The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-07-03
The Sole Survivor
BY GEORGE ELMER COBB
copyrlght 1ole. 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 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 Marsden mansion for five years.
1t was ready at hand, had a beauu-
full garden and was sumptuously fur
nisspd. Miss Marcia Williston had in
herited it from her widowed mother,
had found II 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
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
fiance who never came. There had
fallen to him through a 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 Stir or its owner, or
the crew. Mutely Miss Williston
bowed with resignation to the blow
that swept from life all she cared liy-
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 DISPOSE
tion Of umbrellas and rubbers, and
finally gave up the task as she
dropped to a window seat under the
orfcl window In the reception hall.
"Thc 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
placer She exclaimed, lifting the
board. ooh myn
Rhoda stood transfXed gazing down
into the deep long space. There was
layer Of tissue paper at its bottom.
Above showed a bewiIdering array
Of ry-silk, satin, ribbons, embroid-
cry. a wedding dress and veil and
dainty slippers; in fact all the acces-
series Of an elegant bridal rousseau.
Rhoda stood In am enraptured dream.
Only when for the second time the
door bell rang, did she hasten to the
vostbulp She unlocked the screen
Goor latch and admitted Miss Willis
ton.
81 came TO remove some personal
belongings" began the latter and
then, with n sharp catch In her voice,
stared ut the fncry exposed IN the in
terror Of the window seat Her lips
trembled and q quick pallor came into
her face. In ln instant Rhoda com
pretended That the trouSseau must be
! the one she had prepared when her
| lover won't away ana had not re-
/ turned. Rhoda looked awcd, sorry.
She was almost 40 the point Of tears,
MS she realized how cruelty the uncx-
pcctcd conformation must laccrate
the heart of her visitor.
at WAS quite by accident that lift
ga TITO cover" began Rhoda, but Miss
WIlnston with wan. but kindly
smile, strokod tine golden hair Of this
more fortunate dauoee, MS She recoy-
cred her wonted mlmncss.
"You have not offended nor hurt
me. dear" She said. at was after
those reminders 81 happy dream
that ! came, but long since the mem.
ory Of the one ! loved and lost has
become consolation Come an
your bright happiness In life Is be-
fore you We may add TO II by look.
ing over my cherished memcntoes"
20 both those mcmcntocs were pre-.
clous ana sacred. In her quiet way
Miss Willlston showed one after an.
other Of Chc.artIcles. She even plnced
the veil upon her head 70 please
Rhodn ana then
MARCIA My Marcia"
A bronzed, weathcr-Norn man had
burst IN the screen door. He caught
the svayug form Of the wife that was
20 be IN ms strong arms ana covered