Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1889-11-08
ROMANCE OF A STORE.

"A tlny foom behind tiny shop. In
one corner, near the fireplace, an elderly
lady 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 and leaning upon the
IL otel-piece, a girl Of twenty-one or
:w' tall, straight and strong, with
-ace of some beauty, great resolution
and sweet, womanly grace.
Rhoda Lewis was the younger lady,
aad her mother the gentle invalid
"Where are you going, dear? The
snep-bell did not ring" Mrs. Lewis said
is Rhoda moved toward the door.
''To put up the shutters. 1t is nine
o'clock"
They are so heavy" the invalid
sighed
"But I am so strong" the girl an
swered, lightly.
Yet, as she lifted the heavy shutter in
her small, white hands, she was not sorry
to have it taken from her into a strong.
masculine grasp, that quickly adjusted
the shutters, put up the iron bar, shot
the paddock bolt into place, locked it,
and gave the key to Rhoda. Not a word
spoken all this time, but as her cousin,
Frank Lewis, gave her the key Rhoda
said, dumurely and formally:
''Thank you"
Quite as formally, yet with ring of
sarcasm in his voice, that had not
been in hers, he replied:
''You are very welcome.
She stood twisting the key in her
fingers till he said:
"Well?" But if he intended the word
for question, there was no answer.
Rhoda let her hands fall, and looked
straight before her. "Are you not going
to ask me in?" Frank inquired
"No."
Father has been here to-day?'
'EYes -
"Got his rcnt?"
eyes"
"And told you to shut your door on
mel"
eyes"
"'Yes--yes.' Can't you speak, Rhoda?"
''Not now. Some insults are very hard
to 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 moment; then
she went in to her mother, her sweet
face all love and cheerfulness. What
ever her heartache was, it was evidently
not to be added to her mothers burdens.
Frank, left so unceremoniously, gave
vent to his chagrin in Il low whistle.
thrust his hands deep into his overcoat
pocket, and strobe homeward. 1t was a
cheerless windy evening, and chilled, an
gered and miserable, the young man
tossed aside hat and coat in the hall of
his fathers pretentious house, and entered
the parlor. A grand room, richly fur
nished, in sharp contrast to the shabby
little back parlor where Frank had in
tended to pass the next hour.
Mr.. Lewis was seated beside an oper
CRATE, reading the evening newspaper
He did not look up as his son drew up
chair near his own, and said:
''Father, what have you been saying
to-day to Rhoda?"
III gave her to understand that ! die
not want a penniless daughter law"
tFatherw
"You may as well understand the same
j will not encourage such nonsense any
longer You are old enough now to iro,
flirtations, and think seriously of mar
riage."
II won't stand it, cried Frank, hotly
''Won't stand what!"
s,Any interference between Rhoda ant
myself | mean to win Rhoda for M
lwife. and l meant it whea she wore lon