Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1900-04-05

90
i am going right down to Hope
dale, her neighbor said, quickly
and something in the strong, kind.
II voice steadied her. There ID
nothing for you to do as yet. II
would be useless for you to go with
me. Keep brave heart for what.
ever may come, and try to believe
that this trouble may not be for You
to bear.
For me TO bear-for me to bear,
Rhoda muttered. struggling for
calmness, that she might think CO.
herently. The night wind grew
keener as the darkness settled down,
and its chill was a potent aid to her
effort. Her first impulse was to
summon Norah but at the head
of the stairs she stopped. She could
not yet bear her shrill outcries aud
lmpulsive sympathy. And what
could she doY What did people do
in such terrible emergencies? At
her helplessness and inability to
meet this appalling crisis, Rhoda
groaued aloud. Hurrying back to
the window, she strained her ears
for further tidings. The street be-
low now echoed TO hurrYing feet,
aa dark fgues pressed on toward
the scene Of the disaster.
What had Mr.. Kenyon said
This trouble may not be for you
to bear Rhodn started. She had
laughed aload--a bitter laugh, not
good to hear. Falling on her knees,
she pressed her forehead to her
elasped HANDS, aud the tension broke
in an agony Of tears. Dear Faith.
er, she sobbed, again, must bear
it-must bear it?'
Suddenly the words died away,
struck into silence by sound far
up tho street the sound of ap.
/ preaching wheels. Still hiding her
face, Rhoda waited, catching her
breath that she might better hear.
La the interminable minutes she
( grew calm in the desperate accep,
lance Of sorrow. II did not sur.
/ prise her when, just below the win,
dow, the heavy wagon stopped.
Have care, now, cautioned O
gruT glance, the girl arose stiiTly,
aud with a set face, walked steadily
down the stairs and threw the ball
door vide open.
oh, dear :, cried clear young
] voice IN yexatlou. 4 did 40 nope you
would not be about, Rhoda. Now
/ the edge is taken Oft the surprise,
Why, what has happened?' Fol
Rhoda bad rushed down stairs and
seized her in her arms.
'Sibll !! she cried, are you real.
ly safe? Where is papa? A sh,
spoke her eyes we're fixed upon tn,
men, who we're busy with some OBJ
jet in the wagon.
'Safe;' Why shouldn't ! bt
safe" her sister cried in astonish
ment. Papa is delayed in business
and cannot come out until the {
O'Clock train. What is the matter
dearest beginning to be frightened
in turn. as the light from the hal
showed her Rhoda's face.
what is that? Are you telling
mo the truth about papa p the elder
cried, gripping SibYls arm until
she WINGED.
That lie your birthday present
from papa and me- Sibyl explained
at once. please set it in the hall,
she said quietly to the men, who
we're staring aS Rhoda curiously
Come, Doda, aud she drew hel
sister up the steps and into the dim
lY lighted drawing room. Nov
tell me all about it. At that mo
ment careless, light. hearted Shy
foreshadowed the womanlY strength
that would one day be hers. Hel
! touch brought comfort and peace
Trem bling AID unstrung, Rhode
gave her but an incoherent expla
nation. The color faded in Sibyl'l
cheeks, and her clasp on Rhoda'l
hands grew closer.
ooh, Doda, she cried, God hal
been very good to me. DO yor
know how it happened that | die
mot take that train p A note q