Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1917-03-28

quickly out TO greet MIN.
rs she all right?" 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 it, and
after the conversations you and have
had, I think l have right to know
what has happened"
"Does she miss me? Does she seem
sorry that I am away? Does His
voice was so boyish and so eager there
was no installing his attitude toward
Prudence.
"Look here, Jerry, want to know.
Why are you staying away?"
"Won't Prudence tell you?'
"No.'
Then cannot. She made me prom
Use not to tell you word. But it is
not my fault, Mr.. Starr. I can tell you
that. It is nothing have done or said.
She sent me away because she thinks
1t was right for her to do so, and-you
know Prudence! It is wrong, know.
knew it all the time. But couldn't
make her see it. And she made me
promise not to tell"
In the end Mr.. Starr went back to
the parsonage no wiser than he left,
save that he now knew that Jerry was
really not to blame, and that he held
himself ready to return to her on
moments notice.
The Ladies Of the Methodist church
we're puzzled and exasperated. They
went to the parsonage, determined to
find out what's what" But when they
sat with Prudence, and looked at the
;rail, pathetic little figure, with the
mournful eyes-they could only sigh
with her and go their ways.
The twins continued to play in the
great maple, even when the leaves
were fallen. cts dandy place, I
tell you, Prudence" cried Carol. "Jer-
~ didn't have time. to put up the rope
before Connie pulled him down, but
we've fixed it ourselves, and it is sim
ply grand. You can go up and swing
any time you like-unless your Joints
are too stiff! It's very serious mat
ter getting up therefor stiff joints,
IF course, I mean. Lark and get up
easy enough
For a moment Prudence sat silent
with quivering lips. Then she burst
out with unusual passion, Don't you
ever dare climb that tree again as
long as you live, twins! Mind what
say!"
Lark looked thoughtfully out of the
window, and Carol swallowed hard.
It was she who said gently, "Why, of
course, Prue-just as you say
On the day before Christmas an in
sured package was delivered at the
parsonage for Prudence. A letter was
with it, and she read that first.
"My dearest little sweetheart /
chose this gift for you long before
| had the right to do it. I was keeping
i it until the proper moment. But the
moment came, and went again. Still
want y>u to have the gift. Please
wear it, for my sake, for I shall be
happy knowing it is where it ought to
be, even though myself am banished.
love you, Prudence. Whenever you
send for me, am ready to come. En-
tirely and always yours, jerry
! With trembling fingers she opened
| the little package. It contained ring,
with brilliant diamond flashing my
! Rad colors before her eyes. And Pru-
lence kissed it passionately, many
times.
Two hours later, she went quietly
downstairs to where the rest Of the
family were decorating a Christmas
tree. She showed the ring to them
gravely.
GERRY sent it to me-" she said. do
you think it is all right for me to wear
It, father?"
A thifll of hopeful expectancy ran
through the little group.
"Yes, indeed" declared her father.
How beautiful it is! Is Jerry coming
70 spend Christmas with us?"
why, no, father-he is not coming
at all any more. thought you under
stood that
An awkward silence, and Carol came
brightly to the rescue. 1T certainly is
Q beauty! thought it was very kind
Of Professor Duckie to send Lark and
me five-pound box of chocolates, but
Of course this is ever so much nicer.
Jerry's bird, I say
"A bird" Knocked Fairy. "Such Ian
guage."
Lark came to her twins defense.
Yes, a bird-that's just what he is"
Carol smiled. 1--WE saw him use his
wings when Connie yanked him out Of
the big maple, didn't we, Lark" Then,
did you send him anything, Prue?'
Prudence hesitated, and answered
without the slightest accession of coll
Or, Eyes, Carol. / had my picture
taken when I was IN Burlington, and
sent It to him."
"Your pictured Oh, Prudencel
| Where are they? Aren't you going to