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

Aunt Millicent's forever.
"Does she look SO young?"
''She is a haggard old lady" re-
turned Molly, with some asperity.
II have no patience with her! But
she was beauty in her youth. and
she thinks she Is beauty STILL But
l want her to like you, Rhoda; l
want her to leave you all her money.
She is immensely rich-her god
father left her a great fortune-and
she is constantly making new Wills
She left 1t all to me once. but l Of
Tended her beyond recall when
teased her about her complexion; it
was too bad Of me! Try to look as it
were all real, Rhoda-hair and
teeth and complexion and all! 1t
will be difficult. but l should like
you to be Aunt Millicent's heiress."
molly, you must please go away"
Rhoda said. ignoring all the last
speech; II shall never dress while
you are here
Put on a pretty Dress" was Mol
ly's answer, as she took up her
puppy. "and don't forget what told
you about Aunt Mlilicent. There
you will say l am incorrigible! But
Jack and planned 1t all; we intend
you to marry Adrian and have Aunt
Millicent's money!"
How very kind of you and Jack
to plan my future!" said Rhoda.
with a strange laugh.
Molly did not understand the look
Of bitterness on her cousins face.
She turned back and neld up her
face to be kissed.
"You are not vexed with me,
Rhoda?" she said. Il am such a
chatter-box, but I would not vex
you for the world"
my dear, you did not vex me;
you are a dear little grill"
"You look so sad" said Molly,
with a tender look In her blue eyes.
Were you very sorry to leave the
convent, Rhoda?"
Very sorry"
"You had been there so many
years, 1t must have been like home
" Sou. but lhAo Id W NC youA hoAhS
now, dear Rhoda!"
Rhoda's eyes were full of hot
tears as she bent and kissed Molly
gently.
MY dear little cousin, you are
very good to mel" she said.
hug and a long warm kiss. Then
she caught up her puppy and ran
away.
Rhoda had changed her dress for
a black silk and was sitting by the
fire, when there was tap at the
door and Mrs. Dering entered.
Are you ready. Rhoda? Are you
sure you would rather come down
to dinner?"
II am quite rested, thank you!"
said Rhoda briefly.
Mrs. Dering went and stood op-
posite to her on the hearth rug,
playing absently with her fan. while
she looked steadily at Rhoda. II
was not exactly an unkindly glance
but 1t was cool and critical. Rhoda s
cheeks flushed She rose and pushed
forward a chair.
"Will you not sit down. aunt?"
she said.
mo. thank you, my dear. You are
tall, Rhoda-as tall as l ami
YES" said Rhoda, briefly.
you remember your mother, OF
course?"
A strange passionate look came
over the girls face, her eyes dropped
and her lips quivered.
Il was a child when she died" she
said; but l remember her well"
-, Il hoped you would have been
like her"
81 am like my father" said Rhoda
Mrs. Dering frowned.
I'VE must understand each other
Rhoda. You must forget, within
these walls, that you are your IA
theirs child; that Is the condition or
which l have consented to have you
here. Never mention his name
again!"
Rhoda was silent. Mrs. Derine
went on.
II do not wish to speak of him tC
you; l wish to forget that he is
your father. l shall remember only
that you are my husbands niece.
wish to be very kind to you, Rhoda. >
Thank you!" said the girl with
pale set lips.
"If you had lived with your father
even for few months after your
mother died, we could not have had
you here. want you for companion
to my Molly" The mothers voice
grew tender as she uttered the name
She went ON without looking at Rho.
da. Il hope that Molly has a great
future before her. Her Aunt Mill
cent intends to make her heI
heiress, and we expect her to marry
our heir. He has career before
him in Parliament; he Is even now q
rising statesman and will be peer
some day, and one of the great men
Of the land. We are proud of him. .