The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1918-06-07
CHAPTER Xll-continued.

CHAPTER xll-continued.
-1-
you are mistaken, father. Jerry Is
all right, and always was, l am sure.
1t Is nothing like that. l told him to
60. and not to come again. That Is
all"
But II ne should come back now"
at would be just the same. Don't
worry about 1t, father. It's all right"
Prudence" he said, more tenderly.
1--WE have been the closest Of friends
and companions, you and l, from the
very beginning. Always you have come
to me with your troubles and worries.
Have I ever failed you? Why. then,
really need me?"
Prudence patted his shoulder affec-
tionately. but her eyes did not meet
his. Il do not really need you now,
father. It is all settled, and am quite
satisfied. Things are all right with me
just as they are
Then he took serious step, without
her knowledge. He went to Des
Moines, and had a 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.
is she all right?" he cried eagerly,
almost before he was within hailing
distance.
Mr.. Starr did not mince matters.
"Jerry." he said abruptly, did you and
Prudence have a quarrel? She de-
clines to tell me anything about it, and
after the conversations you and l have
had. think I have a right to know
what has happened"
Does she miss mel Does she seem
sorry that l am away? Does" His
voice was SO boyish and SO eager there
was no mistaking his attitude toward
Prudence.
Look here, Jerry. l want to know.
Why are you staying away"
won't Prudence tell you"
"No."
Then cannot. She made me prom
lse not to tell you word. But 1t Is
not my fault, Mr.. Starr. l can tell you
that. 1t Is nothing have done or said.
She sent me away because she thinks
1t was right for her to do SO, and-you
know Prudence! 1t is wrong, know.
knew it all the time. But couldn't
make her see It. 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
we're 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
trail, 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 1t ourselves, and 1t Is SIM
py grand. You can 60 up and swing
any time you like-unless your joints
are too stin! It's a very serious mat
ter getting up therefor stiff joints,
easy enough"
For a m.ment 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
sayi"
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 1t, and she read that first.
my dearest little sweetheart:
chose this gift for you long before I
4 had the right to do it. was keeping
II until the proper moment. But the
moment came, and went again. Still
want you to have the gift. Please
wear 1t, for my sake, for l shall be
happy knowing 1t Is where It ought to
be- even though I 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. It contained ring,
with a brilliant diamond flashing my
= Rad colors before her eyes. And Pru-
dence kissed it passionately. many
times.
Two hours later, she went quietly
downstairseto to where the rest Of the
family were decorating a Christpas
tree. She showed the ring to them
gravely.
Jerry sent 1t to me" she said. "DO
You think It Is all right for ME to wear