Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-07-08

You are not angry with me,
Rhoda?" he said humbly.
She shook her head.
II love you SO dearly" he whis-
pered; Il had to tell you so. Give
me kind look, Rhoda."
The girl tried to smile at him, but
the smile died on her lips.
Adrian. be patient with me-" she
said.
"Come to Aunt Millicent.% was his
answer. "You know she has set her
heart on this; and we must tell Aunt
Agnes and Uncle George. Molly
knows already. She sent me to you,
Rhoda, with prophecy Of my good
fortune"
Talking thus. he led her into the
house. Mr.. Dering was still in the
hall. Adrian took Rhoda proudly
up to him.
"Uncle George, Rhoda has prom
ised to be my wife," he said.
Mr.. Dering looked at them very
kindly.
"You make a handsome pair" he
said, with a smile. II am very glad
Of 1t, Adrian, my boy"
Rhoda drew her hand from
Adrian's and slipped away to go to
her own room; but Molly, who was
waiting for her in the corridor, drew
her into her own little sitting-room.
well, 'Rhoda?' she said, with an
arch look.
well, Molly?"
tits all right, isn't it, Rhoda?"-
wondering at her cousins haggard
face.
Quite right" replied Rhoda,
with a mirthless laugh. Il am en-
gagged to Adrian"
II am so glad" Molly said. with
warm kiss But the look on Rho
das startled her.
you are happy, are you not, Rho
da?" she said anxiously. You love
Adrian?"
"Yes. love him." answered Rho
da. She paused moment and then
added, 1T would be easier If l did
| not"
Molly drew back.
What do you mean, Rhoda?"
Never mind, little Molly" said
Rhoda, recovering her self-posses-
sion by violent effort. "I shall be
good wife to Adrian. shall de-
vote my life to him"
Molly still looked at her wonder
ingly.
II want you to be happy, Rhoda.
But you look so sad still"
II must learn to smile like you,
Molly. But have never been happy
before, you know, and 1t Is difficult
to learn what happiness looks like" ;"
She hurried away to the door.
Il must go to Aunt Millicent," she
said
She went to her anuts room.
Adrian was there.
II was going to send Stanton for
you, you naughty girl" said Aunt
Millicent gaily. Come here. my
darling. and let me kiss you"
She put her arms round Rhoda
and kissed her fondly. Then she put
her gently back and smoothed her
hair.
You must teach her to laugh,
Adrian-show her how to look hap
py. l think you will be an excellent
teacher; you have learned the lesson
SO well yourself"
Adrian looked radiantly happy as
he stood looking down at Rhoda.
do you know what Adrian has
been saying to me, Rhoda?" her aunt
went on. He wants what l want SO
| much, dear-an early marriage"
Don't let us talk about that to-
day." said Rhoda. quickly.
II must" replied Miss Dering
"Rhoda. l have not long to live; you
know that as well as | do. Let me
have this bit of happiness before l
go; let me see you Adrian's wife!"
"Rhoda. l would not hurry you"
said Adrian quickly; but you must
know how l want you! Let Aunt
Millicent talk to you. Do not refuse
| to listen to her."
Il will listen to her." Rhoda an
swered gently; but not now. Do
not let us talk about it now"
Have you seen Agnes?' said Miss
Dering. with look of malicious tri-
| umph. Does she seem pleased,
Adrian"
Adrian did not return Miss Der
ing's smile.