Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-06-03
RHODA'S
SECRET
BY SYLVIA CHESTER
CHAPTER I.

IL WAS ceDTudTy LuOIuiu6 III
Paris. The sun was shining brill
liantly in a clear sky, and the streets
and boulevards were crowded.
Rhoda Dering found some diff
Guilty in making her way, and the
servant with her kept up ceaseless
flow of grumblings as she toiled
along with a heavy basket Rhoda
paid no heed to her servants words.
She walked as quickly as possible,
and she appeared as unconscious OF
the admiring eyes that followed her
as of the servants discomfort.
At last they reached a house in
one of the smaller streets. Rhoda
took a key and a letter from the
concierge and led the way up the
long flights of stone stairs. 1t was
nearly at the top of the house that
she stopped and unlocked the door
that gave access to a small suite OF
rooms.
The little salon was gaudily fur
nished, the crimson velvet of the
chairs and sofa was faded, the walls
and ceiling were in sad need of re-
painting; 1t was dreary room,
without a touch of beauty or refine
ment about it. On the marble
topped table before the window
there were two candlesticks, with
the candles half burned down, and a
pack of cards.
Rhoda took off her hat without
looking at the maid.
"You had better make haste and
get luncheon ready. l will dust the
1t was a characteristic voice. strong
and clear, but curiously hard.
The woman put down the basket
with a thump on one of the chairs.
''I'll cook no more meals in this
place!" she exclaimed, in shrill
tones. PAY me my wages! You can
do for yourself for the future; I'll
do no more for you!"
You know quite well that I can
not pay you your wages, and, until
you get them, you must stay here"
answered Rhoda, calmly. Paris is
no place for you to live in without
money"
where's my money. then? Give
me my money"
you shall have it when I have 1t
to give to you. You may be quite
certain that shall get rid Of you on
the first opportunity"
Money that's obtained by cheat
ing at cards Is pretty sort of money
to give to an honest girl! Oh, you
think 1 know nothing, Miss Dering!
You thought you would like stupid
English country girl who couldn't
understand what it's all about; but
l know what you are and your father
too, and l want my money!"
II agree with you that 1t was a
great mistake that we hired you,"
returned Rhoda, without looking at
the servant. She was standing by
the mantelpiece, looking at the let
ter the concierge had given to her.
She put it down and slightly turned
towards the girl Kindly carry that
basket away and bring me a
duster."
when am I to have my wages?"
said the girl sullenly, without NOV
ing.
"You shall have them when I
have the money. Go and get the
luncheon ready"
The servant took up the basket
and then put 1t down and burst into
tears.
'If you'd give me a kind word,
Miss Dering, now and then,
4 I,,& 1t,
and l won't stand it! And 1 hate
your father and that Monsieur Le-
troy, and it isn't place for a re-
spectacle girl to be I'M"
Rhoda looked at the girl gravely.
do you remember where 1 met
you?" she said.
The servants sobs sounded louder.
Il was all that lady's fault! She
promised me a good situation If
came to Paris with her, and then. a
month after, she gave me notice!"
do you ever think what might
have happened to you if had not
met you that evening? Paris is no
place for an ignorant girl to be
alone in."
II want to go back to England"
muttered the girl sullenly.
You shall go back as soon as I
can pay your fare; / am as anxious
to get rid Of you as you can be to
go!" Rhoda answered sharply.
Now go away with that basket"
The girl, still sobbing loudly, car
ried the basket into the inner room,
anG Rhoda took up the letter again.
1t was addressed to her father, with
an English postmark, and many for
eign postmarks showed that it had
been following them about.
Rhoda was still looking at the let
ter when a footstep sounded outside
and her father came In. He was like
Rhoda, tall and slight. with pale
handsome face. His hair was still
black, and he would have looked a
young man still but for the haggard