The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-02-28


best"
Il ain't arguing it amt all for the
best. was saying it was a little
ionely-that's all"
Mrs. Free pulled the big wooden
rocking-chair up nearer the stove,
which was sending a warm glow
into the room, and took up the soft
white wool which she was to trans
form into zone of those shoulder
things" for Rhoda-Rhoda would need
such things now that she was in the
city.
But instead of beginning her work
she turned little in her chair and
looked out at the broad eXpanse OF
white. The hills were all cold and
shining, and more snow was even now
flying in the air. Winter had come in
earnest.
''Of course, mother" said the old
farmer, with a quiet, kindly sort of hui
NOR in his voice, "you amt ever lone
rome"
when | do get lonesome, pa" she
said, picking up her work, II just keep
thinking how it's all for the best-and
that's consoling."
John Free walked over to the win
dow. "1f Rhoda was home now and
was teaching the school, I'd just about
be putting Nellie to the cutter Rhoda
never did much walking over bad
roads when | was round"
and Rhoda appreciated it, pa" said
Mrs. Free, after pause in which she
had been silently counting stitches.
"Rhoda was the best teacher they
ever had round here" And then, as
his wife was still counting stitches and
did not answer, he continued, half-ag-
gressively, Everybody says that"
n-ffteen-sixteen You
never heard me say, pa Rhoda wasn't
good teacher. All said was a girl
who could sing like Rhoda had no
business teaching the Hickory Grove
school-or any other, for that matter
Brother Williams says there amt
the same inspiration in his preaching
now that Rhodas left the choir; and
will say his voice sank TO the tone
of one making confession, that
while | go to church to worship the
Lord, the worshipping was little
well, little more pleasant like, I
might say, when Rhoda was there. y
more than one has said that" re-
marked Mrs. Free, complaCently.
Il never saw anything to beat the
way this whole community leaned on
Rhoda! Twas Rhoda this-and Rho
da that! Nothing from a barn-raising
to funeral could go on without her,
They can't ever say our Rhoda was
stingy with her singing mother"
Il guess our Rhoda wouldn't be her
pas daughter If she was stingy with
anything" said Mrs. Free, quietly.
She had a way of saying these
things when least expected and they
never failed to be disconcerting. Now
wasn't counting on that having any
thing to Go with it," he said awkward
ly.
Mother" he went on, after listen
ing patiently to "thirteen-fourteen-
fifteen-sixteen," "shall you ever for
get how she sang Lead Kindly Light
at Tim Powers funeral? Seems like
OF all the times | ever heard her, that
was the most moving"
The soft wool fell to Mrs. Frees lap.
"Rhoda's so sympathetic" she said,
softly.
John Free chuclled. Pears to me
she wouldn't be her mothers daughter
if she wasn't some sympathetic
'Fourteen-ffteen-
was the only response.
''S'pose might as well be about the
chores. Does seem like this winter
was going to be mighty long"
Now, pa, don't be so restless-four-
-siXteen-there.- that's
wrong"
He stood by the window, putting on
his heavy coat Looks like Fred Bar
rett's cutter coming" he remarked.
''If Rhoda was home it wouldn't be
hard to guess where he was making
Tor" remarked Mrs. Free
Coming long pretty brisk. Cold
nut, reckon. He's got some one in
with him-and tain't man. Moth
sr," he cried, excitedly, after a mo-
ment, Fired Barrett's opening the
gate, Mother" he added in choked
voice, come here!"
She stood beside him at the window,
and he pointed down to the gate.
What do you Think" he gasped.
The womans face grew strangely
white. 'It's-it's-it can't be-'tis--"
"Rhoda!"
They stood there in a daze, and then
two pairs of hands were fumbling at
the knob.
How Rhoda got out Of the sleigh,
who carried in the valise, how Fred
Barrett got away without being so
much as asked in, they never quite
knew 1t was all strange whirl, and
then the door was shut, the sligh-bells
died away, and Rhoda, after one
strange, frightened look round the old
room, threw herself into her mothers
arms-hat, snowy coat and all; and
there burst from her the wild, uncon-
trollable sobs which follow long, bit