$ RHODA'S j ►> ►! ► SECRET |j p P » I K By SYLVJA CHESTER 112. ►: ti "I wish Rhoda had never come to Dering," Mrs. Derlng said, after a moment's pause. There was a bitterness In the tone that startled Molly. She got up and crossed over to her mother's side. "Mother, it could never have been. I should never have married Adrian. Don't think that Rhoda has crossed your will in this. I could never have married Adrian." "She has supplanted you with your aunt," Mrs. Dering went on in the same bitter tone. "I am sure she has made a new will In Rhoda's favor. That money ought to be yours." "But why? Rhoda is her niece too; and she did leave it to me until I teased her so unkindly. Rhoda has known how to be truthful to her and yet win her love. I shall be very glad if Rhoda has the money!" "You are a child, n silly child! You know nothing of the value of mon ey! Molly. I wanted you to live here when your father and I are gone; but it is Rhoda who will be mistress here!" "And what a charming mistress of Dering she will make! You will like it when you are used to the idea, mother, and you would rather 1 was happy than rich. You want your lit tle Molly to be happy?" "You do not understand, Molly," was Mrs. Dering's impatient answer. She got up, stumbling over the dog, who had curled himself up in a cor ner of Molly's gown. "That dog's right place Is in the stables!" she said sharply. "My BUI in the stables, mother?" cried Molly, with a look of mock dis tress. "Then I must live In the sta bles, too; I cannot be parted from him!" Mrs. Dering could not resist smil ing; but the smile instantly gave way to a heavy frown. "Rhoda will be with her aunt all day,l suppose?" "Adrian is coming down this af ternoon." "He is sure to spend most of the time in Mlllicent's room. We are outsiders, now, Molly." "Well, I am glad to be an out sider, so far as Mlllicent's room is concerned," said Molly, with a little laugh. "Even Ithoda cannot con vert her to the extent of having fresh air In her room. Poor Aunt Mllll cent! Do you think she Is really very ill, mother?" "I am afraid so. The doctors speak very seriously about her heart. There will bo no time for —" Mrs. Dering stopped. She was going to say, "No time for this infatuation for Rhoda to wear out;" but she could not goon with Molly's Innocent eyes upon her. "I must go and write my letters," Bhe said, shortly. Rhoda found her aunt lying on the couch. She was looking very ill now, and her breathing was short and painful. After a little conver sation, Miss Doling took up a let ter. "I have heard from Adrian this morning, Rhoda." "Yes?" "You know he is coming to-day to stay for a few hours?" "Molly told me so this morning," said Rhoda, without looking at her aunt. "He Is coming to speak to you again, Rhoda," Mrs. Dering went on. "He would not take your answer last week. You promised me to re consider that answer. He writes to me to-day to say that he must know his fate now that you have had time enough for consideration, and that he has a right to a final answer." "That is quite true," said Rhoda, i low tone. "I wanted to give a final answer last week." 'But we wero too wise to allow you. Rhoda, I do not understand you. Look at me, child!" Rhoda turned her eyes upon her aunt and met the eager glance of Miss Dering's haggard dark eyes; then her own eyes drooped. Her aunt laid her hand upon her arm. "Rhoda, you love him! Ah, do not tell me that you do not, for I have read the truth in your eyes!" "Aunt, I cannot marry him!" fal tered Rhoda. "Why?" "Do not ask me why. I cannot marry him!" Miss Derlng looked steadily at her niece for some moments. "Rhoda, I think I know the rea son." "Ah, no, aunt!" "Yes, I think I know. You think of your father, and you are unwill ing that Adrian should have to be ashamed of your father. But Adrian and I have talked of this." "You have talked of my father?" "Yes, that was Inevitable. Adrian was very explicit about it. He said that, if you had lived with your father, It would have been different. In that case his duty might have been to put you out of his heart; but you and your father are entirely separated. He will be kind and gen erous to your father, Rhoda. Adrian is Just in all things." "He is very hard to sinners," said Rhoda, faintly. "YOB —Adrian Is hard in some ways, but he Is