The Huttig news., 1917-02-17

l parsonage in your hands now, Prue. l want to write to Aunt Grace I'll be 1 just at the head of the stairs, and il Prudence wants me, you will call won't you, Mir. farmer? And won't you stay for dinner with us? I'm sure to disgrace the parsonage again, for l l am no cook, but you can get along for once. surely. We spend more time l laughing when the food is bad, and laughter is very healthful. You will stay. won't you?"
 Jerrold farmer looked very eager and yet he looked somewhat doubtfullY 1 at Prudence. Her eyes were eloquent with entreaties. Finally he laughed and said. "I should certainly like te stay, but you see I want to come back tomorrow. Now, will l dare to come back tomorrow if l stay for dinner to- night? Wouldn't Connie say that WIS disgfaeing the parsonage?'
 Fairy laughed delightedly. ''That is very good" she said. Then you will stay. I'll try to fix it up with Connie to save the reputation of the house.
 No, they did not quote poetry. they did not discuss the psychological in- i tricacies Of spontaneous attraction. they did not say anything deep. or wise, or learned. But they smiled Ut each other, with pleased investigating eyes. He put his hand on the cover i let, just near enough to touch the lace on the sleeve of her silk dressing gown. And together they found paradise in 1 the shabby sitting room of the old Methodist parsonage that afternoon.
 Must you prepare meat for bread 1 ing half an hour before cooking, or wheH?' demanded Fairy, from the din ing room door.
 What ?-Oh Fifteen minutes be- fore. Don't forget to salt and pepper the crumbs, Fairy
 Perhaps some time your father will let you and d couple of the others come to Des Moines with me in the car. You would enjoy a few days there. know. 1 live with my aunt, Il dear, motherly little old soul. She will adore you, Prudence, and you will like her. too. Would your father let you spend week? We can easily drive back and forth in the car
 "Maybe he will. but who will keep the parsonage while I ann away?"
 "Fairy, to be sure She must be good fairy once in while. We can take the twins with Us, Connie. too. if you like, and Fairy will only have to mother your father"
 Prudence, shall we have tea or cof- fee?" This was Lark from the door way. "Fairy wants to know"
 "What?-oh (Which do you want, Jerry?'
 (Which does your father prefer?'
 He doesn't drink either except for breakfast"
 "I generally drink coffee, but I do not care much for it, so do not both er-''
 Coffee, Lark"
 Did you ever have lover, Pru- dence? A real lover, l mean"
 "No, I never did.'
 "Pm awfully glad of that. fll-"
 Prudence, do you use half milk and half water for creamed tomato soup, or all milk? ?'
 .What? ?-Oh l-All milk, Connie. and tell Fairy not to salt it until it is en- tirely done, or it may curdle."
 What in the world would they ever do without you, Prudence? You are the soul of the parsonage, aren't youE
 "No, l am just the cook and the chambermaid," she answered, laugh ing. But don't you see how hard it will be for me to go away"
 But it isn't fair Vacation is com ing now, and Fairy ought to take q turn. What will they do when you get marriedT
 "I have always said l would not get married"
 But don't you want to get married, some time?"
 'Oh, that isn't it. l just can't be- cause I 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 a 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 | if go upstairs and talk to your father few minutes? 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.
 Mir. Starr arose to greet him, and welcomed him to his combination study and bedroom with great friendliness. But Jerrold went straight to the point.
 "AIr. Starr, it's very kind of you to receive a perfect stranger as you have me. But understand that with girl 1 like Prudence, you will want to be careful. l can give you the names of several prominent men in Des Moines, I Christians, who know me well, and can tell you all about me- Tt isn't necessary. We are parsan- age people, and are accustomed to re ceiying men and women as worthy of