Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-07-30

must look after the luncheons." she
said. Sarah is clamoring for her
wages againi"
"Contound the grill What on
earth made you have that girl,
Rhoda7 Celine was worth twenty
Of her!"
'Celine-was Celine!" said Rhoda,
with bitter smile.
Mr.. Dering shrugged his shoul-
ders.
Let us hope the time ia coming
when you can afford to be particu-
lar, Rhoda. LEROY Is coming to
lunch"
"You can hardly call me particu-
lar" the girl said. 81 sit at the Ia
BILE with M. Lefroy!"
Mr.. Dering took out a cigar and
began to light It as he answered.:
IF you were not going to Dering,
you would have another proposal
made to you, Rhoda."
Pray of what kind?"
From M. Lefroy."
Rhoda turned with sudden look
of intense scorn on her dark face.
Her father laughed.
"You are going to Dering, my
dear, or 1 should have advised you
to accept 1t. 1 owe LEROY five thou
sand francs"
you know I hate him."
"But you must have married him,
my dear, If you had not gone to
Dering!"
''Well, we need not discuss It, You
see we are agreed about my little
plan. BY the bye," he added, as
Rhoda moved towards the door,
"how old are you, Rhoda?"
You know"
But you do not, my dear; you are
twenty. 1 took leave to alter your
age by two years. No woman can
object to be two years younger than
she isl"
Rhoda turned back into the room
and shut the door. She sat down
by her father and laid her hand
upon his arm.
Father, 1 do not think can do
it. 1 shall not be able to play my
part. Write, or let me write, and
tell uncle George the truth. Tell
him that have shared your life for
these years. He cannot refuse to
have me even If he knows the
truth"
Mr.. Dering laid down his cigar
and put his hand over hers.
"My dear" he said, in very gen.
tie tone, "I have been a reckless and
careless father to you, and 1 want
you to have this one chance. I know
Dering; 1 want you know 1t. You
say, tell George the truth. How is
it possible? Look the truth in the
face, Rhoda. have been gambler
and a cheat. You have known this,
and you have lived with me for two
years. That one thing would cut
you off for ever from Dering if it
were known"
Rhoda said nothing.
when you came back from the
convent" her father went on after
pause, 81 meant to reform-I tried
to do it-you know 1 did, Rhoda.
But it was of no use. We have been
good comrades and friends, my girl,
but the time has come for us to part.
I am in Lefroy's power to some ex-
tent, and he and 1 are going to be
partners for the future. If you stay
with me, you must marry him,
Rhoda."
Cannot we go away together
go to the colonies -anywhere-and
begin a new life?'
I'VE threshed out that question
long ago, Rhoda. No, my dear; do
little for great good. Go to Dering
it is your rightful home-and try
your luck there. Only understand
this, Rhoda-the invitation is given
to you as you were two years ago.
close the doors of Dering to you for
ever!"
Rhoda's face hardened and her
lips grew stern.
"Yes, you are right to blame me-"
Mr.. Dering went on as he watched
her face. ~ ought never to have
brought you into my life. But I
knew could take care of you-and
I have taken care Of you-now
haven't I. Rhoda?"
"Yet you say that they would turn
me out of Dering If they knew the
truth"
"They would certainly turn you
out of Dering II they knew that you
had. lived with me for two years!"
he answered emphatically. "But
they do not know-they never will
knowi"
Rhoda rose from her seat.
"They shall not know" she said.
She paused for moment and then
slowly left the room.
Mr.. Dering took up his cigar again
and smoked for little while. But
presently he laid 1t down again and
sat looking before him with a heavy
frown on his brow. Once OF twice
he gave a hopeless sigh. His face
looked very worn and haggard in
the morning light. He was still sit