Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1910-06-24
RHODA'S
SECRET
By SYLVIA CHESTER

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Rhoda laid her hand gently upon
her aunt's shoulder. She had en-
tered the room with selfish schemes
in her heart; there was nothing but
deep pity now as she looked at the
worn miserable face of the desolate
woman. Miss Dering let the curtain
fall and took Rhoda's hand in hers.
you are alone too" she said.
'"They won't love you any more
than they love me. Molly and Mrs.
DeTing have all the love George has
still to give; and your aunt Do
you like your aunt, Rhoda?"
Il have seen so little of her."
"Ah, you are cautious! Come, sit
down again and forget all my foolish
words. But it was like seeing ghost
to look at you, Rhoda. Only you are
pale and grave. That was not like
me; | was the life of the house. Did
your father ever talk of me?'
Rhoda paused before she answered
and Miss Dering went on.
But, of course, you have not seen
him for years. You are like him,
Rhoda We were very much alike,
Arthur and l. He would not know
me now"
You saw my mother once?" said
Rhoda.
Il went to see them at Lucerne.
That was before you We're born.
Your mother was not a lady, Rhoda,
and we were all very angry with
Arthur for marrying her. That was
his first offense. My father was a
proud man, he struck Arthur's name
out of his will. | went secretly to
Lucerne to see your father; but we
uuarreled He had very bitter
tongue; and he did not spare me.
But saw your mother-a sweet fair
little girl; | can see her now"
You never saw her again?"
Never. We lost sight of them for
years. | had my own troubles to live
through. l have had great troubles,
Rhoda. | was to have married Lord
Woburn's eldest son; but he died.
And | had other troubles after that.
And now | am desolate and only
borne with for my money. You
hHOW L uiH very Iltli, toli sou.
Molly told me So"
Mrs. Dering thinks that | shall
leave it all to Molly. Perhaps
shalt" She gave Rhoda an cdd
look and settled her draperies
round her with trembling fingers.
''Do | look very haggard and
old?" she said, with a piteous look.
al fran nj ltr
Yes, Aunt Millicent, you do look
very haggard. You look older than
you ought to look. because you dress
so youthfully."
Rhoda had meant to speak very
Hifferently-to please; to fiatter;
but the words came despite herself.
Miss Dering went to the glass and
looked at herself. Then she turned
to Rhoda.
How would you like me to
dress?" she said sharply.
You ought to wear pretty cap
and a different dress, and let more
light into your room. You would
look beautiful still, Aunt Millicent-
as beautiful as you did when you
were young, only with a different
kind of beauty"
Miss Dering dropped the curtain
and sat down again.
You are very extraordinary
young woman, Rhoda," she said.
so you do not like my room or my
dress? You would like me to dress
as your nuns dressed, l suppose?"
"You would not like that" re-
piled Rhoda, with faint smile.
"They have dressed you very
prettily. Rhoda, what would | give
for your youth and your quiet un-
troubled past!"
Rhoda did not answer, and Miss
Dering went on in a lighter tone.
THE nuns have taught you how to
dress and taught you the virtue of
plain speaking. You will have to
forget the latter lesson, Rhoda."
"You asked my opinion" said
Rhoda gently.
'Oh, / like your frankness! / was
just like that; you are what / was
Rhoda. II you had been like your