The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-04-22
WAITING FOR JOEL
BY MoLLIE MATHER.
9S9eSg99ee9ee SeSeSeSe9g9eSeSe
20. 1891. Western Newspaper union.)

CarterSyille, met joel. Joel was I'm
portantly descended, rejoicing In the
fact of a banker grandfather and faith
er. The bankers residence was the
finest one in Cartersville, and though
Joel had fallen off from the greatness
of his fathers, he was still looked up
to as Garter" Was not the town
named for his people2
So the shy Rhoda was overwhelmed
by his prompt attention. Joel was
unfailingly attentive to newly arrived
young women in Gainesville, but
Rhoda could not know that. Z
The girl was pretty enough they
said, but how she could hold Joel was
more than they could imagine.
There was grandfather to be taken
care of, and grandfather, the girls
only remaining relative, was the rea-
son Of their removal to the country.
City expenses proved too onerous for
grandfather Reynolds shrinking
purse, so to the cheap-rented village
cottage the two went to spend his last
days. The town was startled by pos
tive news Of Joel's engagement. He
had plighted his troth to the quiet lit
tie girl of serious eyes, and the two
would be married-when grandfather
Reynolds passed on to his reward, so
Joel carelessly informed them. The
old man was in his eighties and grow
ing more frall each day Rhoda was
kept too busy to become acquainted
with neighbors; what time grandfath-
er did not need her, she spent playing
for Joel on her piano, or reading to
him out beneath the apple trees. Joel
loved to be read aloud to, he could
lie back then lazily adniring Rhoda
as she read. When she endeavored
to spur him on to law study, Joel
would bring bulky volumes over for
her perusal. Rhoda was apt at quiz
zing, and taking notes. Her friend
ship with Mrs. Aimsworthy began in
accidental fashion. Mrs. Aimsworthy,
passing Rhoda's garden, admired a
vein-leafed plant, and the girl prom
ised to take u slip OF the same to her
Joel smiled when she told him of her
errand.
Queer old soul that" he remarked,
strict and eXacting as her departed
husband. David Aimswortlty was a
forbiddDg old preacher, merclessly
laying down the law. And he rigor-
ously lived up to his teachings; but
poor young Dave was given no quar-
ter. Dave was his only son. SO when
he unexpectedly married gay young
woman in the adjoining city, his faith.
er and mother promptly disowned him.
But Rhoda made her visit and
strange enough between the two wide
Indifferent natures, grew a bond of
true affection. When Rhoda was re-
leased at last from the burden which
had never seemed to her burden,
she looked back over the years in
dazed wonderment; she had not real
lied that her service had been so long.
Joel with his carefree trips here and
there, had known no irksomeness in
waiting. Rhoda in her sorrow was
not concerned with the question of
her future. Was not Joel here to
care for her and to comfort? Her
lover sighed reslgnedly. Just half of
our problem has been. solved, dear
est" he said.
There is still my mother, you know,
to be cared for That is my charge.
would never ask you to take on
second slavery. Mother is exacting.
Old Ann attends to her needs fairly
well, but | couldn't have mother in
sisting on your constant companion
ship. So You will still wait for
me, RhOda?"
When old Mrs. Almsworthy's sharp
questions brought forth this infOrma-
ton, she made suggestion which
was command.
You shall make your home with
me, Rhoda Reynolds" she said. II
guess can value faithfulness as well
as Joel Carter" So Rhoda continued
In unseltish devotion. When David
returned all unexpected
~ one summer evening to the old
home, Rhoda was trembingIy fear
full of the effect his presence might
have upon her charge.
"Your mother has never mentioned
your name" she told the fine look
ing, prosperous man.
II know" David answered gravely.
4 have friends here who have kept
me Informed of both mothers atti-
tude and her condition"
His eyes lighted with kindly in
terest as they searched the woman's
sweet face.
"When they wrote of your attach
nent to my disappointed old mother,
Il was, like load lifted from my
heart. You are just" he spoke
absently, as | expected you to be. |
And I want you to know that mother
was right in her judgment Of that
poor girl whom married. We were
neither meant for the other. ! tried |
70 be good to my wife, and now that
she is gone, wish to forget the sad
of years"
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