The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1917-04-06
CHAPTER xl-contlnued.

ID
II did look horrible, from above as
well as below. But Jerry, when he felt
the first light twinge as Connie lifted
The rope, fOresaw what was coming
and was ready for it. AS he went down
he grabbed firm hold on the branch
on which he had stood, then he drop
ped TO the next, and held again. On
The lowest limb he really clung for
fifteen seconds, and took in his bear
ings. Connie had dropped the rope
pothing more to fear from her. He saw
Prudence, white, with wild eyes, both
arms stretched out toward him.
80. X, Prue," he called, and then he
dropped. He landed ON his feet, a lit
tie jolted, but none the worse for his
fall.
He ran at once to Prudence. I'm
all right" he cried, really alarmed by
the white horror in her face. "Pru-
Hence! Prudencew Then her arms
dropped, and with brave but feeble
smile, she swayed a little. Jerry took
her in. his arms. Sweetheart he
whispered. Little sweetheart Do
do you love me so much, dearest?"
Prudence raised her hands to his
face, and looked intensely into his
eyes, all the sweet loving soul of her
shining in her own. And Jerry kissed
her.
The twins scrambled down from the
maple, speechless and cold with terror,
and saw Prudence and Jerryl Then
they saw Connie, staring at them with
interest and amusement.
Il think we'd better go to bed, all
three of u.s." declared Lark sturdily
And they set off heroically around the
house. But at the corner Carol
turned.
"Take my advice and go into the
woOdshed," she called. "for all the Av-
erys are looking out of their windows"
Prudence did not hear, but he drew
her swiftly to the darkest corner of the
side porch-and history repeated it.
self once more!
At twelve, Jerry went upstairs to
bed, his lips tingling with the fervent
tenderness of her parting kiss. He
stood at his window, looking soberly
out into the moonlit parsonage yard
'She is an angel pure, sweet, unself-
ish little angel" he whispered, and his
voice was broken, and his eyes were
wet, ''and she is going to be my wife
oh, God. teach me how to be good to
her. and help me make her as happy as
she deserves"
At two o'clock, thinking again the
soft shy words she had whispered to
him, he dropped lightly asleep and
dreamed of her. With the first pale
streaks of daylight stealing into his
room he awOke. 1t was after four
o'clock. A little later-just few min
utes later-he heard light tap on his
door. II came again, and he bounded
out of bed.
Prudence! Is anything wrong?"
Flush, Jerry, not so loud" And
what strange and weary voice. "Come
downstairs, will you? l want to tell
you something. I'll wait at the foot
of the stairs. Be Quiet-do not wake
father and the girls. Will you be down
soOn?"
"In two minutes II
And in two minutes he was down, |
agonizlngly anxious, knowing that
was wrong. Prudence was
waiting for him, and as he reached
the bottom step she clutched his hands
Jerry" she whispered. T-forgive
mel honestly Oh, l didn't think
what was saying last night. You We're
80 dear, and was so happy, and for
. while l really believed we could
oelOng to each other. But can't, you
SnOw. I've promised papa and the
girls dozen times that would never
parry. Don't you see how it ,ist
must take it back"
Jerry smiled little, it must be adj [
ntted. This was so like his conseI-
.ntious little Prudencel ,
Dearest" he said gently. "You love
he. Your father would never allow [
Fou to sacrifice yourself like that. The /
sirls would not hear of it. They want
you to be happy. And you can't be l
lappy without me, can your"
Suddenly she crushed close to him. |
oh, Jerry" she sObbed,sT will never v
'e happy again, know. Butt is '
light for me to stay here and be the i
mother in the parsonage. 1t is wicked
f me to want you more than all of r
hem. Don't you see it is? They a
avent any mother. They haven't
nyone but me. OF course they would l.
ot allow it, but they will not know v
nything about it. / must do it my S
elf. Aud father especially must h
ever know. want~you to go away Y
his morning before breakfast and
never come again." d
She chung to him as she said this, h
ut her voice did not falter. "And you Il
aust not write to me any more For, d
h. Jerry, If see you again l can f,
ever let you go, know 1t. viii you II
o this fC mel" v
"You are nervous and excited" he f,
aid tenderly. Lets wait until after
Then Wen talk it all over
nth your father, and it shall be as he
ays. Won't that be better?"
"Oh, no. For father will say what
yer he thinks will make me happy. He W
lust not know>a thing about it, Prem il
je, Jerry, that you will never tell him ST
ne word" q
II promise, of course, Prudence. l h
ill let you tell him."
nl.. r,Inc L. -