The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-05-24
Rachel Moffatt's Shadow.

'"e'N' "oHotk oHCuUWs
Reuben Moffatt and Kezia his wife re-
celved triplet of white wedding cards
from the hands of their daughter
Rachel, and fell into serious chat over
the bits Of cardboard. George Reyn-
olds, the groom, was discussed with
positive knowledgeS gained by acquain-
tance with him from boyhood. Kate
Maurice, tho bride, was discussed with
the speculative knowledge that charac-
terIzes remarks concerning stranger
brides.
Rachel Moffatt hadle the room while
George Reynolds was under discussion.
and her mothers careful eye had OBJ
almost tears in the girls face.
81 say, Reuben" begun the good
mans wife, after Rachel had gone.
Yes" assented Reuben Moffatt. sig
nifying his readiness to hear what his
wife had to say.
want to call your attention to our
Rachel"
"You needn't call very loud" was
Reuben Moffatt's answer. "My atten-
tion goes a good deal that way natur-
ally"
"To be sure" answered Kezia Moi
fa.t. "How could it be otherwise. and
yea the father of such a girl as our
Rachel2 I am sure I wonder that a
young man like George Reynolds should
look further than such a trim, handsome
girl as Rachel is, and he knows all about
her housekeeping too."
"'Look further and fare worse is an
old proverb, you know" rejoined Reu-
ben Moffatt.
"And it's my opinion he's done
worse, and deserves to do worse" said
Kezia Mofatt, with anger in her ewes
and tones. 81 am sure I hope Rachel
will get over it and go to the party"
"Get over it9" repeated Reuben Mof.
fatt. "You don't mean to saw that
Rachel - The old man paused and
surveyed his wife critically.
Kezia Moffatt nodded her head affirm
atively.
=" Oh, nonsense, Kezia |" exclaimed
the old man. " You feel unpleasant like
because George Reynolds should prefer
any other woman to our Rachel. It's
my opinion that Rachel hadn't thought
OF George Reynold, except -
A shadow fell on the porch, and the
old man suddenly changed the subject of
his remarks.
The shadow that had fallen on the
porch was Rachel Moffatts. It followed
the young girl across the green fields
where she walked, magnifying her SUM-
bonnet into an unshapely thing, and
lengthening her slight figure into ex-
ceedingly lank proportions.
(Which way, Miss Rachel Are Won
running away from your shadow :"
asked young man, stepping out f1om
noIr fxnA khaGn
field.
Rachel Moffatt gave a sidelong glance
at her shadow, and said. with an effort ::
"We can't escape them any more than
we can our thoughts"
It's lucky for us that they are harm
less things" answered the young man,
with smile. "I shouldn't think you'd d
want to escape your thoughts, Miss
Rachel. Pm-sure I shouldn't. And if
you have no objection, will walk in
your shadow, as you seem to be going
my way"
Rachcl Moffatt bowed, but the Young
man, glancing into her face, saw that she
accepted his company with resignation.
"I presume you have received GEORGE
Reynolds cards 2" said the young man,
after q pause.
Yes" Rachel answered, grayely.
They are very Stylish" she added,
with an effort.
{" Miss Maurice is said to be wealthy. "
the young man continued.
"Ahp Rachel exclaimed, with q curl
OK lips that was full of scorn.
With delicate intuitive sense that
woald have done honor to men in finer
clothes and loftier sphere, Walter
Gibbs changed he subject with the re,