Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-06-17

"Well, George, 1 am going to be
good to the girl. And it will be just
what Molly wants, a companion to
amuse her. If she and Rhoda can
get on, shall be quite content"
Rhoda's rooms were next to Mol
ly's, in the east corridor. There was
q door leading from one into the
other. They were furnished very
simply and prettily, and in both
rooms fires were blazing brightly.
Before the sitting room fire a little
table was drawn up, with an easy
chair close by. Tea was on the ta-
BILE, in the middle of which stood a
large bowl Of roses.
This is my idea," said Molly. as
the two girls entered. Il mean you
to have tea up here, and not go
down again till dinner time"
What lovely roses!" said Rhoda.
bending to look at them.
adrian brought me those for
YOU l asked him to bring them
down from London yesterday. They
have so many flowers in France.
haven't they?"
mot many as beautiful as these
at this time of the year. You are
going to spoil me, Molly"
80 Adrian said. He read me
little lecture about 1t. He seemed to
think that, If we made great deal
of you to begin with, we should ne
glect you afterwards. But you
don't think l am like that, do you.
Rhoda? We are to be like sisters.
father said" And Molly put her
arms round Rhoda, and looked up
at her with such sweet, loving blue
eyes that Rhoda loved her from that
moment.
Molly, you dear little Molly"
she said returning her embrace.
Then she suddenly loosed her arms.
II will have some tea" she said, sit
ting down in the pretty low chair by
the fire and taking off her hat. Pour
1t out for me, Molly; and tell me
who Adrian is.
adrian is-do you take sugar?
Adrian is the heir of Dering. He
is the handsomest, wisest, best per-
son in the world! And Jack and I
do not like him at all"
Jack? May l know who Jack
is?"
Molly looked intently at the pat
tern of the cup she was holding, and
tender little smile played round
her lips.
Jack and l grew up together"
she said. His father is the rector
of the parish and fathers oldest
friend. Wait a moment, Rhoda. I
want to show you my BILL"
Molly jumped up and ran out of
the room. A moment later she was
back with her black puppy in her
arms.
Look at the darling! Pat his
dear head, Rhoda! Had you any
dogs at the convent"
mo, dear"
Father shall give you one to-
morrow. Jack gave me Bill"
She hugged the puppy in close
embrace and sat down upon the
hearth rug at Rhoda's feet.
Jack and | are going to marry
each other some day." she said
gravely.
Rhoda softly smoothed the girls
brown hair. but did not speak.
mot for a long, long time. He
has to get his degree; he was pluck
ed. dear boy, last term. But | never
never, never could marry anybody
but jack"
You are too young to marry any
one, little Molly" said her cousin,
with a very gentle look in her gray
eyes.
Molly Rugged the puppy still
closer.
Jack isn't coming back for three
months. and we are not to write to
each other. We have always written
to each other every week, but
mother won't let me write to him
now. Mother Is very fond Of Jack.
you know. but she wants me to
marry Adrian"
The girls frankness touched
Rhoda; but there was bitterness in
her thoughts as she listened. How
different Molly's life had been from
her own-Molly so guarded. SO shell
tered by love! Her own only protec-
tion had been father who had been
unable to shield her from insult and
humiliation.
Molly went on with her conf
dences.
II had little talk with Adrian
about it yesterday" she said He
was very kind; l never liked him SO
much before. He thinks it our duty
to marry, but he said 1t was natural
that | should prefer Jack"
And does your mother know?"
Adrian thinks / ought not to
decide yet; l am too young to know
my own mind, SO he says. But l do
know 1t, don't l, my Bill?" She
kissed the puppy and put 1t down
upon the rug. Come, Rhoda, and
let me help you to change your
dress! l feel ashamed of talking