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

told him all she knew of what hud hap.
pcned.
"Prudence is ghastly, father, just
CHASTITY. And she can't talk about it
yet, so be careful what you say. will
you7"
And it was due to Fairy's kindly nd.
monitions that the parsonage family
took the departure Of Jerry SO calmly.
That was the beginning Of Prudence's
bitter winter, when the brightest sun.
shine was cheerless and dreary, and
when even the laughter Of her sisters
smote hnrshly upon her ears. She tried
to be no always. but in her eyes the
Wounded look fingered, and her face
grew SO pale aMI thin that her father
and hairy, anSiously watching, were
filled with grave concern. She re.
mnincd almost constantly in the par
sonagc, reading very little, sitting most
Of her leisure time staring out the win
dows.
Fairy had tried to win her conf.
dencc, and had failed.
"You arc q -arlirg. Fairy, but real.
ly do not want to talk about it. Oh,
no. indeed, it Is all my own fault. l
told him 10 so, and not come again.
No, you are wrong, Fairy, do not re-
gret it. do not want him to come any
more"
Mr.. Starr, too, had tried. "Prudcncc,"
he said gently, ''you know very often
men do things that to women seem
wrong and wicked. And maybe they
/ are! But men and women are differ
cnt by nature, my dear, and we must
| remember that. have satisfied myself
that jerry is good and clean, and man
ly. l do not think you should let any
foolishness OF his in the past come be-
tween you now"
"1ou are mistaken, father. Jerry is
all right, and always was, I am sure.
1t is nothing lie that. l told him to
go, and not to come again. That is
ALL"
but If he should come back now"
1T would be just the same. Don't
worry about 1t, father. It's all right"
Prudence" he said, more tcndcrly,
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 l ever failed you? Why, then,
do. you go back OH me now, when you
really need me?"
Prudence rattcd his shoulder afrcc-
! tionatcly, but her eyes did not meet
his. IL do not really need you now.
father. 1t Is all settled, and ann quite
satisfied. Things arc all right with me
just as they are"
Then he took serious step, without
her knowlcdgc,o He went to Dos
Moincs, and had a visit with Jerry. He
found him thinner, his face stcrncr,
his eyes darker. When the Office boy
announced "NIr Starr" Jerry ran
quickly out to greet him.
rs she all rght?" he cried eagerly,
almost before he was within hnilins
distance.
MIR. Starr did not mince matters
Jerry" he said abruptly, "did you and
Prudence have q quarrel? She de-
clines to tell me anything about 1t, and
after the conversations you and l have
had, I think l have right to know
what has happened"
docs she miss me? 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, want to know.
Why are YOU staying nway?
won't Prudence tell you?"
"No."
T a
iSc not to tell you II word. But it is
not my fault, Mr.. Starr. ] can tell you
that. 1t is nothing I have done or said.
She sent nc away because she thinks
it was right for her to do so, and-you
know Prudence! 1t is wrong, know.
/ knew II all the time. But couldn't
make her sec it. And she made me
promise not to tell"
In the end Mr.. Starr went back to
the parsonage 10 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 OH a
moments notice.
The Ladies' OF the Methodist church
were puzzled and cNaspcratcd. They
went to the parsonage, determined to
find out whaCs what" But when they
sat with Prudence and looked at the
frail, pathetic little figure, with the
mournful cycs-thcy could only sigh
with her and 90 their ways.
The twins continued to play in the
great maple, even when the leaves
were fallen. cts q dandy place,
tell YOU, Prudence" cried Carol. "Jcr-
~ didn't have time to put up the rope
before Connie pulled him down. but