Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-06-12
CHAPTER xIl-Continued.

all right, ana always was, am sure.
1t is nothing like that. l told him to
go, and not to come again. That is
ALL"
"But If he should come back now"
at would be just the same. Don't
worry about it, father. It's all right"
Prudence" he said more tenderly,
tive have been the closest of friends
and companions, you and I, from the
very beginning. Always you have come
to me with your troubles and worries.
Have l ever failed you? Why, then,
do you go back on me now, when you
really need me?"
Prudence patted his shoulder affec-
tionately, but her eyes did not meet
his. 81 do not really need you now,
father. 1t is all settled, and l am quite
satisfied. Things are all right with me
just as they are"
Then he took 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 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 1t, and
after the conversations you and l have
had, think have right to know
what has happened"
"Does she miss me? Does she seem
sorry that l am away? Does" His
voice was so boyish and so eager there
was no mistaking his attitude toward
Prudence.
Look here, Jerry, 1 want to know.
Why are you staying away?"
won't Prudence tell you?"
"No."
"Then l cannot. She made me prom
ise not to tell you n word. But Ii is
not my fault, Mr.. Starr / can tell you
that. 1t is nothing l have done or said.
She sent me away because she thinks
1t was right for her to do so, and-you
know Prudencel 1t is wrong, know.
knew 1t all the time. But l 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 a
moments notice.
The Ladies of the Methodist church
went to the parsonage, determined to
find out what's what" But when they
sat with Prudence, and looked at the
trail, 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. Its a 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 1t 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 a very serious mat
ter getting up therefor stiff joints,
of course, l mean. Lark and get up
easy enough"
For a moment Prudence sat silent
with qulvering 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
sayl"
Lark looked thoughtfully out of the
window, and Carol swallowed hard.
1t 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 1
had the right to do it, / was keeping
1t until the proper moment. But the
moment came, and went again. Still
l want you to have the gift. Please
wear it, for my sake, for l shall be
happy knowing it is where it ought to
be, even though l 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. 1t contained ring,
with a brilliant diamond flashing my
Rad colors before her eyes. And Pru-
dence kissed 1t 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.
"Jerry sent 1t to me-" she said. do
you think 1t is all right for me to wear
1t, fatherf"
A thrill of hopeful expectancy ran
through the little group.
Eyes. indeed" declared her father.
'How beautiful it is Is Jerry coming
to spend Christmas with us7'
'Why, no, father-he is not coming
at all any more. thought you under