Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1933-01-19
Prissy's Quest
By HELEN ST. BERNARD
&c by Mcclure Newspaper Syndica.e.)
(WNU Servicel

THE Wednesday afternoon Ladies'
L Aid society of Midhill was stunned
into silence. Eleven pairs of hitherto
busy hands were idle. Eleven flannel
cite night gowns for the small in
mates Of the Orphans asylum were
forgotten. The twelfth member of
the "Aid," Priscilla Pratt, was stand
ing at the door, her hand on the knob,
her round face flushed, her eyes shia-
ing. In her other hand, she held some
gaily colored, descriptive circulars, the
covers of which bore picture of a
diminutive steamer.
think Of it,n and her voice was
husky with emotion. -Four months of
romance! -HonOlulu-Japan !!
Cherry blossom time in Japan! India
and the Tai Mahal! Egypt! The
Nile and the Pyramids! Italy and
vesuvius-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.
"We 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 married.
Money
The newly made heiress started to
button on her coat, her eyes travelling
from face to face. She spoke slowly
and distinctly. Eyes, all that! Get
ting along in years never
having married and that is
why 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 lit
tie spinster of Midhill-going around
the world!
"a trip around the world!" and Mrs.
Smiley clicked her teeth. "My, my.
If you should change your mind, Pris-
sy, you might take a nice little trip
down to Pittsburgh. It's only days
ride from here, and there are lots of
theaters and pictures and big stores. "
81 am going around-the world
You don't understand, none of you! /
want romance! Something I have
never had"
John Blake, Midhill's carpenter, was
a regular caller at Prissy's little cot
tage on Main street. He lived across
the apple orchard in the home he had
built many years before, when he had
first asked Prissy to marry him. John
had always made things easy for Pris-
sy. 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 Geld
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 I told
Watkins to leave you few Of his
hubbard squash when he passes ~
Prissy was sitting very straight in
her little rocking chair.
II don't think I'll need any
more coal, John nor any OF
the squash, although his squash are
fine, l know"
John looked up quickly. "No?' he
drawled.
''You have been a good, true friend
John and l have thought, per-
haps, some day could repay you for
all your kindness"
Its been nothing, Prissy." John
was embarrassed. "YOu remember
what 1 told you twenty years back
When you were ready to come to me
I'd be waitin'? 1 amt changed
Prissy :"
4 know, John. Life has been hard
for me E. and it would have
been harder if it hadn't been for you
want you to know I'm grateful to
you. All my life I've dreamed Of ro
nance 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 il
you haven't anyone to care for
or care for you. Hard and
lonely. And love you just the same.
Prissy reached out for her sewing
that lay on the window seat. She
dropped it over the gaily cOlored cir
culars in her lap and her hands were
folded on top of it; idle, just as elev
en- pairs Of hands had lain lille that
afternoon on sewing, at the Aid so
ciety. She met Johns kind gray eyes
so near. He smiled at her.
"IIl do my best to make you happy
Prissy. I'll try to bring all the beauty
/ can into your life. All the romance
and the happiness that comes
with love, Prissy dear. I'll love yor
always"
She smiled at John and his hant
frightened over hers.
do you suppose could give yor
all the romance and happiness YOU
have wanted all these years?" hi
asked gently. do you, Prissy? W.
might take a trip down to Pittsburgh
for two or three DAVIS but Peters 1.