The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-03-30
Copyright, by the Bobbs-Merrill Com.
panyD
CHAPTER X-Contnued.

You would enjoy a few days there, /
know. live with my aunt, a dear,
motherly little old soul. She will adore
you, Prudence, and you will like her,
too. Would your father let you spend
a week? We can easily drive back
and forth in the car"
"Maybe he will, but who will keep
the parsonage while l am awayY
"Fairy, to be sure She must be n
good fairy once in a 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 Ggf-
fee2" 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"
II generally drink coffee, but l do
not care much for it, so do not both
er-"
"Coffee, Lark"
'Did you ever have a lover, Pru-
dence? A real lover, mean
"No, never did"
"Im awfully glad of that. M"
prudence, do you use half milk and
half water for creamed tomato soup,
or all milk?"
"What?-Oh 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 youY
mo, 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 a
turn. What will they do when you get
marriedP
Il have always said l would not get
married"
But don't you want to get married,
some timer
"Oh, that isn't it. l just can't be-
cause must take care of the parson-
age, and raise the girls. / can't"
But you WILL" he whispered, aud
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.
Mr.. Starr arose to greet him, and
welcomed him to his combination study
and bedroom with great friendhness.
But Jerrold went straight to the point.
"Mr. Starr, it's very kind of you to
receive a perfect stranger as you have
me. But understand that with girl
like Prudence, you will want to be
careful. l can give you the names of
several prominent men in Des Moines,
Christians, who know me well, and
can tell you all about me-"
IL ISL uCCSSSulys we are DuISOu-
age people. and are accustomed to re-
ceiving men and women as worthy of
our trust, until we find them different
We are glad to count you among our
friends"
THANK you, but-you see, Mr.. Starr,
this is a. little different. Some day,
Prudence and 1 will want to be mar
ried, and you will wish to be sure
about me-"
Does Prudence know about that?"
mo" with smile, 1--WE haven't got
that far yet. But | am sure she feels
it. She hasn't-well, you know what
l mean. She has been asleep, but
believe she is waking up now"
"Yes, / think so. Do you mind if
ask you few questions?"
mo, indeed. Anything you like"
''Well, first are you a Christian%
''Not the kind you are, Mr.. Starr.
go to church, and | believe the Bible,
though l seldom read it, But I'll get
busy now, if you like l know Pru-
dence would make me do that" And
he smiled again.
"Do you drink?"
81 did a little, but l promised Pru-
dence this morning would quit it. / !
smoke too. Prudence knows it, but
she did not make me promise to quit
that?" His voice was raised, induir-
ingly.
would you have promised, if she
had asked it?"
II suppose / would" He flushed n
little. 81 know was pretty hard hit. |
and it was such new experience that
would have promised anything she |
asked. But / like smoking"
"Never mind the Smoking. l only
asked that question out of curiosity.
Tell me about your relations with
your mother when she was living"
"She has been dead four years."
Jerrold spoke with some emotion. 1--WE
were great chums. though her health