The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1889-10-24
ROMANCE OF A STORE,

ROMANCE OF A STORE,
A tiny room, behind tiny shop In
one corner, near the fireplace, an elderly
lazy in deep, cushioned chair-a lady
whose face bore traces of pain conquered,
suffering overcome, patient, delicate and
refined. Her dress and attitude told the
story of invalidism. Opposite to her,
standing up ard leaning upon thc
mantel-piece, a girl of twenty-one or
two; tall, straight and strong, with a
face oi some beauty, great resolution,
and sweet, womanly grace.
Rhoda Lewis was the younger lady,
and her mother the gentle invalid.
"Whcrc arc you going, dcarl The
shcp-bcll did not ring" Mrs. Lewis said
as Rhoda moved toward the door
"To put up the shutters. 1t is nine
o'clock"
They are so heavy" the invalid
sighed.
''But | am so strong" the girl an
swered, lightly.
Yet. rs she lifted thc heavy shutter in
her small, white hands, she was not sorry
To have it taken from her into q strong,
masculine grasp, that quickly adjusted
the shutters, put up the iron bar, shot
the paddock bolt iuto place. locked il,
and gave the key to Rhoda. Not word
spoken all this time, but as her cousin,
FranS Lewis, gave her tho key, Rhoda
said, dumurcly and formally:
Thank you"
Quite as formally, yet with u ring of
sarcasm in his voice, that had not
been in hers, he replied;
"Iou are very welcome"
She stood twisting the key in her
fingers till ne said
"Wcll!' But if he intended the word
for question, there was no answer.
Rhoda let her hands fall, and looked
straight before her. "Arc you not going
to ask me in!" Frank inquired.
"No."
"Father has been here to-dayl'
yes"
"Got his rcntl"
"lcS."
And told you to shut your door on
uc?"
eyes"
"Ncs--ycs.' Can't youspeak, Rhodal'
"Not now. Some insults are very hard
20 bear; your fathers was one of them"
She slipped in at the store door as she
spoke, and fastened it quickly. She was
in total darkness, having closed the door
Of the inner room as she left it. For a
moment she stood leaning heavily upon
the counter, trembling violently, with
The quick breathing that tells of sup
pressed tears. Only for u moment; then
She went in to her mother, her sweet
face al love and chccrfuncss. What
ever her heariachc was, it was evidently
not 10 he added to hcc mothers burdens.
Frank, left so uncercmoniously, gave
vent to his chagrin in low whistle,
thrust his hands deep into his ovcrcoat
pocket, and strobe homoward. 1t was II
cherries windy evening, and chilled, an
gcred and miserable, the young man
ioSSed aside hat and coat in the hall of
his fathers prctentious house, and entered
the parlor. \ grand room, richly fur
nished, in sharp contrast to the shabby
little back parlor where Frank had in
ended to pass the next hour.
Mr.. Lewis was seated beside an open
CRATE, reading the evening newspaper
He did not look up as his son drew up II
chair near his own. aud said
FEATHER, what have YOU been saying
Today to Rhodal"
Il gave her to understand that / did
,ot want penniless daughter law"
Father
"lCu may as well understand the same.
, will not encourage such nonsense any
ongcr. You are old enough now to drop
lirtations, and think seriously of mar
iage."
II won't stand it," cried Frank, ho,ly.
"Won't stand whatl'
"Any interference between Rhoda and
myself | mean TO win Rhoda for my
wife; and meant il when she wore long
orads and short dresses; when she lived
N n house rs grand as this one"
"All very well then. Matters are
liffercnt now"
There is no difference ii my love FOR
| Rhoda."
"A pauper! The daughter of 4 bank,
upt who committed sucidc!n
"Your brothcrw
"Well, what of that! He never asked
ne to help him, or" was the harsl
5oice husky? Frank wondered-"I might
lave been idiot enough to do it,"
"lt was pity he could not know that
Father" in a softcnod tone, "don't stant
| between Rhoda and me l won't Civ,
ner up, but you make her hard to win
She is as proud to-day as she was whei
ler Garage drove up to our door, and sh'
brought you fruit from her hot-house
No, | am wrong! She was not proud
;hen, Heaven bless herl but she is now!'
"Beggars have no right TO be proud
won't have i'll DO you understand
If you persist in this folly, you may sui
Yourself TO the situation, for your allow
ince stops; stops. understand, the da!
you propose to your cousin Rhoda. Yo,
Fan find home and an income else
| where"
~ don't mind that threat, but should
be very unhappy if l left you alone
father"
"Don't do it, then"
| IIIl,t ,,,;l .,, l;fa ,,t@n.I,