Weekly Trinity journal., 1876-06-24
RACHEL MOFFATTS SHADOW

heuoeu MOlltlI anu heZla MS vile
received tripet of white wedding cards
from the hands Of their daughter Rachel,
and fell into serious chat over the bits of
card board. George Reynolds. the groom,
was discussed with positive knowledge
gained by acquaintance with him from
boyhood. Kate Maurice, the bride, was
discussed with the speculative knowl-
edge that characterizes remarks concern
ing stranger brides.
Rachel Motfatt had left the room while
George Reynolds was under discussion
and her mothers careful eye had observ-
ed that there was surprise, anger, almos,
tears in the girls face.
a. say, Reuben" began the good
mans wife, after Rachel had gone.
YES" assented Reuben Motiatt, sig
nifying his readiness to hear what his
wife had to say.
"I want to call your attention to our
Rachel"
You needn't call very loud" was
Reuben Motlatt's answer. My attention
goes II good deal that way naturally"
ITO be sure" answered Kezia Moilatt.
How could it be otherwise, and you
the father of such II girl as our Rachel? l
am sure wonder that II young man like
George Reynolds should look further
than such trim, handsome girl as Rach-
el is, and he knows all about her house
keeping, too"
Look farther and fare worse is an
old proverb, you know" rejoined Reu-
ben Mofiat.
=" And it's my opinion he's done worse,
and deserves to do worse" said Kezia
Mofiatt, with anger in her eyes and tones.
Il am sure l hope Rachel will get over
it and 20 to the party"
Get over it?" repeated Reuben Mof-
tatt. You don't mean to say that
Rachel" The old man paused and sur
veyed his wife critically.
Kezia Motiatt nodded her head affirm
atvely.
"Oh, nonsense, Kezia |" exclaimed
the old man. y ou 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 Reynolds, 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 Motla.ts. 1t followed
the young girl across the fields where she
walked, magnifying her sunbonnet into
an unshapely thing, and engthening her
slight figure into exceedingly lank pro-
portions.
Which way, Miss Rachel ? Are yon
running away from your shadow" asked
n young man, stepping out from an oak
tree that stood midway in the field.
Rachel gave sideong glance at her
shadow, and said, with an effort, " We
can't escape them any more than we
can our thoughts"
" It's lucky Tor us that they are harm
less things" answered the young man,
with II smile. 81 shouldn't think you
would want to escape your thoughts, Miss
Rachel. I'm sure | shouldn't. And II
you have no objection, will walk on
your shadow, rs you seem to be going
my way
Rachel Mofiatt bowed, but the young
man glancing into her face, saw that she
accepted his company with resignation.
81 presume you have received Geo.
Reynolds cards ?" said the young man
after pause.
"Yes," 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 curl
of lips that was full of scorn.
With delicate intuitive sense that
would have done honor to men in finer
clothes and loltier sphere, Walter Gibbs
changed the subject with the remark 81
have the book of yours that borrowed, 4,
in my pocket, Miss Rachel. There were
scraps of paper in it and some bits of
faded flowers. i have saved them all,
and return them with the book"
"Thank you it did not signify" "
Rachel replied, indifierently.
She turned the leaves Of the blue and
gilt volume with the uneasy motion Of
restless hands, and then dropped from
the giIded leaves the faded flowers. They
were all alike, mere bits of pink coloring
on a woody stem-pink not SO deep as
the color that glowed on Rachel Moffa:t's
cheeks at sight Of the flowers.
at is the Cercis cdnadensis, or Judas
tree" her companion remarked, picking
up one of the fallen bits and pulling it in
pieces.
"The Judas-treeW echoed Rachel Mof-
fatt, all her tones full of scornful wonder.
YES" the young man said, answer
ing the wonder in her tones. In the
Spring it is tree Of promise, with all its
rugged branches crowded full of bios
SONS but the blossoms die, and there is
never fruit or beauty in fu6llment of its
Springtime promise. There is but one
in the village that know of, and that is
in Squire Reynolds garden"
J,oLino nm IN coo IL Rachal Mofatt re-
membefed the tree, Walter Gibbs be-
canfe painfully conscious that his remark
had dyed her face with tell-tale bushes ,
and the tale that they told was about
George Reynolds. Then he remembered
how he had forced his company upon
her, and his conscience smote him when
he thought how his careless words might
have added TO the trouble Of the girl he