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

ing surprise, "why have you put on
your new gown? 1t is not intended
for ordinary school wear. Oh, dear, |
wish you would show some sense of
the fitness Of things
Sihyl bit her lip and cast an appeal
ing glance at her father, who, for a
moment, looked trifle uncomfortable.
"Oh-er, forgot to tell you that l
promised Sibyl that she might take
lunch with me in town to day." lie ex-
planned. Il suppose the new gown is
in honor of the occasion. She has some
errand to do, believe, so she will not
come home until the latter part of the
afternoon. You will have good, long
day to yourself, daughter. l hope it
will be happy one," he added, gently.
as he rose from the table.
Thank you," Rhola said coldly.
You will have to hasten, Sihyl. 1t
is too late to 60 10y the electrics. You
would better 90 to town on the train. !"
"All right" Sibyl assente'l cheerful
| ly. I'll be with you, papa, before you
get to the corner" and she proceeded
to finish her breakfast with school
girls marvellous celebrity. REoda
watched her with disapprovlng eyes.
81 hope you will soon have leisure
for acquiring respectable table man.
ners," she said, tartly. "At least be
more careful when you lunch with
papa"
Sibyl opened her lips for hasty re-
tort, then thought better of it. Her
quick ear had caught a thrill Of wounded
pride IN Rhoda's speech.
"Why don't you come, to',' she said
impulsively. We" then a sudden
thought checked the rest of the SEN
tence.
mo, thank you," Rhoda said, loftily,
II have too much to do"
Rho,la sat quietly unit! the closing
hall door assured her that her sister
was gone. "No one remembers-no
one cares" she thou ght, miserably. II
don't even believe they miss mamma
as do. And now they plan pleasant
things while | am forgotten. Oh, it is
so hard-hard!' And though in her
heart she knew her bitter thoughts to
be unjust, the morbid mood held her
in its grasp and she cried bitterly. A
spirit of restless energy took possession
of her and the day was devoted to the
accomplishment of distasteful and try
ing duties that had been hitherto post
ponel. Lunch was hastily disposed
OF, though Norah, the cook, had pro
vded Rhoda's favorite salad.
"Shure, it's worrukin' too hard ye
are, Miss Rhody," she said, peering
into the dining room, rs Rhoda pushed
back her chair, lmpatiently. "An' it s
not more'n would contint bird that
ycz do be eatin'..'
at is all l need, the girl said, short
| ly, still hugging her martyr mood, and
Norah retired with disappointed face
her little attempt at celebration un-
noticed and unappreciatetl.
But when dusk fell Rhoda was thor
oughly weary. Pushing open the door
of her mothers room, she crossed to
the bow window and, dropping Imply
upon cushion, pillowed her head on
the sill. The fair day, which had been
full of darkness to her, had slipped
away, leaving the west a-glimmer with
purest, palest green, portent of frost.
Gradually the tender associations Of
the place brouy hit healing to her sore
spirit, and as tears wet her eyes,
Rhoda's mood changed. Dear moth
err she whispered, as if she felt the
loving spirit near, 81 feel so miserable,
but give me time
a sweet stiffness had fallen over the
suburban town, broken only by the oc-
casional rattle of a passing wagon, or
the distant whistle of the trains plying
between the city and its offspring.
Rhoda listened dreamily for the ap-
preaching footsteps that would give
warning of the return Of her father and
sister. Sitting up. she raised the win,
dow a crack that she might not be
caught unawares. Il was so cross
this morning that | must make their
home coming cheery,' she whispered
penitently.
just then came the sound of running
feet and the clamor of boyish voices.
Something in their tone of excited hor
ror brought Rhoda to her feet.
Throwing the window wide open she
leaned out into the crisp air, but could
1
bub. y door in the opposite house
opened and a man ran down the steps.
"Hello!' he called, impcratively, after
the passing rabble. whats ur?"
"The so out has gone through the
bridge at the Hopeda!e crossing" came
the impatient answer.
"Anybody killed?''
Don't know yet; just going down."
and the dusky figure waited for no fur
ther interrogation. Rhoda clutchcd
at the wall for support. She tried to
cry out, but no words would come. AS
Mr.. Kenyon sprang up the stairs, be
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