The Coolidge examiner., 1932-04-08
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Prissy's Quest
By HELEN ST. BERNARD

idle. Eleven tlannelette night gowns
for the small inmates of the Or
phans' asylum were forgotten. The
twelfth member of the Aid" Pris-
ella Pratt, was standing at the
door, her hand on the knob, her
round face flushed, her eyes shin
ing. In her other hand. she held
some gaily cOlOred. descriptive cir
cularS, the covers of which bore a
picture of q diminutive steamer.
Think of it," and her voice was
husky with emotion. -Four months
of romance! Panama-HOnOlulu-
Japan! Cherry blossom time in ia
pan! India-and the Tai Mahal
Egypt! The Nile and the Pyramids
Italy and Venice! st.
Marks and the pigeons! Monte
Carlo and the Rock of Gibraltar
Mine . for =. four whole
months :"
Prissy had read the literature of
The Golden Tour thoroughly.
Mrs. Carruthers, the minister's
wife. was the first to speak.
I'VE are glad you had the money
left you by your uncle. Prissy. You
have worked so hard taking care
of your folks. Getting along in
years and never having mar
ried. Money :"
The newly made heiress started
/ to button on her coat, her eyes
travelling from face to face. She
spoke slowly and distinctly. Yes,
all that! Getting along in years
never having married
and that is why l am going to spend
part of the money Uncle Charlie
| left me going around the
world! I'm going to see things
Beauty, life! I'm going to find that
romance they talk about"
Priscilla Pratt. the staid' demure
little spinster of Midhill-going
around the world!
81 am going around-the world :
You don't understand. none of you
want romance. Something l have
never had"
John Blake, Midhill's carpenter,
was a regular caller at Prissy's lit
/ tie cottage on Main street. He lived
across the apple orchard in the
home he had built many years be-
fore. when he had first asked Prissy
! to marry him. John had always
made things easy for Prissy. He
| had told her at that time, that he
would wait-always.
Prissy had the circulars ready to
show John when he came that
night. His face was ruddy red from
the cold and he held his hands out
to the stove.
winter has set in now, Prissy,
and you'd better get in another ton
of coal while JEFF has it. And !
told Watkins TO leave you few
of his hubbard squash when he
passes :"
Prissy was sitting very straight
in her little rocking chair.
81 Sdon't think I'll need
any more coal, John nor any
of the squash, although his squash
are fine. / know"
John looked up quickly. "No?'
he drawled.
you have been good, true
friend. John and l have
thought. perhaps, some day l could
repay you for all your kindness"
IT'S been nothing. Prissy." John
was embarrassed. You remember
what l told you twenty years
back? When you were ready to
come to me I'd be waitin'i
l amt changed. Prissy :"
81 know, John. Life has been
! hard for me . and 1t would
have been harder if it hadn't been
for you. l want you to know Tn
grateful to you. All my life I've
dreamed of romance and
beauty. Life!"
John hitched his chair closer and
leaned forward. He placed his big
hard hand over hers. His voice was
| gentle: 'PriSsy. life is hard
if you haven't anyone to care
for or care for you. Hard
and lonely. And l love you
just the same"
Prissy reached out for her sew
ing that lay on the window seat
She dropped it over the gaily
colored circulars in her lap and hel
hands were folded on top of it
idle. just as eleven pairs of hands
had lain idle that afternoon on sew
ing, at the Aid society. She met
John's kind gray eyes, so near.
'Tll do my best to make you
happy. Prissy. I'll try to bring al
the beauty l can into your life
All the romance and the happiness
that comes with love, Prissy
dear. I'll love you always
She smiled at John and his hant
tightened over hers.
do you suppose l could give you
all the romance and happiness you
have wanted all these years?" he
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