The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1900-04-06

it you, Miss Rhoda?' The electric
light shone on her white face as the
girl looked down with wild, beseeching
eyes. "Oh. what shall | do?'
81 am going right down to Hope
dale" her neighbor said, quickly; and
something in the strong, kindly voice
steadied her. ''Therc is nothing for
you to do as yet. 1t would be useless
for you to go with me. Keep a brave
heart for whatever may come, and try
to believe that this trouble may not be
for you to bear"
''For me to bcar-for me to BEAR"
Rhoda muttered, struggling for calm
ness, that she might think coherently.
The night wind grew keener as the
darkness settled down, and it's chill
was potent aid to her effort. Her
first impulse was to summon Norab;
but at the head Of the stairs she
stopped. She could not yet lear her
shrill outcries and impulsive sympathy.
And what could she do? What did
people do in such terrible emergencies?
At her lIeli,.essilrs> alri inab;,ity to
meet this appalling crisis, Rhoda
groaned aloud. Hurryiny back to the
window, she strained her ears for fur
ther tidings The stie.t below now
echoed to hurrying feet, as dark figures
pressed on toward the scene of the dis
aster
What had Mr.. Kenyon said? "This
trouble may not be for YOU to bear"
Rhoda started She had laughed aloud
"a bitter laugh, not good to hear.
Falling on her knees, she pressed her
forehead to her clasped hands, and the
tension broke in an agony Of tears.
Dear Father" she sobbed, again,
"must l bear it-must l bear it?'
Suddenly the words died away,
struck into silence by sound far up
the street.-the sound of approaching
wheels. Still hiding her face, Rhoda
waited, catching her breath that she
might better hear. In the intermina-
ble minutes she grew calm in the des-
perate acceptance of sorrow. Itdid not
surprise her when, just below the win
dow, the heavy wagon stopped.
Have a care, now," cautioned a
gruff voice below. Without down
ward glance, the girl arose stiffiy, and
with set face, walked steadily down
the stairs and threw the hall door wide
open.
ooh, dear!' cried clear young voice
in vexation, IL did so hope you would
not be about, Rhoda. Now the edge
is taken off the surprise. Why, what
has haI pcned?" For Rhoda had
rushed down stairs and seized her in
her arms.
"Sibyl!" she cried, "are you really
safe? Where is papa?' AS she spoke
her eyes were fixed upon the men, who
were busy with some object in the
wagon.
"Safc? Why shouldn't l be safe?'
her sister cried in astonishmcnt. "Papa
is delayed in business and cannot come
out until the o'clock train. What is
the matter, dearest?" beginning to he
frightened, in turn, as the light from
the hall showed her Rhoda's face.
"What is that? Are you telling me
the truth about papa?" the elder cried,
gripping Slbyls arm until she WINGED.
"That is your birthday present from
papa and me-" Sibyl explained at once.
"Please set it in the hall" she said
quietly to the men, who were staring
at Rhoda cur;ously. Come, Dora"
and she drew her sister up the steps
and into the dimly lighted drawing
room. "Now tell me all about it."
At that moment careless, light hearted
Sibyl foreshadowed the womanly
strength that would one day be hers.
Her touch broaght comfort and peace
Trembling and unstrung, Rhoda gave
her but an incoherent explanation.
The color faded in Sibyls checks, and
her clasp on Rhoda' lands grew closer.
"Oh, Dora" she cried, f''God. has
been very good to me. Do you know
how it happened that l did not take
that train?" A note of awe crept into
her voice. Papa and | searched a
long time before we found just the
writing desk that we wanted for your
birthday gift. 1T was so late then that
Noyes & Westcott's teams were all
out and they would not deliver it until
tomorrow. So papa hunted up an ex-
pressman upon whom he could depend,
for of course we must have it here to-
night. We could have brought it yes
terday but papa could not leave his
Office | was so anxious about it L"
She stopped and looked askance at
Rhoda, who was hanging upon her
words. Il am afraid you won't like
it"-and she gave an embarrassed laugh
-"but alter they started, was afraid
they might make some mistake, and
anyway wanted to be here when they
arrived. Papa said it would do no
harm, if would feel easier, so hoped
onto an electric car, and when l over
took them, | got out and asked the
men to let me ride on the express
WAGON IT. was dark and nOhnlv knew