Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-06-24

" IL was uncivil of me to Join you, Mis-!
Rachel, when you came out to walk alone
l beg your pardon. And as l have ar
errand down to the widow Brow's, anC
am going around that way, will leave
you nere."
| would be glad TO have your COM
pany," Rachel Moffatt felt constrained
to say.
"Thank you, but my errand is urg-
ent," Walter Gibbs answered. "Glad
to have my companyl" he muttered as
he walked away-"a pretty story that,
and she wishing me ten miles further
away, from the moment | joined her
What poor blind fool have been -
The woman whose happiness George
Reynolds had trihed with so wontonl,
walked slowly toward her home and sa
down on the little low porch, watching
the moon come up. She overheard her
fathers words AS he talked to her moth
er:
There's as good fish in the sea as ever
was caught" It's my opinion the man
who gets our Rachel will find there is
better fish than George Reynolds has
caught, and I'm sure Rachel will find
better fish than George Reynolds, if he
does think himself the biggest toad in
the puddle"
Over Rachel Moflatt's sad face Uttered
a smile that was almost merry. To think
of comparing Medbury society to pud-
die, and George Reynolds to the biggest
toad Then her thoughts wandered to
herself. Did her father and mother sus-
pect her liking for George Reynolds ?
And Walter Gibbs-had her face tattled
to him OF secrets she fain would have
kept? Henceiorth she would wear q
mask, and hide her secrets in her heart
She won't into the house and sat down
by the lampight. Her mask was on,
and she wondered if Mrs. Reynolds had
made the fruitcake for the reception, or
whether they had bought it Of the baker
at Medbury.
Mrs. Mofiatt thought that Mrs. Rey-
nolds would make it. She was such a
hand to have everything done up in her
kitchen. Maybe" she added, MRS.
Reynolds would like to have your nell
in making lady-cake or something
You're such mastor-h hand at lady cake,
you know, Rachel. Surprising she should
express herself that way, what should |
say TO her?"
Rachel's mask threatened to fall. To
go into George Reynolds home and help
prepare for the reception of his bride was
n blow for which she was i'll prepared
Only moment, and tho tottering mask
was up again. " Certainly, it Mrs. Rey
nolds should ask my help / would
be glad to CO." she added, moment af-
ter, as she was giving the mask final
securing touch.
And so Rachel Mofiatt found herself
beating eggs and stirring butter and sug-
ar in Mrs. Reynolds kitchen, listening to
the woman's gsrrulous chat. Lady
cake it will be, | expect" she said paus-
ing in the midst of her culinary opera
tions to watch the whites of eggs rising
in foam under Rachel Moffatt's dex-
ferrous manipulations. "And | expect
she's II very fine lady we're s.making il
for; but it's a matter that / wouldn't like
to go any farther than between us two,
and I'd been satisfied if George had
picked out wife nearer home. I'm sure
j wouldn't a'said word if sho who is
making the cake and she who would eat
the cake had been the indentical individ-
ual."
Rachel's mask shook little, but she
was brave girl. "Oh I'm sure George
wife will be nice lady, and dare say w
will all like her very much," she ans
wered.
Rachel Mohatt's words were fully YER
titled. George Reynolds wife proved to
be very nice lady-a little delicate Great
ure, all pink end white, whom it was i'm
possible not to like, because she was so
thoroughly amiable and lovely.
"Who is the lady in white with the
pink flowers in her hair7" asked the bride
of the bridegroom, the evening Of their
reception, as Rachel Mofatt entered the
room, somewhat late. "She looks very
lovely, but l shouldn't think she would
like TO wear flowers off the Judas tree
Don't you know7" she asked, answering
the inquiring looks Of her husband
"That is the name of the tree that bears
those white flowers. / am great bota-
nist-don't you know that my darlingr
The darling colored, seeing Rachel
Mofiatt and the pink flowers, and remem'
bering certain words uttered beneath the
shadows Of the pink branches.
Rachel Moffatt was a study TO another
man at George Reynolds reception
Walter Gibbs eyes followed her wherever
she moved, and he went home thinking
Of the mystery of womanhood rs it re-
vealed itself in Rachel Moffatt and pink
flowers.
The Judas tree had never bloomed but
once when George Reynolds and his wife
came to Medbury to live.
George don't get on so we'll as
could expect" Squire Reynolds said
and Mrs. Reynolds hinted TO half doz-
en- neighbors, hoping it would go no fur
ther than between herself and the one
with whom she talked, that Georges wife
was well-meaning, good hearted little
creature, but, bless her heart! she didn't
know the first thing about housekeeping
and she hadn't any knack at making the
most of her means.
George Reynolds wife sent for Rachel
MofIat one day. II would have come
down myself" she apologized, "but re-
ally was not able;" and Rachel, look