Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-06-03

yes, tn8C ID ali ! nave TO 90,
she returned with a bitter smile.
She took up her hat and gloves. 81
must look after the luncheons." she
said. Sarah is clamoring for her
wages again!"
"Confound the girl! What on
earth made you have that girl.
Rhoda? Celine was worth twenty
Of her!"
'Celine-was Celine!" said Rhoda.
with a bitter smile.
Mr.. Dering shrugged his shoul-
ders.
Let us hope the time is coming
when you can afford to be particu-
lar, Rhoda. LEROY is coming to
lunch"
you can hardly call me particu-
lar" the girl said. II sit at the Ia
BILE with M. Lefroy!"
Mr.. Dering took out q cigar and
began to light it as he answered.:
''If you were not going to Dering,
you would have another proposal
made to you, Rhoda."
pray of what kind?"
from M. LEROY.
Rhoda turned with a sudden look
Of intense scorn on her dark face.
Her father laughed.
"You are going to Dering, my
dear, or l should have advised you
to accept 1t. ! owe LEROY Ave thou
sand francs"
you know l hate him."
But you must have married him,
my dear, If you had not gone to
Dering!"
"Never!"
well, we need not discuss 1t. You
see we are agreed about my little
plan. BY the bye" he added, as
Rhoda moved towards the door.
"how old are you. Rhoda?"
You know"
But you do not, my dear; you are
twenty. l took leave to alter your
age by two years. No woman can
object to be two years younger than
she is!'
Rhoda turned back into the room
and shut the door. She sat down
by her father and laid her hand
upon his arm.
Father, l do not think can do
It, l shall not be able to play my
part. Write, or let me write. and
tell uncle George the truth. Tell
him that l have shared your life for
these years. He cannot refuse to
have me even II he knows the
truth"
Mr.. Dering laid down his cigar
and put his hand over hers.
my dear" he said, in a very gen.
tie tone, Il have been a reckless and
careless father to you, and l want
you to have this one chance. l know
Dering; l want you know It, You
say, tell George the truth. How Is
1t possible? Look the truth in the
face, Rhoda. l have been a gambler
and a cheat. You have known this.
and you have lived with me for two
years. That one thing would cut
you off for ever from Dering II 1t
were known"
Rhoda said nothing.
when you came back from the
convent" her father went on after a
pause, II meant to reform-I tried
to do it-you know ! did, Rhoda.
But 1t was Of no use. We have been
good comrades and friends. my rirl.
but the time has come for US to part.
/ am in Lefroy's power to some ex-
tent, and he and l are going to be
partners for the future. If you stay
with me, you must marry him.
Rhoda."
Cannot we go away together
go to the colonies-anywhere
begin a new life?"
I'VE threshed out that question
long ago. Rhoda. No, my dear; do
little for a great good. Go to Dering
it is your rightful home-and try
your luck there. Only understand
this, Rhoda-the invitation is given
to you as you were two years ago.
The, least hint of the truth would
close the doors of Dering to you for
ever!"
Rhoda's face hardened and her
lips grew stern.
Eyes, you are right to blame me" +"
Mr.. Dering went on as he watched
her face. II ought never to have
brought you into my life. But I
knew / could take care of you-and
l have taken care Of you-now
haven't I, Rhoda?"
"Yet you say that they would turn
me out of Dering If they knew the
truth"
"They would certainly turn you
out of Dering If they knew that you
had lived with me for two years!"
he answered emphatically. But
they do not know--they never will
know!"
Rhoda rose from her seat.
"They shall not know" she said.
She paused for moment and ther
slowly left the room.
Mr.. Dering took up his cigar again