Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1919-06-12
The Sole Survivor
b. GEORGE ELMER COBB
Copyright. 1919. By Western Newspaper Union.S


Rhoda Lusk was singing fully
quarter Of her time, smiling and
CHEEKY whenever she was with her
friends, and happy all Of the time.
just now she was unusually joyous
and she went tripping about the house
thinking herself the most fortunate
young lady that ever was, or could be.
For the past six months of her life
had been rare and radiant romance.
She had met Ronald Dudley. and her
fate, Mt one and the same time. He
was manly, handsome young fellow
and he had Won the good will of
Rhoda's parents and that of all her
other relatives. Ronald had to go
South to settle an estate, would re,
turn for good in six months, and then
there was to be grand wedding and
the young couple would settle down
in pretty bungalow within sight, and
even call, Of the Lusk home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lusk had rented the
old NIarsden mansion for five years.
1t was ready ut hand, had a benuti-
full garden and was sumptuously fur
niSacd. Miss Marcia WillistOn had in
herited it from her widowed mother.
had found 1t lonesome living all by
herself and had decided to make
permanent home with married sis
ter.
She was tall, stately woman Of
perhaps thirty, and had given up her
home as had she given up the hope Of
passing many happy hours under that
roof. Rhoda had heard her story and
it excited gentle pity in her gentle
soul. For five years Miss Williston
had waited for the lover, the pledged
flance, who never came. There had
fallen to him through legacy sew
eral whaling vessels, and he had
sailed away in one of them to familiar
lie himself with the business that was
to bring him his living income. His voy-
age was to end in a year. Two went
by, three. Nothing was heard Of the
missing North Star, or its owner, or
the crew. Nlutely Miss Williston
bowed with resignation to the blow
that swept from life oil she cared liv-
ing for. She never paraded her sor-
row before others.
"If Ronald should meet the face of
Miss Willistons poor lovcr!" breathed
RhOda, and she shnddered at the mere
thought. ooh, must not forget she
added. "Mamma told me to be sure
to find some odd corner or closet
where we can put our umbrellas and
: rubbers."
l Her parents had gone downtown to
t obtain some odds and ends needed for
kitchen use, and except for the cook
no one was in the house except Rhoda.
She puzzled her active brain search
ing for n suggestion as to the DISPOSE
!, ton of umbrellas and rubbers and
: finally gave up the task as she
dropped to window seat under the
oriel window in the reception hall.
'"The only way see is to buy a
:. narrow wardrobe and fit it into the
f corner under the stairs" planned
Rhoda, and then, arising from the win
dow seat she noticed that its oak tor
moved. She had not observed before
that the top was hinged. Just the
!. place!" she exclaimed, lifting the
board. ooh, my"
Rhoda stood transfixed gazing dowr
into the deep, long space. There was {
layer of tissue paper at its bottom
e Above showed bewildering ARA!
Of finery-sillz, satin, ribbons, cmbroid
cry, wedding dress and veil AM
dainty slippers; in fact all the acces
series Of an elegant bridal trousseau
Rhoda stood in an enraptured dream
> Only when for the second time tn
door bell rang, did she hasten to tn
vestibule. She unlocked the scrcel
g door latch and admitted Miss Willis
ton.
II came to remove some persona
belongings" BEGIN the latter, ant
= then, with sharp catch in her voice
stared at the finery exposed in the in
terror of the window sent Her lip
= trembled and a quick pallor came int
her face In an instant RhOda com
pretended that the troussenu must b
the one she had prepared when he
lover went away and had not re
turned. Rhoda looked awed, sorry
She was almost at the point of tear!
h as she realized how cruelty the une,
pected conformation must lacerat
the heart of her visitor
ut was quite by accident that ltf
ed the cover" began Rhoda, but Mis-
Willston with a wan, but kindl
smile, strolked the golden hair Of thi
more fortunate f1ancee, as she reco'
r. cred her wonted calmness.
: "You have not offended nor hui
- me, dear" she said. 1T was afte
. those reminders Of happy dreal
that l came, but long since the men
u ory Of the one loved and lost hH
J. become consolation. Come, a
your bright happiness in life is b.
fore YOU! We may add to 1t by lonl
ing over my cherished memcntoes.'
To both those mementoes were pr
cious and sacred. In her quiet wa
n Miss Williston showed one after nj
other of the articles. She even place
the veil upon her head to pleas
- Rhoda, and then
~ UAEoco;o Z NV Marcia !"