The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-05-10


posted upon 1t. There's no use to
put me upstairs" she assured them.
II won't stay there. l want to be down
here where l can boss the girls"
The doctor came In, and bandaged
the swollen purple ankle. Then they
had dinner-they tried to remember
to call it luncheon, but never succeed
ed! After that, the whole parsonage
family grouped about the little single
bed In the CHEEKY sitting room.
Whose coat Is this, Prudencer'
asked Connie.
And where in the world did you
get these towels and silk shirtsT add
ed Fairy.
Prudence blushed most exquisitely.
"They are Mr.. Harmer's." she said.
and glanced nervously at her father.
"Whoser chorused the family.
"If you will sit down and keep still.
I will tell you all about 1t. But you
must not interrupt me. What time Is
it. FairyT
1.-TWO o'clock"
"Oh. two. Then 1 have plenty Of
time" and in her own frank way, she
told the story.
'.rhen Mr.. Davis came along with
his cart" she concluded, land Jerry
er-Harmer you know, helped put me
In, and the cart was 80 small they both
had to walk"
"Where Is he now?' ''Is he young1"
"Is he handsome?" Ibid he look RIGHT"
Don't be silly. girls. He went to
the hotel. suppose. Anyhow, he left
US az soon as We reached town. He
said he was in a hurry. and had some
thing to look after. His coat was un.
derneath me In the wagon, and he
wouldn't take 1t out for fear Of hurt.
Ing my ankle, SO the poor soul IL prob
ably wandering around this town In his
shirt sleeves"
Already. in the eyes Of the girls, this
Jerry-er-Harmer, had taken unto
himself all the interest Of the affair.
He'll have to come for his coat. "
said Lark. "Ws're bound to SEQ him.
"where does he live7 What was he
doing In the hickory grove" inquired
Mr.. Starr with strangely sinking
heart, for her eyes were alight with
new and wonderful radiance.
HE lives in Des Moines. He wal
Just walking into town, and took .
short cut through the grove"
walking! From Des MOinesT
Prudence flushed uncomfortably. 81
didn't think Of that" she said. "But
do not see why he should not wall
II he likes. He's strong and athletic
and fond Of exercise. guess he's
plenty able to walk II he wants to
I'm sure he's no tramp, father, II that
10 what you are thinking"
II am not thinking anything of the
kind. Prudence" he said with dignity
But do think 1t rather strange that
a young man should set out to walk
from Des MOines to Mount Mark. And
why should he be at 1t SO early In the
morning7 Doesn't he require sleep. a.
the rest Of US dor"
"How should known I guess IL he
likes to be out in the morning when II
Is fresh and sweet. 1t is all right.
like the morning myself. He had al
much right out early as I had. His
clothes were nice, and he is Harvard
graduate. and his shoes were dusty,
but not soiled or worn. Anyhow, he
Is coming at four O'Clock. II you want
to ask II he Is a tramp. you can do 1t. >
And Prudence burst into tears.
Dramatic silence in the cheerful sit
ting room Then Fairy began busting
about to battle the face and throat OF
poor little Prudence" and her father
said alphabetically:
"You're all nervous and wrought up
with the pain and excitement, Pru'
dence. I'm glad he IL coming so we
can thank him for his kindness. II
was mighty lucky he happened along
wasn't it7 A Harvard graduated Yes
they are pretty strong on athletics at
Harvard. You'd better straighten this
room q little and have things looking
nice when he gets here" said Father
Starr, with great diplomacy. And hs
was rewarded, and startled, by observ.
ing that Prudence frightened wonder.
fully at his words.
"Yes, d." she urged eagerly. "Ges
some Of the roses from the corner
bush, and put them on the table there.
And when you go upstairs. Fairy, you'd
better bring down that little lace
spread in the bottom drawer Of our
dresser. It'll look very nice on this
bed. Work hard, girls, and get every
thing looking fine. He'll be here at
four, he said. You twins may wear
your white dresses, and Connie must
put on her blue and wear her blue
bows. Fairy, do you think 1t would be
all right for you to wear your silk
dress? OF course, the silk is rather
grand for home, but you do look SO
beautiful In it. Father, will you put
on your black suit, or are you too busy !
And don't forget to wear the pearl cuff
buttons Aunt Grace sent you"