The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1922-03-18
THE RETURN OF RHODA.

Seems little lonely at times,
MOTHER"
Now, pa, you know, it's ah for the
best" NH
Il amt arguing it amt for, the best.
was saying it was a little lonely
that's all.
Mrs. Free pulled the big wooden
rocking chair MP nearer the stove.
which was sending warm glow
through the old-fashioned sitting
room, and took up the soft white
wool which she was to transform into
"one of those shoulder things" for
Rhoda-Rhoda would need such
things now that she was in the city.
"Of course, MOTHER said the old
farmer. with q quiet, kindly sort of
humor in his voice, you amt never
lonesome"
when do get lonesome, pa she
said, picking up her work, Il just keep
thinking how it's all for the best
and that's consoling.''
"Rhoda was the best teacher they
ever had around here And then,
as his good wife was still counting
stitches and did not answer, he con.
tinued, half aggressively: Everybody
says that" ),
Fourteen. fifteen, sixteen. You
never heard me say, pa, Rhoda wasn't
a 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. mat
ter"
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 Tom Powers funeral? Seems like
of all times heard her, that was the
most moving
Then after a pause, putting on his
coat, he said: Il must be stirring"
He stood by the window, putting on
his heavy coat. Looks like Fred
Barrett's cutter coming" he remark.
ed.
IF Rhoda was home it wouldn't be
hard to guess where he was making
for" remarked Mrs. Free.
Coming long pretty brisk. Cold
out, | reckon. He's got some one in
with him and tain a man. Moth.
err" he cried. excitedly, after mo-
ineilt, Fred Barrett's opening the
gate! Mother" he added, in a chok.
ed voice, come here!"
She stood beside him at the win.
dow and he pointed down to the gate
| What do you .think?" he gasped
The wonnan's face grew strangely
white. ''It's-it's-it can't belts
Rhoda.'
They stood there in daze, and
then two pairs of hands were FUN
bling at the knob.
How Rhoda got Of the sleigh
who carried in the valise, how Fred
Barrett got away without being sc
much as asked in, they never quite
knew. 1t was all a strange whirl
and then the door was shut, the
sleigh bells died away. and Rhoda
after one strange, frightened look
around the old room, threw herself
in her mothers arms-hat, snowy
coat and all-and there burst from
her the wild, uncomfortable sobs
which follow a long, bitter strain.
The mother stood holding her in
utter silence-she was a mother. and
she knew what was. best. : But wher
John Free could bear it no longer, he
lput hand on the girls shoulder. and
said, brokenly, his own rugged face
| wet with tears: "Rhoda., girl, you're
home now. No matter what's happen
| ed, it's all right now"
! She raised her head then and grasp
| ed her fathers hand. 1T was mis-
take. she moaned, piteously, "a mis-
itake!"
"Now, what's mistake" said Johr
Free. Il just want. to know
Mother cried the girl, her voice
still thick with sobs, its gone, moth
err! lob, I-can't sing!" She sanl
into a chair, her head fell to table
and sobs such as the old room never
heard before crowded upon one an
other in hot, passionate. succession.
Something happened to your voice
Rhoda 2" asked the old farmer, timid
| ly. /.
She grew more quiet then. "Oh, no
pa she said, nothing happened t
4