Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-07-22
RHODA'S
SECRET
BY SYLVIA CHESTER

man and read death there; and. be-
fore a hand could stop him he leaped
the low hedge and rushed swiftly
away.
One or two pursuers followed. but
the Frenchman was swift runner,
and they soon gave up the chase.
M. Lefroy got safely to the railway
station and thence to London. Be-
fore the police could get upon his
track, he was lost in the great city.
Mr.. Dering was carried to the inn.
No one knew him. He had left them
handsome gay young man: this
worn, haggard, shabby stranger had
no point of likeness to that gallant
soldier they had known years before.
The doctor came to him straight
from Dering, where they had sum
moned him for Millicent. He shook
his head at the sight of the wound.
1T is quite hopeless" he said to
the woman who had been called to
act as nurse; "he cannot live through
the night"
The eyes of the dying man turned
upon him.
Il did not hear what you said,
Doctor, but | know what it means"
Il cannot withhold from you the
fact that your state is very critical"
said the doctor gravely.
Mr.. Dering reflected for moment.
You are known at Dering, OF
course?" he said, then, In wonder
fully clear voice.
Il have just come from there" re-
piled the doctor.
You are new since my time, but
you Will know my name; l am Ar
thur Dering. | want you to go up
to Dering and bring my brother and
his wife here | must speak to them
and bring my daughter to me-"
They are in great trouble" the
doctor said gravely. Miss Dering
died this morning"
my sister Milicent is dead! Ah,
At shall soon join her! But go and tell
kny brother and his wife that | wish
to speak so them, Doctor"
The doctor promised. He had
reached the door when the voice OF
his patient recalled him.
Let me write a line for you to
give to my daughter; she must hear
the news from me-"
They propped him up, and he
slowly and painfully wrote few
words.
"Give it to- her yourself" he said
family. "She will be sorry; she Is
the only person in the world who will
not be glad.
When the doctor reached Dering,
he asked for Mr.. Adrian Dering and
told him briefly what had happened.
Adrian took the note.
They shall go down at once" he
said go back and do all you can
for him, Doctor. Tell him his daugh-
ter shall come instantly"
Adrian went slowly up to Rhoda's
room and knocked. He heard voices
within and he entered Rhoda was
standing facing her aunt, who was
talking In hASd bitter tone to her.
You have hidden all this from
us; you havS lived lie all these
months! Oh, your aunt should have
known!"
II am going away" said Rhoda. in
a low tone Il am giving up every
thing; you shall never hear of me
again! l know now how wrong /
have been; but have done Molly no
harm, aunt have not indeed"
Her voice died away as she caught
sight of Adrian.
Adrian" cried Mrs. Dering. hear
hop I,,ct
II know all-all." he said emphat-
ically; Il knew 1t this morning be-
fore I brought Rhoda in. Aunt say
no more; there is sad news"
He approached Rhoda. who did
not look at him.
Your father is in the village" he
said. HE has been hurt. He sends
yOn this note"
Rhoda took It, The news seemed
scarcely to affect her, but her whole
frame trembled and her eyes filled
with tears as she read the note.
"Oh, take me to him!" she said.
turning to Adrian instinctively.
II will take you at once" he an
swered gravely. Aunt, you and
uncle George must come; he Is
= dying"
without waiting to hear his aunt's
reply, he hurried Rhoda away.
The carriage he had ordered was
waiting at the door, and he placed
her in It, Neither look nor word was
exchanged between them, but he
seated himself silently at her side.
In perfect silence they reached the
inn.
go up" he. said; II will walt"
The doctor met Rhoda at the
chamber door.
"You are too late he said grave
ly. He died as your carriage drove
up.
When Mr.. and Mrs. Dering ar
rived, they found Rhoda kneeling by
her dead fathers side. She look ed