Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-05-13
Rachel Moffatt's Shadow.

Reuben Moffatt and Kezia his wife re-
ceived 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 knowledge, gained by acquain-
tance with him from boyhood. Kate
Maurice, the bride, was discussed with
the speculative knowledge that charac-
terizes remarks concerning stranger
brides.
Rachel MoAatt had left the room while
George Reynolds was under discussion,
and her mothers careful eye had OBJ
served that there was surprise, anger,
almost tears in the girls face.
81 say, Reuben" begun the good
mans wife, after Rachel had gone.
eyes," assented Reuben Moffatt, sig
nifying his readiness to hear what his
wife had to say.
81 want to call your attention to our
Rachel"
"You needn't call very loud," was
Reuben Mofatt's answer. "My atten-
ton goes a good deal that way natur-
ally"
"To be sure" answered Kezia Moi
fatt. "How could it be otherwise. and
you the father of such girl as our
Rachel2 l am sure 1 wonder that q
young man like George Reynolds should
look further than such 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" reioined Reu-
ben Moffatt.
"And it's my opinion he's done
worse, and deserves 20 do worse" said
Kezia Moffatt, with anger in her eyes
and tones. 81 am sure hope Rachel
will get over it and go to the party"
"Get over it2" repeated Reuben Moi
fatt. "You don't mean to say that
Rachel . The old man paused and
surveyed his wife critically.
Kezia Moffatt nodded her head affirm
atively.
ooh, nonsense, Kezial' 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 Moffatt's. 1t followed
the young girl across the green fields
where she walked, magnifying her sun
bonnet into an unshapely thing, and
lengthening her slight figure into ex-
ceedingly lank proportions.
(Which way, Miss Rachel Are you
running away from your shadow 2''
asked young man, stepping out flom
an oak tree that stood midway in the
field.
Rachel Moffatt gave 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 a smile. 81 shouldn't think you'd
want to escape your thoughts, Miss
Rachel. I'm sure 1 shouldn't. And il
you have no objection, will walk in
your shadow, as you seem to be going
my way"
Rachel Mofatt bowed, but the young
man, glancing into her face, saw that she
accepted his company with resignation.
L presume you have received George
Reynolds cards p said the young man,
after pause.
eyes," Rachel answered, gravely.
"They are very Stylish" she added
with an effort.
"Miss Maurice is said to be wealthy, y
the young man continued.
"Ah !" Rachel exclaimed, with cur
of lips that was full of scorn.
With q delicate intuitive sense that
would have done honor to men in finel
clothes ard loftier sphere, Walter
Gibbs changed the subject with the re
mark: 81 have the book of yours thai
borrowed, in my pocket, Miss Rachel
There were scraps of paper in it anC
some bits of faded flowers. I have saved
them all, and return them with the
book"
"Thank you; it did not signify,
Rachel replied, indifferently.
She turned the leaves of the blue anC
gilt volume with the uneasy motion O
restless hands, and then dropped from
the gilded leaves the faded flowers
They were all alike, mere bits of pinl
coloring on woody stem-pink not 81
deep as the color that glowed on Rache
Moffatt's cheeks at sight of the flowers
cit is the Cerc5s canadenSis, or Judal
tree," her companion remarked, picking
up one of the fallen bits and pulling i
in pieces.
"The Judas tree |" echoed Rache
Moffatt, all her tones full of scornfu
wonder.
eyes," the young man said, answer
ing the wonder in her tones. "In th,
spring it is tree of promise, will
all its rugged branches crowded full o
blossoms; but the blossoms die, anC
there is never fruit or beauty in fulfill
ment of its springtime promise. Their
is but one in the village that / know OF
and that is in Squire Reynolds gar
den."