The vidette. (Iuka, Tishomingo County, Miss.) 1912-1967, 1923-03-08
Her WORLD
BY AGNES c. sRoeAN
* n q - = = n n 70 n - s = N " . "a
20. 1929, Western Newspaper Union)


still felt constrained shyness when
in Gwendolen's presence.
"Gwendoleu," Mrs. Wentworth had
said was at one time engaged TO our
John. l fancy that her admiration, II
not her affection, fingers. We are
fond OF Gwendolen," Rhoda's mother
in-law had sighed, as she finished the
confidence.
The young wife gazing whimslcally
into her mirror She was recalling the
the marvel of her meeting with John
at Aunt Tildens weekend party, and
tie later courtship which led to their
hasty marriage
Uncle Brent who lived with her III
the old home that had sheltered him
in her father's time, had welcomed
John Wentworth when he sought
Rhoda herewith an approval the
| shreWd old lawyer was not wont to
give n stranger While both estate
and money were left to Rhoda, her
fathers brother continued, In meas
ure, his guardianship.
All had gone well, and the young
wife, taking up her residence in her
husbands Old family home left Uncle
Brent IN occupant of her fathers
house, with her fathers servants still
| 80 attend his comfort. When she
asked John about his former betrothal
to the Gwendolen OF her mothers
choice, he had smllingly replied that
the engagement had been a youthful
/ thing, almost forgotten.
Rhoda, now in the hall, put out her
I hand TO roll back the door between.
Gwendolen's knocking tone distinctly
reached her.
"Of course, you and l know, my dear
friend" she said, chat john married
simply for money. SO you must make
the best of your sweet-simplicity
Caughter-in-law How is the business
going now? l have not heard, since
.iohn was in such deep water, concern
! ing il. / wish dad might have been
able 30 make loan sufficient to tide
him over his crisis. But, if dad had
had any money at ALL why might be
in the demure Rhodas place today"
The unintentional listener drew
back from the door as though its touch
wounded her fingers.
"Oh the business" she heard her
mother-in-law reply, "is in bad shape
indeed. The reliable business of my
husbands time Competition, Gwen,
competition. John hopes to raise a
large amount of money to tide over,
as You say, this crisis"
"Where," asked GwendOlen abrupt
ly, 'is Rhodas money? Has the
guardian uncle any right to with
hold it?"
Dear me, no." Mrs. Wentworth an
swered irritably, 'but John hesitates,
naturally, so soon after their mar
rage"
Rhoda turned from the door to go
up the stair, to her own luxurious
room, TO think this terrible thing over
She knew that she had now just
$4,000 in her own name. 1t had
seemed a great deal. John had been
distract lately; moodily unlike him
self. And he had loved Gwendolen.
Else would he have confessed to
former engagement with her. Does
Il man ask a woman to marry him
when he does not love? Unless
Rhnda caught her breath-unless he
must marry for some mercenary mo-
tive. To her came suddenly a line
from that great delineator of love
"Thlnketh no evil-believeth all
things" Why, 1t was she who did not
love, for here she was thinking evil
motives of John, believing not in his
avowed love for her.
John was jubilant when, late that
evening, he returned home. His moth
err Nnxiously greeted him with ques-
ton: "You have been successful" she
asked feverishly-"you have been able
to arrange?"
John sank into chair.
ut was marvellous" he said "Ssme
friend, of course it must have been
one of fathers old wealthy friends,
voluntarily went to our lawyer today.
leaving a loan of $4,000. The loan
IS legally arranged, the name of the
donor to be disclosed by our lawyer
tonight. Rather mysterious, but sure,
Langdon says"
The call of the telephone interrupt |
ed. John rushed to the phone. When |
he again came to his mother, his face |
was white. He spoke with difficulty, |
as one trying to grasp a fact
"Rhoda," he said twas the giver of |
that money. She wanted to get away
before we should find out. Rhoda-I
don't understand Where is sheY"
Mrs Wentworth sank weakly into a
chair, the subject of the afternoons
conversation returned to her.
ST do not know" she said.
John did not wait to telephone; he
was on his way TO his wifes former
home. 1t was his wife who met him
at the door. Not mysterious crea-
ture, but a happy, reassuring Rhoda.
IN his eager arms she made smiling
explanation:
'You remember the song we used
to sing John?
My world, my ALL I'd give for thee,
And give it, Oh, SO willingly"
'But." he murmured, "the business
may not be sure investment,
Rhoda"
81 give it, oh, so willingly she
chanted against his shoulder.
Silently they stood. 81 love you,
dear John Wentworth said.
Il knew that Rhoda answered ~