THE way l came is the nearest,
but It's two miles, I think"
I'll go as fast as / can, and
you will be all right. This con-
founded cross-cut is so out of the
way that no one will pass here
for hours, suppose"
Off he started, but Prudence,
left alone, was suddenly fright
ened. please, oh, please" she
called after him, and when he
came back she buried her face in
shame.
| "I'm afraid" she whispered,
crying again. "A snake might
come or a tramp"
! He sat down beside her. "You're
nervous. I'll stay with you until
you feel better. Some one may
come this way, but 1t isn't likely.
A man passed on the road a
ways back told me to cut Through
the hickory grove and / would
save mile of travel. That's how
happened to come through the
woods, and find you." lbas1
He smiled a little, and fPru-
dence, remembering the nature OF
her accident, flushed. Then, be-
ing Prudence, she laughed
ut was my own fault. Ishadl no
business to 60 coasting down like
that. But the mule was go sta
tionary. 1t never occurred to me
that he contemplated moving for
the next century at least"
I'm afraid your bicycle is
rather badly done up" qMtga
"Oh-whatever will MATTE
Moore say to me?" su1al
He looked at her curiousiy. This
was beyond his comprehension.
Prudence explained.
Maybe papa'll worry" she con-
cluded. but then. something al
ways does happen to me, 30 they'll
be prepared" :.
She turned gravely to the
young man beside her. He was
looking down at her, too. And
Al their eyes met. and chung for