The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-04-27
CHAPTER xll--contInued.


! 1t Is nothing like that. told him to
go. and not to come again. That is
ALL"
But II ne should come back now"
ut would be just the same. Don't
worry about II, father. It's all right"
"Prudence.H he said, more tenderly,
1--WE have been the closest of friends
and companions, you and /, from the
very beginning. Always you have come
TO me with your troubles and worries.
Have ! ever failed your Why, then,
do you go back on me now, when you
really need met"
Prudence patted his shoulder affec-
: tionately, but her eyes did not meet
: his. II do not really need you now,
father. IT Is all settled, and am quite
satisfied. Things are all right with me
just as they are"
J Then he took a serious step, without
, her knowledge. He went to Des
Moines and had visit with Jerry. He
found him thinner, his face sterner,
his eyes darker. When the Office boy
announced "Mr. Starr" Jerry ran
quickly out TO greet him.
rs she all rlghtT he cried eagerly,
almost before he was within hailing
distance.
Mr.. Starr did not mince matters.
"Jerry," he said abruptly, did you and
Prudence have quarrel? She de-
clines to tell me anything about 1t, and
after the conversations you and have
had, think | have right to know
what has happened"
Does she miss me? Does she seem
sorry that | am away7 Does" His
voice was SO boyish and so eager there
was no mlstahing his attitude toward
Prudence.
Look here, Jerry. want to know.
Why are you staying awayT
"Won't Prudence tell your
"No."
"'rhen cannot. She made me prom
2 Use not TO tell you word. But 1t Is
O. not my fault, Mr.. Starr. can tell you
A. that. IL Is nothing have done or said.
n She sent me away because she thinks
q 1t was right for her to do 50, and--you
know Prudencel II Is wrong, | know,
n. knew 1t all the time. But couldn't
IL make her see Il. And she made me
Mt promise not TO tell"
In the end Mr.. Starr went back to
II the parsonage no wiser than he left
nj save that he now knew that Jerry was
d. really not to blame, and that he held
e himself ready to return to her on q
Il, moments notice.
S. The Ladies' of the Methodist church
q were puzzled and exasperated. They
went to the parsonage, determined to
y Find out what's what" But when they
r sat with Prudence, and looked at the
II frail, pathetic little figure, with the
:. mournful eyes-they could only sigh
with her and go their ways.
The twins continued to play In the
I, great maple, even when the leaves
: were fallen. tits dandy place, l
tell you, Prudence" cried Carol. "Jer-
! ry didn't have time to put up the rope
" before Connie pulled him down, but
we've fixed II ourselves, and II Is Sim
'e pIy grand. You can go up and swing
Y any time you like-unless your joints
u are too stint It's very serious mat
" ter getting up therefor stiff joints
x OF course, mean. Lark and l get w
IT, easy enough"
d with quivering lips. Then she burst
ld out with unusual passion, Don't yor
en- ever dare climb that tree again al
al long as you live, twins Mind wha
lr / saym
Lark looked thoughtfully out of tn,
- window, ana Carol swallowed hard
90 1t was she who said gently, "why, o
e, course, Prue-just as you say
- On the day before Christmas an in
~ sured package was delivered ut tn
II parsonage for Prudence. A letter wa
-, with 1t. and she read that first.
~ My dearest little sweetheart:
~ chose this gift for you long before
had the right to do 1t. l was keepin
en- 1t until the proper moment. But tn
en- moment came, and went again. Sti
OF l want you to have the gift. Pleas
RIA wear II, Cor my sake, for l shall
ea happy knowing 1t is where it ought {
be, even though myself am banisheC
INT love you. Prudence. Whenever yo
lis send for me, am ready to come Ell
ian tirely and always yours, Jerry"
led With trembling fingers she opene
the little package. 1t contained a rim
eat with a brilliant diamond flashing m,
os Rad colors before her eyes. And Pr
ap- dence kissed it passionately, mar
m. times.
ac- Two hours iater, she went quiet
is downstairs TO where the rest OF Il
family were decorating Christina
tree. She showed the ring to the
~ gravely.
u "Jerry sent 1t to me-" she said. 81
N you think it is all right for me to we
u it, father?"
al thrill of hopeful expectancy r;
mp through the little group.
anu Eyes. indeed" declared her faith,
NOT "How beautiful it Isl Is Jerry conf
to spend Christmas with us?"
hip "Why M father-he is NOT comi