The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-05-08
MISS PRUE
BY MILDRED WHITE.


Winthrop's table in the apartment din
ing room or bringing to her In her own
pleasant sitting room their youthful
condolences.
Among themselves they lovingly dis
cussed their sympathetic friend.
How do you suppose 1t happened
that she remained unmarrIed?" one
asked. "She has such an adorable
face"
And the charmingest manner !" en-
Unused another.
And dresses so prettily," added a
third.
She may have been disappointed in
love" the first reflected.
Miss Prue is too jolly and-prac-
tical to spend her life incoming over
past disappointment" the other said.
Perhaps she has never met the right
man. And the last supposition was
correct-Prudence had never met the
right man.
She came into the brilliant dining
room as usual for her evening meal,
aud she wore the soft gray dress with
blue ribbons, and the man, already
seated at her table, smiled apologet-
ically at her coming and arose as if
to depart.
II was directed to scat here" he
said, but no doubt l may be placed
elsewhere"
Peggy, dehutante, hurrying over at
that moment, announced that Mr.. Will
fer was one Of daddy'S friends, and all
choice places in the dining room be
Ing occupied, would Miss Prue mind
very much if he shared her tablef"
Prue, smiling, said that she would
be delighted"
Perhaps il she had known Just how
delighted She was eventually going to
be with David Wilfer's companion
ship, Miss Prue might have refused in
self-dcfense
The dehutantes nudged and wills
pered joyously at the evident interest
and pleasure which the two grew to
End In each others society.
He has been widower for years"
Peggy told Sallie. His first marriage
was youthful affair and soon ended.
Since then 10 one has been able to find
the way to his heart. IL he were only
few years younger, | might try my
self"
But apparently II was little Miss
Prue who had found the way.
There had been many years in the
little woman's life of which now She
did not speak, Of which il panied her
stiIl 10 thiuk-years Of sclf-sucrifice,
Seif-efacement for the sake Of 9TH
crS. Weary years bringing her to a
goal of peace, at last
Now love was TO be her great and
browning blessing. She sang as she
pinned on the violets which David
sent, and went happily down to meet
him.
There were few on the avenue as
they walked along, but presently a girl
cume swinging toward them. She was
beautiful girl, and as her eyes fell
upon Pruc's companion. the girls face
paled and She stood quite still.
David Wilfcr also grew white. and
In an instant forgot Miss Prue's prox-
unity.
Janice" he murmured And az
the girl was about TO pass on without
reply, he took step after her Il
must see YOU he said 81 will call
tomorrow
"Oh, what is the use" she began.
Il must see YOU" David Wilfer re-
peated.
Dazetly, be turned again to Miss
Prue, Whiting, with the hurt Of a sud
den blow.
The two spoke little as they re-
turned To the hotel, and when Prue
was in her own room again she threw
herself across the bed like a grieve3
schoolgirl, with the violets crushing
out their fragrance against her
breast
So it had all been drcam-a beau
tiful. mistaken dream, and the crown
ing blessing was not to be hers after
all The man she loved had no need Of
her. But had he not? Was he not now
suffering. even as She? There had been
eager longing in the voice which be-
sought the Girl, and she had refused
his plea.
As if in answer TO her wish. the girl
came at luncheon into the hotel din
ing room She was, it appeared, a
guest there for the present, with a Sc
we're, elderly woman, who accom-
panied her II was with the elderly
woman that Miss Prue first became ac-
quainted and, later, it was the beau
tiful girl herself who joined the debu-
tauteS at prueS side.
Whom reg and Sallie departed the
two stilI fingered by the window, and
presently Prudence said. very softly:
Il am glad to know that you are
friend Of Mr. Wilfer's."
Something more than a friend" the
girl answered directly. ~ thought that
he would have told YOU She paused.
1T is unfortunate that grandma re-
fuses to let him SEQ me. She has al
ways been afraid that he would coax
me away from my mothers family. II
was my young mothers last wish that
I ghntrII remain H., fhai. 4aro