very Just." Rhoda rose from her seat and walked, to the window. Her aunt's eyes followed her. "Rhoda, listen to me," she said, steadily. "I have left all my money to you." Rhoda started and turned round; her aunt raised her hand. "Do not speak; listen to me. It Is easy to destroy a will. Vou must ac cept A'drlan to-day, or I shall de stroy that will. I shall make a new one and leave all my money to Mrs. Derlng!' "You are trying to bribe mel" cried Rhoda, her face flushing and growing deathly pale. She left the window and stood opposite to her aunt. "I am trying to make you choose your own happiness. I don't pre tend to understand you, Rhoda; but I will not let you cast away your life's best chance."' Rhoda stood silent. There was a terrible struggle In her heart. Sud denly she sank down at her aunt's feet and took her hands In hers. "Aunt Mlllllcent, let mo tell you—" 1 But she stopped. The peculiar paleness which accompanied the heart attacks, which were growing more frequent dally, came over Miss Dering's face. "Call Stanton!" Miss Derlng said hoarsely. Rhoda hastily called the maid, and together they administered the remedies the doctor had ordered. Slowly the color came back Into Miss Derlug's face. The danger was over for the time. Stanton went away, and Rhoda sat down and put her hand Into her aunt's. "You will dc what I want?" Miss Derlng whispered, holding the girl's hand fast. "You will be good to me, Rhoda, and let me die happy In the thought of your future." Ithoda bent and kissed her. "I will give Adrian my answer this afternoon,' she said, softly. "Tell me now what your answer will be." "Dear aunt, let me wait till this afternoon. I cannot tell you now." And with this Miss Derlng was forced to be content. Adrian was not coming until late In the afternoon. After luncheon. Miss Derlng sent Ithoda for a walk. When the girl came downstairs, she found Mrs. Derlng in the hall. "Where Is Molly, Aunt Agnes?" she said, pleasantly. "Out with her father," was Mrs. Dering's short answer. Rhoda crossed the hall to the door, but lier aunt called her back. "Come here, Ithoda; 1 want to speak to you." Mrs. Derlng was sitting in one of great carved oak chairs that stood by the marble hearth, ithoda came and leaned against the carved man telpiece. She was looking very pale and grave, and there was indications of recently shed tears. Mrs. Derlng looked at her with a hard cold glance. "Look round this hall, Rhoda, and tell me how it strikes you." Rhoda glanced round the stately hall. The paneled walls were cov ered with old armor, and there were one or two of the finest portraits there. In the glorious arched roof were stained glass windows, and the colored light foil upon the marble floor and illumined the beautiful tapestry hanging before the doors and the oak cabinets filled with costly china. "It is very beautiful," Rhoda said gravely. "The Derlngs have held this house for more than five centuries," said Mrs. Derlng, in a cold tone. "The annals of our race are filled with no ble deeds of noble men and women. Do you think that you are worthy to be mistress here?" Rhoda's dark face flushed at the cruel words. "Do you mean to insult me. Aunt Agnes?" "I mean to tell you the truth. Since you have entered these doors, you have been spoiled by adulutlon and flattery; but I will speak the truth to you." "Goon," said Rhoda. She clenched her hands, and her very lips grow pale with the effort to be calm. "Your father Is a disgrace to his name," said Mrs. Derlng, In slow measured tones. "You were edu cated by charity in the convent. You were asked here out of pity be cause your uncle did not wish you to live with your father or to become a governess. And how have you re warded his kindness? You have schemed to get your aunt's fortune. You have schemed to get Adrian's love. You think you are successful in both, but be not too sure. Your aunt is still living and Adrian has not proposed to you yet." Mrs. Dering stopped. The pale set look cn Rhoda'B face checked her violent words. "Have you finished?" said Rhoda slowly. "Yes —I have finished. Think over what I have said. Ask yourself If you are fit mistress for Derlng be fore you try any more to win that position." "Then listen to me for one mo ment, Aunt Agnes. I have not schemed; Aunt Mlllicent's love was