The Huttig news., 1917-02-24

Just then the distant whistle of a locomotive sounded through the open window, but she did not notice her fa- ther's sudden start. She nodded up at him again and repeated, T want to see my girls"
 Her father sent them up to her at once, and they stood at the foot of the led with sorry faces, and smiled at her.
 "Say something" whispered Carol, slsking Lark suggestively on the foot. But Lark was dumb. It was Carol &ho broke the silence.
 "Oh, Prudence, do you suppose the Doctors will let me come In and watch them bandage your head? want to begin practicing up, so as to be ready for the next war"
 Then they laughed, and the girls realized that Prudence was really alive and quite as always. They told her of Comics sad experience, and Prudence comforted her sweetly.
 'It just proves all over again." she declared, smiling, but with sigh close following, ''that you can't get along without me to look after you. Would I ever go to bed without mak- ing sure that Connie was safe and soundy
 Downstairs, meanwhile, Nr. Starr was plotting with Fairy. willing as- sistant.
 He'll surely be in on this train, and you must keep him down here until | get through with Prudence. want to tell her few things before she sees him. Bring him in quietly, and don't let him speak loudly. I do not want her to know he Is on hand for few minutes. Explain 1t to the girls, will you?"
 After sending the younger girls downstairs again, he closed the door of Prudences room, and sat down be- side her.
 5, Prudence, I can't tell you how bit terly disappointed I am In you"
 "Father!"
 "Yes, I thought you loved us--the girls and me. It never occurred to me that you considered us bunch of self. ish, heartless, ungrateful animals" !"
 Father!
 'Is that your idea of love2 Is that -
 "Oh, father!"
 Tt really did hurt me, Prudence. My dear little girl, how could you send Jerry away, breaking your heart and his, and ours, tOo-jast because you thought us such selfish lot that we would begrudge you any happiness of your own? Don't you think our love for you is big enough to make us hap py in seeing you happy? You used to say you would never marry. We did not expect you to marry, then. But we knew the time would come when mar riage would seem beautiful and desir- able to you. We were waiting for that time. We were hoping for 1t. We were happy when you loved Jerry, be- cause We knew he was good and kind and loving, and that he could give you all the beautiful things of life-fhat can never give my children. But you thought we were too selfish to let you go, and you sent him away"
 But father! Who would raise the
 
 age? Who would look after you?"
 Aunt Grace, to be sure We talked It over two years ago, when her hus- band died. Before that, she was not free to come to us. But she said then that whenever We were ready for ,her she would come. We both felt that since you were getting along so magni. hcently with the girls, it was better that way for while. But she Said that when your fitting time came. she would come to us gladly. We had it all arranged. You won't want to mar. ry for year or so, yet. You'll want to have some happy sweetheart days first. And you'll want to make a tot of those pretty. useless, nonsefisical things other girls make when they marry. That's uhy l advised you to save your burglar money, sO you would have it for this. We'll have Aunt Grace come right away, so you can take little freedom to be happy, and to make your plans. And you can initiate Aunt Grace into the mysteries of parsonage housekeeping"
 A bright, strange light had flashed over Prudence's face. But her eyes clouded little as she asked, Do you think they would rather have Aunt Grace than meT'.
 "Of course not Bat what has that to do with itf We love you so dearly that we can only be happy when you are happy. We love you so dearly that we can be happy with you awas from us, just knowing that you are happy. But you-you thought our love was such a hideous, selfish, little make-beiieve that"
 "Oh, father, didn't! You know l didn'tl- But--maybe Jerry won't for. give me now?"
 "Why didn't you talk it over with me, Prudence?"
 T knew you too we'll, Father. knew it would he useless. But---doesnS is seem wrong, father, that-a girl--that | I-shOuld love Jerry more thRa-you