The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-03-22

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ALL"
But II he should come back now"
ut would be Just the same. Don't
worry about II. father. It's all right"
Prudence" he said. more tenderly.
Eve 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 I ever failed your Why, then.
do you go back on me now. when you
really need met"
Prudence patted his shoulder afYec-
tionately, but her eyes did not meet
his. II do not really need you now.
father. II In all settled, and am quite
satisfied. Things are all right with me
just as they are"
Then he took a 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 rightr he cried eagerly,
almost before he was within hailins
distance.
Mr.. Starr did not mince matters.
Jerry" he said abruptly. did you and
Prudence have quarrelf She de-
clines to tell me anything about II, and
after the conversations you and have
had. I think have a right to know
what has happened.
"Does she miss met Does she seem
sorry that I am awayf Does" His
voice was so boyish and so eager there
was no mlstaking his attitude toward
Prudence.
Look here, Jerry. I want to know.
Why are you staying awayr
won't Prudence tell your"
"No."
Then cannot. She made me prom
ise not to tell you word. But IL is
not my fault. Mr.. Starr. can tell you
that. II is nothing have done or said.
She sent me away because she thinks
II was right for her to do so. and-you
know Prudencel II is wrong, l know.
l knew II all the time. But l couldn't
make her see II. 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
were puzzled and exasperated. They
went to the parsonage, determined to
find 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 60 their ways.
The twins continued to play In the
great maple. even when the leaves
were fallen. Its a dandy place.
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 II ourselves, and II Is SIM
ply grand. You can 20 up and swing
any time you like-unless your joints
are too stiffi It's very serious mat
ter getting up therefor stiff joints.
Of course. / mean. Lark and I get up
easy enough"
For a 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
I sayl"
Lark looked thoughtfully out Of the
window. and Carol swallowed hard.
It 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 II. and she read that first.
MY dearest little sweetheart:
chose this gift for you long before
had the right to do II. ! was keeping
1t until the proper moment. But the
moment came. and went again. Still
l want y'u to have the gift. Please
wear II. for my sake. for / shall be
happy knowing II is where II ought to
be. even though 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 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 II to me-" she said. do
you think 1t Is all right for me to wear
Il. fatherT
A thrill Of hopeful expectancy ran
through the little group.
Eyes. indeed" declared her father.
slow beautiful 1t isl Is Jerry coming
10 spend Christmas with usT
"Why. no, father--he is not coming
at all any more. thought you under
stood that"
An awkward silence. and Carol came
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