The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-03-08
Maybe he will. but who will keep

/ Will uut WIN VIII httD
the parsonage while I am awayr
Fairy, to be sure. She must be a
good fairy once In a while. We can
take the twins with us, Connie. too,
II you like. and Fairy will only have to
mother your father"
prudence. shall we have tea or cof-
feel" This was Lark from the door
way. Fairy wants to know"
"what1-Oh (which do you want,
JcrryT
(which does your father preferT
He doesn't drink either except for
breakfast"
II generally drink coffee, but I do
not care much for 1t, 80 do not both
err"
Coffee, Lark"
"Did you ever have a lover, Pru-
dence7 A real lover, I mean"
"No, never did"
'T'm awfully glad Of that. III"
prudence. do you use half milk and
half water for creamed tomato soup.
or all milkr
"What7-Oh AN milk, Connie, and
tell Fairy not to salt 1t until 1t is en-
tirely done. or II may curdle."
"What In the world would they ever
do without you, Prudencef You are
the soul Of the parsonage, aren't your"
"No, I am Just the cook and the
chambermaId." she answered, laugh
Ing. But don't you see how hard 1t
will be for me to go awayr
But II isn't fairl Vacation Is COM
ing now. and Fairy ought to take
turn. What will they do when you get
married3"
II have always said would not get
married"
But don't you want to get married.
some timer
"Oh, that isn't II. I just can't be-
cause ! must take care Of the parson-
age, and raise the girls. I can't"
But you WILL" he whispered, and
his hand touched hers for just Sec
ond. Prudence did not answer. She
lifted her eyes to his face. and caught
In her breath once more.
A little later he said. do you mind
. VI ~ uIStuiIS anu thth W youE
a few minutesf Maybe I'd better"
But do not stay very long," she
urged, and she wondered why the
brightness and sunshine vanished from
the room when he went out. First
door to the right" she called after
him.
Mr.. Starr arose to greet him, and
welcomed him to his combination study
and bedroom with great friendliness.
But Jerrold went straight to the point.
"Mr. Starr. it's very kind Of you to
receive a perfect stranger as you have
me. But l understand that with girl
like Prudence. you will want to be
careful. l can give you the names Of
several prominent men In Des Moines,
Christians, who know me well, and
can tell you all about me-"
ut isn't necessary. We are parson-
age people. and are accustomed to re-
ceiving men and women as worthy of
our trust, until we find them different.
We are glad to count you among our
friends"
thank you, but-you see. Mr.. Starr,
this Is n little different. Some day,
Prudence and will want to be mar
ried. and you will wish to be sure
about me-"
"Does Prudence know about that7"
"No," with a smile. 1--WE haven't got
that far yet. But am sure she feels
1t. She hasn't-well, you know what
l mean. She has been asleep, but l
believe she Is waking up now"
"Yes. think so. Do you mind II !
ask you few QuestionsY"
"No. indeed. Anything you like"
swell. first, are you a Christian?"
"Not the kind you are. Mr.. Starr.
go to church. and believe the Bible.
though l seldom read 1t. But I'll get
busy now, II you like. l know Pru-
dence would make me do that" And
he smiled again.
do you drink"
81 did little, but promised Pru-
dence this morning would quit 1t. I
smoke, too. Prudence knows II. but
she did not make me promise to quit
that3" His voice was raised. inquir-
ingly.
"would you have promised. II she
had asked lit"
IT suppose I would" He flushed a
little. II know was pretty hard hit,