The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1889-10-30
RoMANoE OF 4 NToRIs.

of pain conquered, suffering over
com patient, delicate and refined.
Her dress and attitude told the
story Of invalidism Opposite to
her, Standing up and leaning upon
the antel-piece, girl of twenty
one cr two; tall, straight and strong,
with a face of some beauty, great
resolution, and sweet, womanly
grace
Rhoda Lewis was the younger
lady and her mother the gentle in
valid
v here are you going, dear The.
shop eII. did not ring, Mrs. Lewis
said Rhoda moved toward the
door
@Ta put up the shutters. It is
nine o'clock.
arcs lIeassst Z The invalid
sighed.
"But am SO strong the girl an
swered, lightly.
Yet, as she lifted the heavy shut
ter in her small, white hands, she
was not sorry to have it taken from
her into strong, masculine grasp,
that quickly adjusted the shutters,
put up the iron bar, shot the pad
lock 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, demurely and
formally:
"ThanlS yon."
Quite as formally, yet with ring
of sarcasm in his voice, that had not
been in hers, he replied:
"Yon are very welcome
She stood twisting the key in her
fingers till he said;
"Well?" But if he intended the
word for aquestion, 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?"
aYes.p
"Got his rent?"
eyes"
@And told you to shut your door
on me22
eyes.
4Yss-yes. cnn't you speak,
Rhoda?g
"Not now. Some insults are very
hard to bear; Your fathers was ono
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 moment she stood
leaning heavily upon the counter,
trembling violently, with the quick
breathing that tells of suppressed
tears. Only for a moment; then
she went in to her mother, her
sweet face all love and cheerfulness.
Whatever her heartache was, it was
evidently not to be added to her
mothers burdens.
Frank, left SO unceremoniously, y,
gave vent to his chagrin in low
whistle, thrust his hands deep into
his overcoat pocket, and strobe
homeward. 1t was u cheerless
windy evening, and chilled, angered
and miserable, the young man toss
ed aside hat and coat in the hall of
his fathers pretentious house, and
entered the parlor. A grand room,
richly furnished, in sharp contrast
to the shabby little back parlor
where Frank had intended 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 chair near his
own, and said:
Father, what have you been say
ing to-day to Rhoda2"
"I gave her to understand that
did not want penniless daughter
in-law."
aFatherI''
sYou may as we'll understand the
same. 1 will not encourage such
nonsense any longer. You are old
enough to drop fiirtations, and think
seriously of marriage
al won't stand it, cried Frank
hotly.
sWon't stand what?"
"Any interference between Rhoda
and myself 1 mean to win Rhoda
for my wife; and 1 meant it when
she wore long braids and short
dresses; when she lived in house
as grand as this one.
Cali very well then. Matters are
different NOW >,