Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-08-27

"But should like It settled" the
girl answered feverishly. you win
write soon, won't your"
every soon," was Mrs. Dering's
soothing answer.
Since Rhoda had been able to
think coherently, her idea had been
to go away from Dering, as soon as
she was we'll, to some home or insti-
tuition where she could get work to
do among the sick and poor. She
began to speak OF 1t again.
"I shall be happier when am at
work, aunt. You have been very
good to me and forgiven me. but
cannot forgive myself"
Here Is Molly to talk to you,"
said her aunt. I'VE will speak about
all this tomorrow, Rhoda. Well,
Molly, so you have come back?"
"Yes-here I am. Bill has come
to see Rhoda, and Jack has brought
you these strawberries"
Mrs. Dering left the girls together.
Molly seated herself at Rhoda's feet
and called Bill to lie down upon the
window-sill.
IL wonder II Bill will know us
again." she said meditatively, strok-
ing his black head. But Ulysses'
dog knew him, and we shall not be
gone so long as that"
Where are you going?" said
Rhoda, looking at her cousin.
Jack and l are going to Amer
lea for our wedding tour" replied
Molly, with a blush and a smile. "It
has all been settled. at last, and we
are only waiting for" Molly
stopped and looked confused. then
she took Rhoda's hand and kissed It.
"Rhoda, 1 want you to promise me
something"
Anything can promise" said
Rhoda gently.
Then will you see him2"
"of course. 1 WILL" answered Rho
da at once. Him must mean Jack.
abe thought.
He is here, and promised to fnd
out II you would see him. You are
sure 1t will not be too much for
you?"
"I shall be glad to see him." said
Rhoda
lneu ne Sudll COLlO up hhiS AAS-
ment," said Molly eagerly.
She ran away, and Rhoda waited,
thinking with tender little smile, of
Molly's happiness. After a little
while she heard her footsteps along
the passage and also another f1rmOr
heavier step, which set her pulses
beating rapidly. 1t was Adrian Molly
had meant She had not seen him
since the day her father died. Molly
opened the door and shut 1t softly
after Adrian had entered.
81 am going to leave them alone.
BILL" she said confidentially to her
dog. Let US go away and leave them
quite alone"
Adrian sat down by Rhoda's sofa
1T is very good of you to let me
come and see you," he said gently.
II thought Molly meant Jack"
Rhoda answered family. II did not
know you were here"
II have been here for weeks" he
said gravely.
He took up her thin left hand and
looked at 1t. then he raised 1t to his
lips, Rhoda drew 1t quickly away.
but Adrian took 1t again In his clasp.
where is my ring?" he asked.
Rhoda's lips quivered SO that abe
could scarcely speak.
"I do not know-Mrs. Dering has
it."
"You must wear 1t again, Rhoda-"
"Ah. no, Adrian! Do not speak
like that to me. We must put the
past quite away. I shall soon leave
Dering, and you will forget me-"
"Yes, we must put the past away;
but not all the past. Rhoda. moth
ing has altered our relations to each
other; you are still my promised
wife!"
Rhoda shook her head.
''It was a great, q bitter shock to
me-" he went on. But l love you.
Rhoda-I love you devotedly. can
not do without you'll"
81 could not find happines in love
without respect" Rhoda answered;
"and I have Lost your respect.
Adrian!"
He hesitated a moment. then he
knelt down and took her hands In
| his.
"I believe in you STILL" he said. II
cannot hide from you the fact that 1t
has been very hard to keep my be-
lief in you, but / cannot look into
your face, Rhoda. without knowing
that you are worthy of my love! And
you must not speak of our being
parted; 1t is your duty to keep your
engagement. I love you; ! cannot
do without you'll" He put his arm
gently round her and bent and
kissed her. LET US put all the Bit
terness Of the past away" he said.
"and think only Of our happy fu-
ture!"
"It shall be as you WILL" Rhoda
whispered. "I love you dearly. and
my whole life shall be spent in show
ing you that I deserve your truSe-"
THE END. -