The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-07-05
The Sole Survivor
By GEORGE ELMER COBB
Copyright. 1919. By Western Newspaper Union.l

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 a rare and radiant romance.
She had met Ronald Dudley, and her
fate, at one and the same time. He
was a 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 60
South to settle an estate, would re,
turn for good in six months, and then
there was to be a grand wedding and
the young couple would settle down
in a pretty bungalow within sight, and
even call, of the Lusk home.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lusk had rented the
old Marsden mansion for five years.
1t was ready at hand, had a beauti-
full garden and was sumptuOusly fur
nisAed. Miss Marcia Williston had in
herited it from her widowed mother,
had found it lonesome living all by
herself and had decided to make a
permanent home with a married sis
ter.
She was a tall, stately woman of
perhaps thirty, and had given up her
ha hn criv-o hn np
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
fiance, who never came. There had
fallen to him through q legacy sew
eral whaling vessels, and he had
sailed away in one of them to familiar
ize 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 it's owner, or
the crew. Mutely Miss WillistOn
bowed with resignation to the blow
that swept from life all she cared liv-
ing for. She never paraded her sOr-
row before others.
"If Ronald should meet the face of
Miss Williston's poor lOver?" breathed
Rhoda, and she shuddered at the mere
thought. "Oh, l 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."
Her parents had gone downtown to
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 a suggestion as to the dispOsi-
ton of umbrellas and rubbers, and
finally gave up the task as she
dropped to a window seat under the
oriel window in the reception hall.
"The only way I see is to buy a
narrow wardrobe and fit it into the
corner under the stairs" planned
Rhoda, and then, arising from the win
dow seat she noticed that its oak top
moved. She had not observed before
that the top was hinged. "Just the
place." she exclaimed, lifting the
board. "Oh my!H
Rhoda stood transhxed gazing down
into the deep long space. There was a
layer of tissue paper at its bottom.
Above showed a bewildering array
Of flnery-silk, satin, ribbons, embrOid-
cry, a wedding dress and veil and
dainty slippers; in fact all the acces-
sories of an elegant bridal trousseau.
RhOda stood in an enraptured dream.
Only when for the second time the
door bell rang, did she hasten to the
vestibule. She unlocked the screen
door latch and admitted Miss Willis
ton.
'T came to remove some personal
belongings" began the latter, and
then, with a sharp catch in her voice,
stared at the finery exposed in the in
terror of the window seat. Her lips
trembled and a quick pallOr came into
her face. In an instant RhOda COM
pretended that the trOusSeau must be
the one she had prepared when her
lover went away and had not re-
turned. Rhoda looked awed, sorry.
She was almost at the point Of tears,
as she realized how cruelty the unex-
pected conformation must lacerate
the heart of her visitor.
ut was quite by accident that l lift
ed the cover" began Rhoda, but Miss
Williston with a wan, but kindly
smile, stroked the golden hair Of this
more fortunate fiancee, as she recov-
cred her wonted calmneSs.
'You have not offended nor hurt
me, dear" she said. 1T was after
those reminders of a happy dream
that I came, but long since the mem
ory of the one I loved and lost has
become a consolation. Come, all
your bright happiness in life is be-
fore you! We may add to it by look
ing over my cherished mementoes."
To both those mementoes were pre-
cious and sacred. In her quiet way
Miss WillistOn showed one after an
other of the articles. She even placed