Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-08-20
CHAPTER ".

at her feet.
"Tell her what?" she said. with q
pretty smile.
You are looking so sad. Tell me
what you are thinking about"
The two girls were sitting in Mol
ly's room about month after Rho
da's return from London. The win
dow was open. and the first warm
breath of Spring blew In from the
gardens. Molly put her arms coax
ingly round Rhoda.
"You are going to be good to
Adrian, aren't you, Rhoda7"
Rhoda flushed deeply.
molly, you are silly"
mo, am very wise. I used to
laugh at Adrian and his solemn
ways, but have got to like him
lately. since he fell in love with
you"
Molly. you should not talk So"
"Why not2 We all know-you
know 1t better than anybody else.
Poor Adrian, how you chilled him
yesterday by that solemn gaze Of
yours; l could not treat Jack like
It,"
when does Jack come homer"
Rhoda said. hastily changing the
subject.
Next Tuesday" answered Molly.
"Bill has grown out Of knowledge.
hasn't he. Rhoda7 Come back here.
SIR"
The black puppy. who had been
lying on the hearth rug, got slowly
up and ambled across to Molly.
Your master is coming home in
FIVE days." said Molly, shaking her
foreflnger at the dog. Hold your
self up straight. sir. and do credit to
my teaching"
Molly was interrupted at this mo-
ment by the entrance of Mrs. Dering.
Mrs. Dering looked very pale and
worn, and there was a cold bitter
ness in her tone as she addressed
Rhoda.
Your aunt wants you, Rhoda."
Rhoda rose and left the room In
silence. Molly, who did not move
from the footstool where she had
been sitting at Rhoda's feet, went ON
lecturing her dog.
"Give mo your right paw-your
right paw. Don't you know your
right from your left7 Isn't he an
ignorant puppy. mother?"
Mrs. Dering had sat down upon q
low chair by the fire and was look
ing gravely at Molly.
II wish you would leave OF these
childish ways, Molly"
Molly shook her head.
II shall never leave of being fond
of Bill. mother"
"I wish Rhoda had never come to
Dering." Mrs. Dering said. after q
moments pause.
There was q bitterness In the tone
that startled Molly. She got up and
crossed over to her mothers side.
Mother, It could never have been.
should mover have married Adrian.
Don't think that Rhoda has crossed
your will in this. could never have
married Adrian"
"She has supplanted you with
your aunt" Mrs. Dering went on In
the same bitter tone. II am sure
she has made q new will in Rhoda's
favor. That money ought to be
yours"
But whyf Rhoda is her niece
too; and she did leave 1t to me until
I teased her 30 unkindly. Rhoda has
known how to be truthful to her and
yet win her love. I shall be very
glad If Rhoda has the money!"
"You are a child. silly child! You
know nothing of the value of mon
ey! Molly. wanted you to live here
when your father and I are gone;
but 1t Is Rhoda who will be mistress
herel"
And what charming mistress Of
Dering she will make! You will like
1t when you are used to the idea,
mother. and you would rather was
happy than rich. You want your lit
tie Molly to be happyf"
You do not understand, Molly"
was Mrs. Dertng's impatient answer.
She got up, stumbling over the dog,
who had curled himself UP In a cor
ner of Molly'B gown.
That dogs right place is In the
Btables!" she said sharply.
my Bill in the stables, mother7'
cried Molly, with look Of mock dis
tress. Then l must live In the sta
bles. too; cannot bo parted from
himi"
Mrs. Dering could not resist smil-
ing; but the smiis instantly gave
way to q heavy frown.
"Rhoda will be with her aunt all
day, I supposer"
Adrian is coming down this af-
ternoon."
"He is sure to spend most of the
time in Millicent's room. We are
outsiders, now. Molly"
well, I am glad to be an out
slider, so far as Millicent's room Ia
concerned" said Molly, with q little
laugh. Even Rhoda cannot con-
vert her to the extent of having fresh
air In her room. Poor Aunt Mill
cent! Do you think she Ia really
| very I'LL motherf"