The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-03-01
CHAPTER TX.
Father starr Reads the sIous.

patUeF otafF Neaoe tHo ot0Uus
And In the meanwhile, at the par
sonage, Fairy was patiently getting
breakfast. prudence went out for
an early bicycle ride, so the members
wouldn't catch her." she explained to
the family. "And she Isn't back yet.
She'll probably stay out until after
noon, and then ride right by the gro
Gerry store where the Ladies have their
Saturday sale. That's Prudence. all
over. Oh. father, did forget your
eggs again. I am afraid they are too
hard. Here. twins, you carry In the
oatmeal. and we will eat. No use to
walt for Prudence. IL would be like
waiting for the next comet"
Indeed. II was nearly noon when a
small, one-horse spring wagon drove
into the parsonage yard. Mr.. Starr
was In his study with a book, but he
heard a piercing shrek from Connie.
and n shrill "Prudencei" from one Of
the twins. lie was downstairs In three
leaps, and rushing wildly out to the
little rickety wagon. And there was
Prudence
Don't be frightened. father. I've
just sprained my ankle. and II doesn't
hurt hardly any. But the bicycle Is
broken, and well have TO pay for II.
You can use my owl money In the
bank. Poor Mr.. Davis had to walk all
the way TO town. because there wasn't
any room for him In the wagon with
me lying down like this. VIII you
carry me inf
Comics single bed was hastily
brought downstairs, and Prudence de-
posted upon IL. There's no use to
put me upstairs" she assured them.
II won't stay there. l want to be down
here where ! can boss the girls"
The doctor came In. and bandaged
the swollen purple ankle. Then they
had dinner-they tried to remember
to call II luncheon. but never succeed
ed After that, the whole parsonage
family grouped about the little single
bed In the CHEEKY sitting room.
"whose coat is this. Prudence1''
asked Connie.
sand where in the world did you
get these towels and silk shirtsf" add
ed Fairy.
Prudence blushed most exqulsitely.
'They are Mr.. Harmer's." she said,
and glanced nervously at her father.
"whosef" chorused the family.
eff you will sit down and keep still.
I will tell you all about II. But you
must not interrupt me. What time ID
II. Fairyf"
1.-Two O'Clock"
"Oh. two. Then I have plenty OF
time" and In her own frank way, she
told the story.
"Then Mr.. Davis came along with
his cart" she concluded. "and Jerry
er-Harmer. you know. helped put me
In, and the cart was so small they both
had to walk"
"where is he nowr els he youngy'
els he handsomef" did he look rich p
"Don't be silly, girls. He went to
the hotel. I suppose! Anyhow. he left
us as soon as We reached town. He
said he was In hurry. and had some
thing to look after. His coat was un-
derneath me In the wagon, and he
wouldn't take II out for fear of hurt
ing my ankle. so the poor soul Is prob
ably wandering around this town In his
shirt sleeves"
Already. In the eyes of the girls. this
Jerry-er-Harmer. had taken unto
himself all the interest Of the affair.
"He1l have to come for his coat. "
said Lark. "We're bound to see him"
"where does he liver What was he
doing In the hickory grover inquired
Mr.. Starr with a strangely sinking
heart, for her eyes were alight with
new and wonderful radiance.
"Ife lives In Des Moines. He was
Just walking into town. and took q
short cut through the grove"
"Walkingi From Des Moinesf'
Prudence flushed intentionally. II
didn't think Of that" she said. But
I do not see why he should not walk
II he likes. He's strong and athletic,
and fond of exercise. guess he's
plenty able TO walk II he wants to.
I'm sure he's no tramp, father. II that
Is what you are thinking"
II am not thinking anything of the
kind, Prudence" he said with dignity.
"But ! do think II rather strange that
a young man should set out 10 walk
from Dies Molnes TO Mount Mark. And
why should he be ut Il so early in the
morning2 Doesn't he require sleep, as
the rest OF US dor"
"IIow should I known guess II he
likes To be out In the morning when IL
Is fresh and sweet, Il is all right.
like the morning myself. He had as
much right out early as had. His
clothes were nice. and he Is Harvard
graduate. and his shoes were dusty.
but not soiled or worn. Anyhow. he