The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-09-13
Yes. he seems rather-ratber-"

ss-ltems of news in The Custard
oup, the weather, the price of butter,
the pest way to make Indian pudding.
between them there was a close bond
anection, so far beneath the sur
iace that it ran clear of their radical
uiSsiiniiar1ues in experience and
tastes. Mrs. Penfield's activities were
iieidiy practical; but Prudence main.
.aihed fastidious economy in the
TWO rooms which she reserved in her
nat ror her own use. She rented the
other rooms, and occupied herself
with nand stitching. fine embroidery.
ana the making of pillow tops, to help
out her income.
one was that strange geographical
anomaly. New Highlander set down
IN California, the most untrammeled
state of all the free. And vet the
transplanting had occurred SO late
tnat she showed the least possible eff
rect of the change, as if her roots had
oeen amply protected by the accom-
panying soil Of her native section.
Ihree thousand miles from the land
OF her birth. she lived in an atmos-
phere which she had brought with her.
as her grandmother's clock licked off
the days under the glass dome that
smut out the rude breezes of a wider
world.
She had had Romance! She had
mad lover; she had been engaged.
But the lover had gone to sea, had
sailed away to the Isles of Spice. He
may not really have had that obiec-
i've; but when he did not. return, he
was enveloped with that glamor that
descends most easily upon the lover
VINO ships for those languorous isles.
to bring for his bride fragrant chests
OF treasure-rich silks and filmy tis-
sues, wrapped in the warm odors of
the Far East.
He, had never come back, and Pru-
dence had never forgotten. With un-
falling loyalty, which had given her
the sobriquet of Perennial Prue. she
had kept his memory, had kept her
little candle of devotion ever burning
before his shrine in her faithful heart
If he had returned, her mist of love
would have been displaced by the
mingled colors of everyday living
perhaps transcribed, but inevitably
changed. AS 1t was, the mist still lin
gered back there on the hills of her,
youth, and the focus of her vision kept
1t always in view.
Prudence, sitting quietly in the stiff
guest chair, watched Mrs. Penfield's
busy fingers, shutting yards of thread
into worn stockings, setting patches
into a small faded dress.
'Lettie makes you lot of work,
doesn't she?'
'Yes, she does, but l don't mind 1t,
cause love the child. Fate kind o.
pitched her into clump of nettles,
and she's got heap Of prickles stick
ing to her, but they'll come off after
a while. And so long as the Lord'll
let me work for folks that l love. l
consider that He's giving me vaca-
ton all the time"
"Oh, yes, indeed. +"
But. say" continued Mrs. Penfield,
laughing "can you imagine a harder
job than washing dishes three times
day after folks that don't int'rust
you a mite? My sympathy is with
the women that do it. They sure have
to have trained spirit"
"Tm afraid they d." agreed P-u.
dence gently. "Why, declare. I
most forgot the gossip"
"The gossip? What's happenedY
"Why, Mr.. Bosley's riding round
In a new car"
"A new carp
"Yes-fve-passenger. Mrs. Bosley
says he represents big eastern con-
cern; has a very responsible position,
with fine salary"
"H'ml" rejoined Mrs. Penfield.
"Mebbe his work Is sending air mes
sages. Hours he keeps would kind
O. indicate it." She looked up as the
sound of footsteps turned into the
alley. Lorene Percy came into sight
Come right in, honey"
"Just for a flying minute" Lorene
dashed into the room in whirl of
Joyous excitement. Good afternoon
Miss Hapgood."
"My. you look happy sald MIS-
Penfield. studying the girls glowing
cheeks and shining violet eyes. What
nice thing has happenedY
Lorene ipaused moment, in evil
dent uncertainty before caller; then
threw herself on Mrs. Penfield's neck.
"Oh. Mrs. Penzie, | came to you first.
because want somebody to be happy
with me and you're the only one
Her breath caught; she stopped.
"Lorene, dear, amt anything Ike
better'n to be happy with you" She
drew the girl around gently, till she
could look into the flushed face. u
know what 1t is, dear. You're en-
gagged to that nice Mr.. Chase"
Lorenes clear eyes turned upon her
for assurance. "You do think he's
nice, don't you? I want somebody to
feel that way. My stepmother
says"
Mrs. Penfield drew her closer.
"Poor dear childw she said softly.
eyes. If 1 know anything bout human
.,,o, you,ra two slucky Young