frfeely given to me. But you are wrong In one point. Adrian asked me to bo his wife last week." "And you refused him? I do not believe it." "He will ask me again to-day," said Rhoda, with a passionate thrill In her voice. "To-day I shall ac cept him." Mrs. Dering rose and was about to Bpeak, when Molly's voice sound ed without; she was making some laughing remark to her father. The next moment they entered. "Oh, you foolish, foolish people!" STled JWoUi. "Jt t»_S2 lovsli put-ol doors! (Jo out ar once, RHoifa; T will go with you." "No, dear, no!" Bald Rhoda hur riedly. She hastily passed Molly and went out Into the afternoon sun shine. "What Is the matter with Rhoda?" said Molly wonderlngly. "I am afraid aunt Milllcent must be worse." Mrs. Derlng made some Blight re mark and left the hall. Molly turned to her father and ralßed her pretty eyebrows. "Quarreling, dad?" "I am afraid so," he said, shaking his head. Molly danced up tc him and put her arms within his. "Mother will become resigned to It when Jack comes home; Jacl' al ways makes her see things in the right light. And it is all so very lucky; I should not like Adrian to marry out of the family.' "You little puss, why didn't you fall In love with him and please your mother?' "Because Adrian didn't fall In love with me," returned Molly promptly. "If he had, there would have been no chance for any one else." "Not for Jack?" said her father teasingly. Molly shook her head. "Not even for Jack! Adrian you see, would have insisted on my marrying him, and I should have had to do it! How thankful we all ought to be!" • •••••• Molly was standing on the ter race steps with her dog in her arms when Adrian drove up from the sta tion. He handed the reins to the groom and ran up the steps to her. She nodded brightly to him. "Father is in the library," she said, with a teasing look. "He wants to consult you about the new Act in relation to trespassers." "I cannot stay very long," said Adrian hesitatingly; "I must be back in the House for a division to night." "Oh, it won't take long to discuss the matter—only an hour or two! You can stay as long as that, I am Bure!' "Yes, but —" Molly looked at him with the ready laughter in her eyes. "I won't tease you any morer," she said. "You will find Khoda In the lime walk, Adrian. Now, what will you give me for that bit of informa tion?" He took her hand and raised it to his lips. "Wish me good luck, my little cousin," he said gently. Molly looked at him with a very tender expression in her eyes. "I will do better ihan that- -I wjll promise it to you," she said; "you shall have your heart's desire." Adrian's face became bright with happiness. "Are you sure, Molly?" he said, with a tremor in his strong voice. "Go and ask Ithoda," was all the answer Molly would give him. She ran away from him down the steps, and he hurried towards the lime walk. The grave, stern, cold man had never loved before. Absorbed in In tellectual pursuits and in his parlia mentary work, he had left love out of his life, and a few mouths before had looked forward to a quiet happy marriage with his cousin Molly, for whom he felt a calm affection. Now he had learned to love Khoda with all the passionate adoration, the in tense reverence of a man's ilrst love. His face flushed as he caught sight of her in the lime walk. She was sitting on one of the low seats un der the trees, absorbed iu thought. He approached very gently, and it was not until he said, "Khoda" that she knew he was near. She started up and moved as if to leave him; but he stepped forward and caught her hand. "You must listen to me," he said. "Come, sit down again, and let me speak quietly to you." Khoda looked at him with a strange wild expression on her face, then sat down. Adrian sat down be side her, holding her hand close clasped in his. "Dear Rhoda, I would not take your answer last week; give it to me now. I will bo satisfied with so very little. Only tell me that you will try to love me, and that will make me quite happy." The girl did not speak for a mo ment; then she turned and looked at her cousin. "You should have taken my an swer last week, Adrian. It would have been happier for you." "There is no happiness for me but the happiness of your love," he said gravely. "If you refuse me, Rhoda, life will have ended