The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1918-01-09

Auu III l"O minutes ne WIS uOWn,
agonizingly anxious, knowing that
something was wrong. Prudence was
waiting for him, and rs he reached
the bottom step She clutchcd his hands
desperately.
Jerry" she whispered. "I-forgive
mel honestly Oh, l didn't think
what was saying last night. You were
so dear, and was SO happy, and for
Il while l really believed we could
belong to each other But 1 can't, you
know. I've promised papa and the
girls dozen times that l would never
marry. Don't you see how it is? l
must take it back"
Jerry smiled a little, it must be ad-
mittcd. This was so like his conscl-
entious little Prudence!
Dearest" he said gently. "You love
me. Your father would never allow
you to sacrifice Yourself like that. The
girls would not hear Of it. They want
you to be happy. And you can't be
happy without me, can your"
Suddenly She crushed close to him.
"Oh, Jerry" she sohbed, 81 will never
be happy again, l know. Butt is
right for me to stay here and be the
of me to want you more than all OF
them. Don't you sec it is? They
haven't any mother. They haven't
anyone but me. or course, they would
not allow 1t, but they will not know
anything about it. I must do it my
self. And father especially must
never know. l want you 10 so away
this morning before breakfast and
newer come again"
She clung to him as she said this,
but her voice did not faltcr. "And you
must not write to me any more. For,
oh, Jerry, if see you again l can
never let you go, l know It, Will you
do this fC'. mc?"
"You are nervous and excited" he
said tenderly. Lets wait until after
breakfast. Then we'll talk it all Owe!
with your father, and it shall be as hr
says. Won't that be bcttcr?'
ooh, no. For father will say what
ever he thinks will make me happy. lie
must not know thing about it. Prom
isc, Jerry, that you will never tell him
one word"
81 promise, Of course, Prudence. ]
will let YOU tell him."
But she shook her head. "IIe will
never know. Oh, Jerry l can't bear
to think of never seeing you again
and never getting letters from you, and
it seems to kill me inside, just the
thought OF it,"
sit here in my lap. Put your head
on my shoulder like that. Let me rut
your face little. You're fcvcrish. You
are sick. Go to bed, won't you, sweet
heart? We can settle this later on"
"You must go right away, or l can
not let you go at all !"
'Do you mean you want me to get
my things and go right now?"
"Ycs.' She buried her face in his
shoulder. "If-if you stay in your
room until breakfast time / will lock
you in, so YOU cannot leave me again
know it. l am crazy today"
Don't you think you owe me some
thing, as well as your father and sis
tcrs? Didn't God bring us together
and make us love each other? Don't
you think he intended us for each 9TH
cr? Do you wish you lad never met
mc?'
"Jcrry!"
"Thcn, sweetheart, be reasonable
Your father loved your mother and
married her. That is Gods plan for all
OF us. You have been Il wondcrfully
brave and sweet daughter and sister
/ n. lN.i Il. a 4,
to take your place now"
"Fairy's going to be Il professor, and
the girls do not mind her very well
And she isn't as much comfort to fn.
thcr as l am. It's just because | am
most like mother, you see. But any.
how, | promised. l can't leave them"
Your father expects you to marry,
and to marry me. / told him about it
myself, long ago. And he was perfect.
ly willing. lie didn't say word
against it,
"Of course he wouldn't. That's just
like father. But still, promised. And
what would the girls say If | should
go back on them? They have trusted
me, always. If I fail them will they
ever trust anybody else? If you love
me, Jerry please go, and stay away"
But her arm tightcncd about his neck.
I'll wait here until you get your
things, and we can-say goodby. And
don't forget your PROMISE"
"Oh, very we'll, Prudence" he an
swcred, half irrtably, "if you insist
on ordering me away from the house
like this, can only go. But"
Lets not talk any more about it,
Jerry. Please. I'll wait until you come