Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-08-20
Adrian,s face became bright with

Are you sure, Molly?" he said,
with tremor in his strong voice.
60 and ask Rhoda," was all the
answer Molly would give him. She
ran away from him down the steps,
and he hurried towards the lime
walk.
The grave, stern, cold man had
never loved before. Absorbed in in
tellectual pursuits and in his parlia-
mentary work, he had left love out
OF his life, and few months before
had looked forward to a quiet happy
marriage with his cousin Molly, for
whom he felt calm affection. Now
he had learned to love Rhoda with
all the passionate alteration, the in
tense reverence of a mans first love.
His face flushed as he caught sight
Of her in the lime walk. She was
sitting on one of the low seats un-
der the trees. absorbed in thought
He approached very gently, and 1t
was not until he said, "Rhoda" that
she knew he was naar. She started
up and moved as IL to leave him;
but he stepped forward and caught
her hand.
"You must listen to me-" he said.
Come, sit down again. and let me
speak quietly to you"
Rhoda looked at him with
strange wild expression on her face,
side her, holding her hand close
clasped In his,
Dear Rhoda, would not take
your answer last week; give 1t to me
now. 1 will be satisfied with so very
little. Only tell me that you will try
to love me, and that will make me
quite happy"
The girl did not speak for a mo-
ment; then she turned and looked
at her cousin.
"You should have taken my an
swer last week, Adrian. 1t would
have been happier for you"
There Is no happiness for me
but the happiness of your love-" he
said gravely. ''If you refuse me,
Rhoda, life will have ended for me,
as far as happiness is concerned"
He took both her hands In his strong
clasp and looked longingly, en-
treatingly at her. "You will not re-
fuse me this time? Rhoda, feel SO
sure that l can make you love me,
even II you do not love me already.
Promise to try to love me-"
She allowed her hands to rest In
his clasp and raised her eyes to meet
his adoring glance.
II will try" she said family.
NUT hio ~, a,e,nA
her and bent and kissed her.
you love me now," he whis-
peered; II know you love me,
Rhoda."
He kissed her lips again and
drew her closer to him; but she
grew so pale and trembled SO much
that he was frightened at her look.
81 have been too hasty," he said
remorsefully. II have startled
YOU"
Let us go back to the house." she
said, getting up. He rose and drew
her hand within his arm.
You are not angry with me.
Rhoda?" he said humbly.
She shook her head.
81 love you so dearly" he whis-
pered; II had to tell you 30. Give
me kind look, Rhoda."
The girl tried to smile at him, but
the smile died on her lips.
Adrian, be patient with me-" she
said.
Come to Aunt Millicent." was his
answer. You know she has set her
heart on this; and we must tell Aunt
Agnes and Uncle George. Molly
knows already. She sent me to you,
Rhoda, with prophecy of my good
fortune"
Talking thus, he led her into the
house Mr.. Dering was still in the
hall. Adrian took Rhoda proudly
up to him.
Uncle George, Rhoda has prom
ised to be my wife," he said.
Mr.. Dering looked at them very
kindly.
you make handsome pair" he
said, with smile. 81 am very glad
Of it, Adrian, my boy"
Rhoda drew her hand from
Adrian's and slipped away to go to
| hOi oWh loohB UuI nuOliy, WIZ wa
waiting for her in the corridor, drew
her into her own little sitting-room.
well. Rhoda?' she said. with an
arch look.
"Well, Molly?"
TITS all right. isn't 1t. Rhoda7"-
wondering at her cousins haggard
face.
Quite right" replied Rhoda,
with mirthless laugh. II am en-
gagged to Adrian"
II am SO glad" Molly said, with
warm kiss. But the look on Rho
da's startled her. tar
you are happy, are you not, Rho
da?" she said anxiously. you love
Adrian?"
"Yes. love him." answered Rho
da. She paused moment and then
added. ut would be easier II did
not"