The Huttig news., 1917-02-10


 jacket and cap, set out upon her secret ride It was magnificent morning and Prudence sang for pure delight aS she rode swiftly along the country roads, guided only by her own caprice. She knew it was growing late. but Fairy'll get breakfast" she thought. comfortably.
 Finally she turned in by-road lead ing between two rich hickory groves. Dismounting at the top of long hill, she gazed anXiously 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 good, soul-stirring coast, with her feet high on the framework of the wheel, and the pedals flying around beneath her skirts. If seemed safe. The only living thing in sight was soher-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 goes !' sIe cried, and. leaping nimbly into the saddle, she pedaled swiftly a few times, and then lifted ha feet to the coveted position. The pedals flew around beneath her, and the wind whistled about her in most exhila- rating way.
 But as she neared the bottom the placid mule suddenly stallled into the middle of the road. Prudence screamed. jerked the handlebar to the right to the left. and then, with 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 ambied 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 if it could be a tramp bent on highway robbery. The next instant a man was leaning over her. Its not il tramp" she thought, before he had time to speak.
 Are you hurt?" he cried. You poor childt'
 Prudence smiled pluckily. My ankle is hurt little, but I am not a child"
 The young man, in great relief, laughed aloud, and Prudence joined him rather faintly.
 ''I'm afraid l cannot walk" she said ''I believe Eve broken my ankle, maybe my whole leg, for all | know. It. hurts-pretty badly !"
 Lie down like this" he said. helping her to a more comfortable position. do not move. May examine your foot?'
 She shook her head, but he removed the shoe regardless of her headshake "I 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 "yes, I live there, and ii must be four miles, any how. What shall 1 do?n
 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 few towels, and three soft shirts. Hastily rolling them together for a pill low, he added il to the bed pro tenn. Then he turned again to Prudence.
 I'll carry you over here, and fix you as comfortably as I can. Then I'll go to the nearest house and get a 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. q think l can walk if you lift me up."
 But the first movement sent such twinge of pain through the wounded ankle that she clutched him frantically and burst into tears. Tt 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 enough?" he. asked, after he had stood looking awkwardly down upon the sobbing girl as long as he could endure it.
 'Yes," nodded Prudence, gulping down the big sob rising in her throat.
 I'll run. This confounded cross-cut is so out of the way that no one will pass here for hours, suppose. Now lie as comfortably as. you can, and do not worry. I'm going to run"
 Off 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. "I 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 cone this way. but it isn't likely I cut through the hickory grove to save mile. That's