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


Rhoda glanced round the stately
hall. The paneled walls were COW
Cred with old armor, and there were
one or two of the finest portraits
there. In the glorious arched roof
were stained glass windows, and the
colored light fell upon the marble
floor and illumined the beautiful
tapestry hanging before the doors
and the oak cabinets filled with
costly china.
ut is very beautiful" Rhoda said
gravely.
THE Derings have held this house
for more than Ave centuries" said
Mrs. Dering, In cold tone. "The
annals of our race are filled with no.
BILE deeds of noble men and women.
Do you think that you are worthy to
be mistress here?"
Rhoda's dark face flushed at the
cruel words.
do you mean to insult me, Aunt
Agnes?"
II mean to tell you the truth.
Since you have entered these doors,
you have been spoiled by adulation
and flattery; but 1 will speak the
truth to YOU"
go on" said Rhoda. She
clenched her hands, and her very
lips grew pale with the effort to be
calm.
"Your father is a disgrace to his
name," said Mrs. Dering, in slow
measured tones. you were edu-
Gated by charity in the convent.
You were asked here out of pity be-
cause your uncle did not wish you to
live with your father or to become
q governess. And how have you re-
warded his kindness? You have
schemed to get your aunt's fortune.
You have schemed to get Adrian's
love. You think you are successful
in both, but be not too sure. Your
aunt Is still living and Adrian has
not proposed to you yet"
Mrs. Dering stopped. The pale set
look On Rhoda's face checked her
violent words.
Have you finished?" said Rhoda
slowly.
"Yes-I have finished Think over
what have said. Ask yourself If
you are At mistress for Dering be-
fore you try any more to win that
position"
"Then listen to me for one mo-
ment. Aunt Agnes. I have not
schemed; Aunt Millicents love was
freely given to me. But you are
wrong in one point. Adrian asked
me to be his wife last week."
"And you refused him? 1 do not
believe It,"
HE will ask me again to-day"
said Rhoda, with a passionate thrill
In her voice. To-day 1 shall ac-
cept him."
Mrs. Dering rose and was about
to speak, when Molly's voice sound
ed without; she was making some
laughing remark to her father. The
next moment they entered.
"Oh, you foolish, foolish people!"
cried Molly. "It is so lovely out-of
doors! Go out at once, Rhoda; 1
will go with you"
'No, dear. mol" said Rhoda hur-
riedly. She hastily passed Molly and
went out into the afternoon sun
shine.
What is the matter with Rhoda?"
said Molly wonderingly. II am
afraid aunt Millicent must be
worse"
Mrs. Dering made some slight re-
mark and left the hall. Molly turned
to her father and raised her pretty
eyebrows.
"Quarreling, dad?"
81 am afraid so," he said, shaking
his head.
Molly danced up to him and put
her arms within his.
Mother will become resigned to
1t when Jack comes home; Jack al
ways makes her see things in the
right light. And 1t Is all so very
lucky; should not like Adrian to
marry out Of the family
"You little puss, why didn't you
fall In love with him and please your
mother?'
because Adrian didn't fall in
love with me-" returned Molly
promptly. "If he had, there would
have been no chance for any one
else"
mot for Jack?" said her father
teasingly.
Molly shook her head.
mot even for Jack! Adrian you
see, would have insisted on my
marrying him. and l should have
had to do it! How thankful we all
ought to bel"
-
Molly was standing on the ter.
race steps with her dog In her arms
when Adrian drove UP from the sta.
ton. He handed the reins to the
groom and ran up the steps to her
She nodded brightly to him.
Father Is in the library" she
said, with teasing look. "He wants
to consult you about the new Act In
relation to trespassers.
II cannot stay very long" said
Adrian haaita tinplv. HI pnuot he