Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1876-05-05
RACHEL MOFFATT's SHADOW.

Reuben MOftatt and heZla his
wife received triplet of white we'd
ding cards from the hands of their
daughter Rachel, and fell into se-
rious chat over the bits of cardboard.
George Reynolds, the groom, was
discussed with positive knowledge,
gained by acquaintance with him
from boyhood. Kate Maurice, the
bride, was discussed with the specu-
latiYe knowledge that characterizes
remarks concerning stranger brides.
Rachel Moffatt had left the room
while George Reynolds was under
discussion, and her mother's careful
eve had observed that there was
surprise, anger, and almost tears in
the girls face.
say, Reuben, began the good
mans wife, after Rachel had gone.
Yes, assented Reuben Moffatt,
signjfying his readiness to hear what
his wife had to say.
/ want to call your attention to
our daughter Rachel.
You incident call very loud, was
Reuben Moffat's answer. My atten-
tion goes a good deal that way nat
nrally.
80 be sure, answered Kezia Mof-
fatt, How could it be otherwise,
snd you the father of such a girl as
oaf Rachel. L am sure ! wonder
that a young man like George Rey-
BcIds should look farther than such
trim, handsome girl as our Rachel
is. and he knows all about her house
keeping, too.
Look farther and fare Wa Fse, is an
old pfoverb, you know, rejoined
Reuben Moffatt. ''
l~And it's my opinion he's done
worse, and deserves to do worse,
Said Kezia Moffatt, with anger
IN her tones. am sure l hope Rach-
ell Will get over it and go to the par
tgs
Get over it, repeated Reuben
Moffatt. You don't mean to say
that Rachel-The old man paused
and surveyed his wife critically.
KeEia Moffatt nodded hert head
aaifmatively."
Oh. nonsence, Kezia exclaimed
dc old man. You feel unpleasant
like because George Reynolds should
prefer any other woman to ouI
Rachel. It's my opinion that Rach.
eli had't a thought of George Rey-
nolds, except
A shadow fell on the porch, and
the old man suddenly changed the
Sabieet of his remarks.
1Ae shadow that Had fallen on
loreh was Rachel Moffat's. Il
If0il6Eed her across the green fields
where she walked, magnifying bel
sunbonnet into an uushapely thing,
and lengthening her slight figure in.
to exceedingly lank proportions.
Which way, Miss RachelP Are
you running a way from your shad
owl asked a young man, stepping
out from behind tree that stood
midway in the field.
Rachel Motfatt gave a sidelons
glance at her shadow and said. witt
an effort; We can't escape then
any more than we can our thoughts
It's lucky for Us that they ar,
harmless things, answered the young
man with smile. l shouldn't thini
YOU would want to escape you
thoughts, Miss Rachel. l am sur
| | shouldn't. And if you have no OBJ
lection, l will walk in your shadow
as you seem to be going my way.
Rachel Moffatt bowed, but th
young man, glanciDg into her face
saw that size accepted his compan,
with resignation.
l presume you have received
George Reynolds cards ? said tn
young man, after pause.
Yes, Rachel answered, gravely
They are very stylish, she adde
with an effort. -
Miss Maurice is said to be wealthy
the young man continued.
All ! Rachel exclaimed, with
curl of lips that was full of scorn.
With a delicate, intuitive sens
that would have done credit to me
in finer clothes and loftier spher,
3 Walter Gibbs changed the subieC
= with the remark: l have the boo
: of yours, that l borrowed, in m
pocket, Miss Rachel. There wei
t some scraps of paper in it and SON
bits of faded flowers. ] have save
them all and return them with I'll
book.
Thank you, it did not signif
Rachel replied, indifferently.
. She turned the leaves of the bll
and gilt volume with the uneal
motion of restless hands, and the
dropped from the gilded leaves Il
faded flowers. They were all alik
mere bits of pink coloring on
wooden stem-pink not so deep