Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-07-22

81 am going to fetch Molly" she
said. "Rhoda looks as II the shock
haS turned her brain. / am alarmed
about her."
Stay with her." said Adrian
quickly, ~ will fetch Molly"
He went out and then came back.
BE kind to her, Aunt Agnes" he
said earnestly.
Have l not sent for Molly?" Mrs.
Dering turned. II mean to be kind
to her"
Molly came, and persuaded Rhoda
to go back to Dering.
"I must return tomorrow" she
said
Eyes, dear. you shall return to-
morrow" returned Molly; "only
come home with me now"
But, when the morrow came, Rho
da lay unconscious Of all around her.
In the first stages of brain fever.
Spring had passed, full summer
had come, and the lime trees were in
blossom when at last she was taken
from her bedroom into the little sit
ting room. She lay on the couch by
the open window. and Mrs. Dering
sat by her side. All bitterness be-
tween them was gone. Rhoda's thin
hand was in her aunt's as she began
to speak.
Have you written yet. aunt?"
"No, my DEAR" Mrs. Dering an
swered gently. You could not leave
us for long time yet"
| UD,,t ,borld lilo cattlad - the
girl answered feverishly. You will
write soon, won't you?"
VERY soon,' was Mrs. Dering's
soothing answer.
Since Rhoda had been able to
think coherently, her idea had been
to go away from Dering, as soon as
she was we'll, to some home or tnsu-
tuition where she could get work to
do among the sick and poor. She
began to speak of it again.
II shall be happier when l am at
work, aunt You have been very
good to me and forgiven me, but
cannot forgive myself"
Here is Molly to talk to YOU"
said her aunt. I'VE will speak about
all this tomorrow, Rhoda. Well.
Molly, SO you have come back"
"Yes-here l am. Bill has come
to see Rhoda, and Jack has brought
you these strawberries.
Mrs Dering left the girls together.
Molly seated herself at Rhoda's feet
and called Bill to lie down upon the
window-sill.
II wonder if Bill will know us
again" she said meditatively, strok-
ing his black head. But Ulysses
| dog knew him, and we shall not be
gone so long as that.
where are you going?" said
Rhoda, looking at her cousin.
Jack and | are going to Amer
lea for our wedding tour replied
Molly, with a blush and a smile. 1t
has all been settled. at last. and we
are only waiting for Molly
stopped and looked confused. then
she took Rhoda's hand and kissed 1t.
"Rhoda, l want you to promise me
something"
Anything / can promise" said
Rhoda gently.
Then will you see him?"
"Of course, l WILL" answered Rho
da at once. Him must mean Jack.
she thought.
HE is here, and | promised to find
out If you would see him. You are
you?"
IL shall be glad to see him." said
Rhoda.
Then he shall come up this mo-
ment," said Molly eagerly
She ran away, and Rhoda waited,
thinking with a tender little smile, or
Molly's happiness After little
while she heard her footsteps along
the passage and also another f1rmer
heavier step, which set her pulses
beating rapidly. 1t was Adrian Molly
had meant. She had not seen him
since the day her father died. Molly
opened the door and shut 1t softly
after Adrian had entered.
Il am going to leave them alone,
BILL" she said confidentially to her
dog. Let us go away and leave them
quite alone"
Adrian sat down by Rhoda's sofa.
'It is very good of you to let me
come and see you" he said gently.
Il thought Molly meant Jack,
Rhoda answered family. Il did not
know you were here"
II have been here for weeks he
said gravely.
He took up her thin left hand and
looked at it, then he raised 1t to his
lips, Rhoda drew 1t quickly away.
but Adrian took it again In his clasp.
Where is my ring?" he asked.
Rhoda's lips quivered SO that she
could scarcely speak.
IL do not know-Mrs. Dering has
It,"
"You must wear it again, Rhoda. ;"
"Ah, no, Adrian! Do not speak