for me, as far as happiness is concerned." He took both her hands in his strong clasp and looked longingly, en treatingly at her. "You will not re fuse me this time? Rhoda, I feel BO sure that I can make you love me, even if you do not love me already. Promise to try to love me." She allowed her hands to rest in his clasp and raised her eyes to meet his adoring glance. "I will try," she Hald faintly. Adrian put his arm quickly around her and bent and kissed her. "You love me now," he whis peered; "I know you love me, Rhoda." He kissed her Hps again and drew her closer to hlxn; but she grew BO pale and trembled so much that he was frightened at her look. "I have been too hasty," he said remorsefully. "1 have startled you." "Let us go back to the house," she aald, getting up. He roae and drew hex_h».od wiihln ltfs arm. "You are not angry with we, Rhoda?" he said humbly. She shook her head. "I love you so dearly," he whis pered; "I had to tell you so. Give me a kind look, Rhoda." The girl tried to smile at him, but the smile died on her lips. "Adrian, be patient with me," she Mid. "Come to Aunt MilJicent.V was his answer. "You know she has set her heart on this; and we must tell Aunt Agnes and Uncle George. Molly knows already. She sent me to you, Rhoda, with a prophecy of my good fortune." Talking thus, he led her into the house. Mr. Dering was Btill in the hall. Adrian took Rhoda proudly up to him. "Uncle George, Rhoda has prom ised to be my wife," he said. Mr. Dering looked at them very kindly. "You make a handsome pair," he Bald, with a smile. "I am very glad of It, Adrian, my boy." Rhoda drew her hand from Adrian's and slipped away togo to her own room; but Molly, who was waiting for her in the corridor, drew her into her own little sitting-room. "Well, Rhoda?' she suld, with an arch look. "Well, Molly?" "It's all right, lsrTt it, Rhoda?"— wondering at her cousin's haggard face. "Quite right!" replied Rhoda, with a mirthless laugh. "I am en gaged to Adrian." "I am so glad," Molly said, with a warm kiss. Hut the look on Rho de's startled her. "You are happy, are you not, Rho da?" she said anxiously. "You love Adrian?" "Yes, I love him," answered Rho da. She paused a moment and then ! added, "It would bo easier If I did , not." Molly drew back. "What do you mean, Rhoda?" "Never mind, little Molly," said Rhoda, recovering her self-posses sion by a violent effort. "'I shall be a good wife to Adrian. I shall de vote my life to him." Molly still looked at her wonder lngly. "I want you to be happy, Rhoda. But you look so sad still." "I must learn to smile like you, Molly. But I have never been happy before, you know, and it is difficult to learn what happiness looks like." j She hurried away to the door. "I must goto Aunt Milllcent," she ' said. She went to her anut's room. Adrian was there. "I was going to send Stanton for you, you naughty girl," said Aunt Milllcent gaily. "Come here, my darling, and let me kiss you." She put her arms round Rhoda and kissed her fondly. Then she put her gently back and smoothed her hair. "You must teach her to laugh, Adrian —show her how to look hap py. I think you will bo an excellent teacher; you have learned the lesson bo well yourself." Adrian looked radiantly happy as he Btood looking down at Rhoda. "Do you know what Adrian has been saying to me, Rhoda?" her aunt went on."He wants what I want so much, dear. —an early marriage." "Don't let us talk about that to day," Bald Rhoda, quickly. "I must," replied Miss Dering. "Rhoda, I have not long to live; you know that as well as I do. Let me have this bit of happiness before I go; let me see you Adrian's wife!" "Rhoda, I would not hurry you," said Adrian quickly; "but you must know how I want you! Let Ai.nt Milllcent talk to you. Do not refuse to listen to her." "I will listen to her," Rhoda an swered gently; "but not now. Do not let us talk about It now." "Have you seen Agnes?' said Miss Dering, with a look of malicious tri umph. "Does she seem pleased, Adrian?" Adrian did not return Miss Der lng's smile. ITo Be Continued.) Pen and Paper. "Paper," whether of rags or of wood pulp, still takes its name from the papyrus. A "book" Is the beech, the wooden rod on which our fore fathers cut their runic letters. 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