Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-07-15
TELL me what that man meant,


in the convent; I spent them with my
father; shared my fathers life."
She raised her eyes slowly to the
stern face of the man before her.
He looked down at her silently. All
the hope and the happiness had died
out of his face; he looked ten years
older.
II deceived you of set purpose"
Rhoda went on slowly. my father
knew that they would never receive
me here If they were told the truth"
Tell me all the truth" Adrian
said hoarsely. What was that man
to you?"
ITO me. nothing. He was my
fathers confederate; he paid my
servant to support him in false ac-
cusations against me. The servant
Is faithful to me. though he does not
know it; but that will not prevent
people from believing him."
"The falsehoods of man like
that are nothing" returned Adrian.
But what has he to say that Is
true? Tell me exactly!"
Il left the convent two years ago."
Rhoda answered.; Il went to my
father. He was kind to me, and l
was very happy. Then l learned
what his life was, and did not
leave him. That is all l have to tell
you"
Adrian did not answer: he stood
looking at her silently. Rhoda
could not meet that look. AS they
stood there beside each other, each
waiting for calmness to speak. Molly
came tripping into the lime walk.
Come, dear people!" she cried.
The rector has come. and we are all
ready"
Adrian advanced step towards
her.
go back to the house, dear
child" he said; 1--WE will be there In
moment"
Molly ran away. and Adrian
turned back to Rhoda.
Gomez" he said sternly.
Rhoda looked at him.
Il cannot" she said.
you must!" he returned firmly.
Nothing shall be altered now. You
have deceived us; but 1t is now too
late to go back. Come, they are
waiting!"
Il cannot" cried Rhoda, shrink
ing back from him. BE angry-be
harsh to me! Do not look at me like
that-do not speak to me like that"
You must bear the consequences
Of your own actions" he answered.
with no softening In his glance.
"You have had the courage to play .
part for months; you must have
courage to go through with the mat
ter. Your aunt's dying moments
shall not be tortured by the knowl-
edge of our curse yet. l will not al
low you to draw back now"
81 cannot be your wife!" she said
with a shudder.
You must go through the mar
riage ceremony with me-" he re-
turned sternly. What we do after
wards we need not think of now.
But my wife in the eyes of the law
you must be-" He took her hand In
his strong clasp. "Come!" he said.
But Rhoda still drew back.
Have pity on me? If you ever
loved me, have pity on me now!"
81 have no thought for you," was
Adrian's stern answer. II think only
of the poor woman lying yonder.
whose last moments you wish to
darken. think only of your good
name, which you leave at the mercy
Of that man. Gomez"
At that moment Jack appeared at
the end Of the walk.
Come, GOMEZ" he called. I'VE are
getting impatient"
Adrian went forward. still holding
Rhoda's hand, and she went on in
hopeless submission to his will.
The little sitting room looked very
gay with flowers The curtains were
all drawn back, and Miss Dering lay
on sofa by the window, her rich
draperies arranged around her. She
was looking at the door eagerly when
Adrian entered leading Rhoda. The
rector stepped forward; but Miss
Dering's faint voice stopped him.
"One moment" she said. "Rhoda
come and kiss me first"
Rhoda with deathly pale face,
knelt down by the sofa. Miss Dering
put one arm gently round her.
II want to tell you all what this
dear girl has been to me-" she said,
laying her other hand upon Rhoda's
bent head. II was vain, selfish.
careless woman when Heaven sent
her to me. She has taught me to live
better life; she has taught me how
to die" She paused.
A low sob from Rhoda broke the
stiffness.
Adrian. come here" said Miss
Dering.
Adrian came close, his eyes bent
on he kneeling figure with the bowed
head.
Take her, Adrian-the sweetest.