Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-06-24
been able to run down lately"

ing, tall and dark and slenderly
built. He reminded Rhoda little
of her father; but there was a look
of intellectual power on Adrian's
face that was wanting in Mr.. Der
ing's. Yet it was a cold face; there
was no tenderness or softness in its
lines, no gentleness in the brilliant
dark eyes. He was very cordial how
ever to the two ladies, got tea for
them, and accepted with evident
pleasure Miss Derings invitation to
dinner that evening.
This is for your black silk dress,
Rhoda. it is too plain for you. Put
this lace on and wear some flowers
tonight l don't want Adrian to
think us dingy and old-fashioned."
Rhoda saw Adrian Dering nearly
every day that week-often more
than once day. Once or twice Miss
Dering sent them out together. One
long walk they had in the early
morning of the last day through
Hyde Park into Kensington Gardens.
Rhoda exclaimed at the beauty of
the old trees in the Gardens.
'They remind me of the trees in
our convent garden" she said invol-
unfairly.
Adrian looked at her with one of
his rare smiles.
There is strange fascination
for me in the thought Of that con-
vent life Of yours" he said. "How
shut off from the world 1t must have
been! 1t is the right sort of educa-
ton for a girl"
Rhoda looked straight before her
without speaking.
when l saw you first" Adrian
went on, 'it seemed to me as If the
quiet spirit of the convent life was
still resting on you; you were very
pale, and your solemn gray eyes
seemed to reproach the world for
being so gay and flippant. l Won
dered then if you had ever laughed"
You have heard me laugh since,"
said Rhoda, with bitter little smile.
"Once or twice; and l have seen
you smile as you are smiling now,
as if you were unused to mirth. How
different you are from little Molly!"
Very different"
MOLLY has always lived In the
sunshine, and she does not know
what seriousness is. You. Rhoda,
have learned much from those grave,
quiet convent years"
You think you understand me af-
ter a weeks frienship?" said Rhoda,
trying to speak lightly.
Il do understand you; l look at
your face and read your nature there
tender and strong and true. No
wonder you have made Aunt MILL
cent different being! | thank you
for that Rhoda; your influence over
her is wonderful"
You are unjust to Molly" she
answered.; you do not appreciate
her"
I'VE do not suit each other" said
Adrian. briefly. He glanced at Rho
da, and then said. Aunt Agnes may
have told you of her wishes, Rhoda."
She told me 1t was her wish that
Molly should marry you"
1T will be a trial for her to know
the truth" he answered. Molly
could never care for me. | once
wished to marry Molly; / thought 1t
would be right. But | do not wish
that any longer, Rhoda."
Rhoda was about to answer, when
a girl, who had been walking at
little distance. turned and ap-
preached them. Rhoda recognized
her Paris servant Sarah.
That girl seems to know you,"
said Adrian. glancing at her.
Il must speak to her." said Rho
da, hurrriedly. She went quickly for
ward.
How strange to meet you here.
Sarah!" she said in low tone.
To her surprise, the girl burst in
to tears. She caught hold of Rho
da's hand and held it,
What Is the matter?" said Rhoda
family. Terror that Adrian might
overhear made her heart beat fast.
He must know the truth one day,
but not by a chance discovery like
this.
Miss Dering, saw you by
chance in the street yesterday, and
have been waiting about. | followed
you to-day; l want to speak to you"
What do you want to say?" said
Rhoda.
ITO tell you that l won't do It,"
whispered the girl.
do WHAT"
What the Frenchman wanted of
me; l will send the money back to
him. My sister is in good service.
and she will help me. will not
have his money"
Monsieur Lefroy gave you mon
ey? What did he give 1t to you
for?"
1T was the night before l went
away. was to give him the address
where I could always be found; and,
when he wanted me, l was to tell
things against you. But l wanted
to write and tell you l wouldn't do