The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-09-25
BY .HiLD2LO I.f.iIG.

cries. To use her sons expression, his
mother had sprung new one. and
! she was delighted in her young
! friends reserve The most favored
had been able to learn nothing OF
Rhoda's past, present or future from
her own lips.
It was the unusual charm Of her per
sonality which caused deep interest
upon all sides. and much conjecture.
Her clothing, though in good taste. was
50 independently simple that many
wondered if Mrs. Van Houton had
taken on 4 prstege.
James Comstock, being acceptably
the most interesting man in the set,
! was naturally her vis-a-vis. In fact,
during the days Of proximity In the
fine old house his heart had known its
first serious affection.
James. the heretofore invulneraole'
was, as Billy Van Houton said. de
{ cidedly hard hit"
Never before. he gloOmily admitted
to himself had face or voice OF Wom-
an haunted the nightly hours which
should be devoted to healthful slum-
Der. So James was justified in pos
sessing more than the usual share OF
curiosity concerning the real life OF tho
winsome Rhoda.
Perhaps" he said in answer to her
defense Of the book discussed, this
'Flory' may say more, in light man
ner, than / am clever enough to grasp.
But, fancy, for instance, being mar
ried to such dreamer. Poor husband
Of Flory! With his wife always soar
Ing above the blue. She isn't 30 bad at
rhyme, though, I'll admit; seems to
have q number Of little verses scat
tered through here and there, with
bar Of music to start them Of. Helps
to sell, ! suppose. Makes the book
look easy to read
Miss Kent nodded laughingiy.
But you would not want to be the
suffering husband who must listen to
his wife singing those things around
the house." she said.
"Heaven forbidw James piously
calculated. And the lovely girl at his
side arose in response to Mrs. Van
Houton's call.
"Come here, Rhoda," cried that mer-
~ person. Here are half a dozen
bored people wishing to be entertained.
My hope lies in you"
James Comstock ga1ed after the
graceful figure regretully. The glance
She threw back at him was strangely
disquieting. For days he had been
joyously secure in consciousness OF
the girls preference. Unaccountably
discouragement came upon him.
Rhoda's eyes had gazed at him re-
proachfully, her lips had closed firmly,
az though In displeasure. Then pres
emily he heard her voice In song; a.
she accompanied herself upon the
piano.
It was q little Scotch tune that the
girl played and the words sounded
vaxusly familiar. Comstock leaning
forward. listening attentively. found
that voice and tune thrilled him with
inexplieable tenderness. Where-had
-he-heard-the wordsf-
Idly his gaze fell upon The opened
book Of "Flory:" Then he knew. It
was one of the despised Flory's verses
ci
after a round Of involuntary hand
elappihg he heard Mrs. Van Houton's
triumphant announcement:
Il had not intended to tell you for
awhile; we have had such fun keep
ing our secret. But Rhoda Kent is
'Flory,' as you have guessed, with
those delightful books to her credit"
Comstock sat staring duly at the
volume in his hand long after silence
urociatmed that Rhoda's audience had
departed. Bitterly he recalled his re-
cent condemning conversation, with
its fervent Heaven forbid" that
wife such as she should be his own.
Well. he had done for himself this
time, be bitterly reflected, and this
time was all that counted in the world.
"If you please" asked Rhoda severe
". may / have that book Of silly
! twaddleT"
WretcheGly he looked up into the
lovely face above his.
"And-I was going to ask you to
be my wife,
"Heaven forbid :" murmured Rhoda.
"A wife floating around in the blue
Her voice broke in soft uncomfortable
! laughter. Eagerly he caught at her
hands.
81 will irop the name Flory,"
Rhoda said later; Mrs. James Com
stock vr...l give to the book the proper
J d;r,;ty which II deserves"