Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-05-15
CHAPTER xII-continued.

DuL IL lie Guile DICK uOW-
ut would be just the same. Don't
worry about it, father. It's all right"
Prudence" he said, more tenderly,
Eve have been the closest of friends
and companions, you and l, from the
very beginning. Always you have come
to me with your troubles and worries.
Have i ever failed you? 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. Il 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 q serious step, without
her knowledge. He went to Des
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 a quarrel? She de-
clines to tell me anything about it, and
after the conversations you and have
had, think have a right to know
what has happened"
Does she miss me? Does she seem
sorry that / am away? Does" His
voice was so boyish and so eager there
was no mistaking his attitude toward
Prudence.
Look here, Jerry, want to know.
Why are you staying away?"
won't Prudence tell your"
"No."
''Then cannot. She made me prom
Use not to tell you q word. But it is
not my fault, Mr.. Starr. can tell you
that. 1t is nothing 1 have done or said.
She sent me away because she thinks
1t was right for her to do so, aEd-yOu
know Prudence! 1t is wrong, l know.
/ knew it all the time. But 1 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
werC puzzled and exasperated. They
70 hn 6ofnrys0fn N or IN
Sind out what's what" But when they
sat with Prudence, and looked at the
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
great maple, even when the leaves
were fallen. Its q 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 it ourselves, and it is SIM
ply grand. You can go up and swing
any TINA you like-unless your joints
are too stiff It's very serious mat
ter getting up therefor stiff joints,
of course, / mean. Lark and get up
easy enough"
For 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
sayw
Lark looked thoughtfully out of the
window, and Carol swallowed hard.
1t was she who said gently, ''Why, of
course, Prne-just as you say"
On the day before Christmas an In
sured package was delivered at the
parsonage for Prudence. A letter was
with 1t, and she read that first.
MY dearest little sweetheart: 1
chose this gift for you long before l
had the right to do it. was keeping
1t until the proper moment. But the
moment came, and went again. Still
want Y u to have the gift. Please
wear Ii, for my sake, for l shall be
happy knowing it is where 1t ought to
be. even though l myself am banished.
love you. Prudence. Whenever you
send for me, 1 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 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.
Jerry sent 1t to me-" she said. do
you think it is all right for me to wear
it, father?"
A thrill of hopeful expectancy ran
through the little group.
ayes. indeed" declared her father.
How beautiful # isl Is Jerry coming
10 spend Christmas with u.s."
"Why, no. father-he is not coming
at all any more. thought YOU under
stood that"
An awkward silence. and Carol came
brightly 10 the rescue. lit certainly is
a beauty! / thought It was very sind
"a 4 ACANSStA AGNhAC To SGuQ LARK ana
me five-pound box of chocolates. but
OF course this is ever so much nicer.
Jerry'S bird, l say"
a bird - Knocked Fairy. such Ian
guage"
Lark came TO her twins defense.
"Yes, bird-thatS just what he is"
Carol smiled. ave saw him "a 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 col
or. 'YeS, Carol. ] had my picture
taken when was in Burlington. and
sent II to him"
Your picture Oh, Prudence I
Where are they? Aren't you going TO
give Us oneT"