The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-02-22

Dismounting at the top OF long hill,
she gazed anxlously around her. No
one was In sight. The nearest house
was two miles behind, and the road
was long and smooth and inviting,
and the hill was steep. Prudence
yearned for a good. soui-stirring coast,
with her feet high on the framework
of the wheel, and the pedals flying
around beneath her skirts. II seemed
safe. The only living thing In sight
was a sober-eyed, serious mule peace
fully grazing near the bottom Of the
hill.
Prudence laughed gleefully, like a
child. She never laughed again In ex-
actly that way. Here goesl" she
cried, and, leapIng nimbly into the
saddle, she pedaled swiftly a few
times, and then lifted her feet to the
coveted position. The pedals few
around beneath her, and the wind
whistled about her In a most exhila-
rating way.
But as she neared. the bottom the
placid mule suddenly stalked into the
middle Of the road. Prudence screamed,
jerked the handlebar to the right, to
the left. and then, with a sickening
thud, she struck the mule head first,
and bounced on down to the ground,
with little cry Of pain. The bicycle
crashed beside her, and the mule,
slightly startled, looked around at her
with ears raised In silent questioning.
Then he ambled slowly across the road,
and deliberately continued his grazing.
Prudence tried to raise herself. but
she felt sharp pain. She heard some
one leaping over the fence near her,
and wondered. without moving her
head. II II could be tramp bent on
highway robbery. The next instant
man was leaning over her. Its not
tramp" she thought, before he had
time to speak.
"Are you hurtr he cried. "You poor
child"
Prudence smiled pluckily. MY ankle
Is hurt a little, but am not child"
The young man. In great relief.
laughed aloud, and Prudence Joined
him rather family.
I'm afraid I cannot walk" she said.
II believe I've broken my ankle. maybe
my whole leg, for all I know. It
hurts-pretty badlyi"
'Lie down like this" he said, helping
her to more comfortable position. do
not move. May examine your foot7'
She shook her head. but he removed
the shoe regardless Of her headshake.
II believe It Is sprained. l am sure
the bone is not broken. But how In
the world will you get homer How far
Is II to Mount Mark2 Is that where
you liver
"Yes" - considering Eyes. I live
there. and II must be four miles, any
how. What shall I dor"
In answer, he pulled of his coat, and
arranged II carefully by the side Of the
road on the grass. Then Jerking open
the bag he had carried. he took out q
few towels, and three soft shirts.
Hastily rolling them together for pill
low. he added It to the bed pro TEN.
Then he turned again to Prudence.
"Tll 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"
Prudence was not shy, and realizing
that his plan was the wise one, she
made no objections when he came to
help her across the road. II think I
can walk II you lift me up"
Int ha
twinge Of pain through the wounded
ankle that she clutched him frantically
and burst into tears. ut 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.
"Will you be warm enoughf" he asked.
after he had stood looking awkwardly
down upon the sobbing girl as long
as he could endure II.
EYES," nodded Prudence, gulping
down the big sob rising in her throat.
"I'll run. This COMPOUNDED cross-cut
is SO out Of the way that no one will
pass here for hours. l suppose. Now
lie as comfortably as you can. and do
not worry. I'm going to run"
on he started. but Prudence, left
alone. was suddenly frightened.
"Please. oh. please" she called after
him. and when he came back she buried
her face In shame, deep In the linen
towel.
I'm afraid" she whispered. crying
again. II do not wish to be left alone
here. A snake might come. or a
tramp"
He sat down beside her. you're
nervous. I'll stay with you until you
feel better. Someone may come this
way. but II isn't likely. ! cut through
the hickory grove to save mile. That's
how ! happened TO find you" He
smiled little. and Prudence, remem-
bering the nature of hes accident.
flushed. Then, being Prudence. she
laughed.
1T was my own fault. l had no busi-
ness 10 go coastlng down like that. But
the mule wns SO stationary. 1t never
occurred to me that he contemplated
mnxylnu 10 M