Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1892-03-10
RHODA'S CHOICE.
BY EMMA A. OPPER.

AA"S w s'F''~' ~
Mr.. Olmsted? ?
You haye not given me fair reason.
You have gwen me none at all 7 George
Olmsted cried, with all the holiness Of
youth and wounded loye.
Il can 60 over it once more, then,
Rhodu answered, striving to keep steady
her soft voice-'for | don't want to Of
fend you, Mr.. Olmsted-oh, you know
hat But I cannot marry you. Me a
PLAIN country girl, without money or
position or advantages Of any kinda
district school teacher, and the daughter
Of Il farmer And you, city man, with
with all that lack ard more-with
family who would be Mortified at your
choice. If they knew it. 1t has been
mistake, Mr.. Olmsted, said Rhoda,
braveIy-'our having had SO much to do
with the boar,ler rs here this SUMNER
and the rest of the Eastha.npton girls.
It's been nice, going to the dances and
picnlcs and all, and having good times
with all of you And you have been
very-very kind Bnt'-she ended with
a sort of desperate ferceness, for her
heart was throbbing dangerously but
| would rot do yon the injustice to mar
ry you, 1t would be IA failure. You
would not be happy with me back in
your city home among Your home
fllcnds. You would be ashamed of
me !!
Ashamed V
George Olmsted turned upon her a
looS--u stare Of amazement and hunt
feeling and indignation which it seem
ed to Rhuda she would never forget,
truthful though she believed her words
to have been.
You will marry that fellow, Steele
Owen Steele Shall you: her lover said ,
his voice hoarsenei
He asked me- Rhoda answered, let
ting her ewes rest on the face which had
grown dear to her for would 1t not be
the last time? 'And think-yes, |
can foresee that shall marry him !
Don't you see how much Letter suited
we should be, Mr.. Oimsted? We are
Of the same sort. He would neve be
ashamed.
She had not meant to repeat the
taunt which had so hurt him. She
looked up at him rather pitlfuIly.
Good by she said, with tears in hel
eyes and her voice-'good- by.
They were standing in the doorway
Of her little school house, for the East,
hampton sci DOL directors had decided
upon beginning the fall term IN August
and RhoIa had been teaching for Il
week.
'Good-by. she SAID, for Il third time,
falterirgly, and locked her door and
turned away from the pale faced young
man. doing everything mechanically.
and conscious OF an odd, uazed feeling
that her life-her life-was over and
done with now and left HIM motionless
standing there.
She found her mother in the kitchen
and busting about in the service Of a
middle aged woman half lying on the
settee, her calico dress fallen IN limp
folds and her checked sun. bonnet laid
aside.
Why, it's Mrs. petcrman + said
Rhoda, with kind interest, her saddened
young face warming sympatheticaly
Yes, it's Mrs. Peterman. with one Of
her aN full sick headacLes, said her
mother, hurrying with the camphor and
ammonia and hot water all at once.
Here she's come clear over here four
miles It's to her house, you know, with
the incest black berries I've seen for
years, | was gong to say bushel or
more, and fine ones--and the sun has
set her head to aching so she can't see
hardly, and she ism fit TO stir | want
her to give 1t up, and just rest here all
night She De welcome.'
You re awful goou = said Mrs. Pc
ternan, family; and would, Mis-
Merritt, if 'twan't for them berries.
can t let EN- 90 to waste and not git a
cent for 'em. The children an me
worked most all yesterday Citing EN-
and we need the money. Sakes alive
| don't know what l be going to do.
said Mrs. Peterman, all but tearful)y
tapping the floor with her worn old
shoe, while she pressed her aching head
with her stained hands.
You wanted to peddle them all
through here, suppose?' said Rhoda
with her quick sympathy.
I was calculating to-yes.'
How much do you sell them for?'
The most | can git said Mrs. Pc
terman, too miserable to look up
| rNhav ro tho host