The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-05-24
as it revealed itself in Rachel Moffatt and

as it revealed 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 80 we'll as I
could expect" Squire Reynolds said !:
and Mrs. Reynolds limited to half a
dozen neighbors, hoping it would 20 no
further 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 house
keeping, and she hadn't any knack at
making the most of her means.
George Reynolds wife sent for Rachel
Moffatt one day. "I would have come
down myself" she apologized, "but
really was not able;" and Rachel, look
ing into her face, saw that the pink had
all faded out, leaving only the whiteness
of the previous year. "You see, dear, +"
she went on, with a winning frankness,
60! wasn't brought up to anything use
/ ful, and the housekeeping don't go
right, and George and I have moved
ont, thinking we could manage better,
and it would be better for the baby. /
remember what beautiful lady cake
you made for our reception. and the
praises that were in everybody's mouth
about your cooking. And now, my dear
Miss Moffatt, would you mini showing
me little, and see if / can't learn to
manage better, and make Georges home
more comfortatle9 I thought I had
rather ask young person like you than
Georges mother even"
And so Rachel Moffatt found herself
in George Reynolds kitchen, instruct
ing the childwife in the mysteries of
cooking, and trying to impart to her
some of her rare knack, as the people
called it.
One day, as she came out of the little
gate and took her way toward her own
nome, gentleman passed her on horse
back. Looking up, she saw n man with
full beard and good figure; stranger
she thought him until he wheeled about
and exclaimed: "You are not running
away from your shadow again, are you,
Miss Rachel2" And the stranger was
no other than Walter Gibbs.
Rachel laughed this time without
effort "They are harmless things, as
you said" she replied; and then she in
CURED kindly after bis health and stay
in Medbury.
presume strangers occupy the cot
tage yorder2" Walter Gibbs remarked,
pointing to the cottage Rachel had just
left.
George Reynolds lives there"
Rachel answered. GIVE been up to
assist kate-Mrs. ReJnolds-;n canning
some fruit"
Rachel Moffatt's face did not color or a
! feature change. Either her mask was
perfectly worn, or that look had ceased
to be q mask.
Walter Gibbs, during his stay in
Medbury, fell into his old habit of walk
ing In Rachel Moffatt's shadow. Look
ing into her face as on that evening
year before, he missed the resignation it
pad worn then, for in it was real
pleasure.
One day he sought her with strange
nervousness aud abstraction in his man
ner. Rachel was very grave too, and
Walter Gibbs saw that she had been
weeping. He looked into her face with
the tender solicitude that only men who
love and women who have been loved
know, and Rachel explained hastily.
Did he not know? Had he not heard
Geofge Reynolds wife died suddenly
that morning of heart disease.
Walter Gibbs went home with the
nervous abstraction all gone from his
manner, and hard endurance in its
stead. George Reynolds was free now,
free to win Rachel Moffatt if he could.
and she who loved him once was free to
accept him. 81 couldn't be satisfied
with doubtful love" he said "I will
wait"
He waited until the Judas trees we're
In blossom again, and then he went to
Medbury.
"It's awaiting on Rachel Moffatt.
George Reynolds is" one of the Med
bury gossips told him. "And his wife
not been under the sod year yeti They
were old schoolmates, and knew each
other from childhood, and we used to
think it would make a match before he
ever married that little helpless city
girl, and haven't any doubt in my own
mind but it will make match now.
Gussie Reynolds is going to have a tea
party next week, and that will show
which way the wind is blowing"
Walter Gibbs went to Gussie Reyn-
olds' tea drinking. He said to his mother
he would not miss 1t for fortune.
haohei Maffatt was there, walking now
and then with George Reynolds, and
taiklng with him ever and anon; but then
IL was Hachels habit to be kind to every
one VINO came In her way. Late in the
evening Walter Gibbs missed her from
the parlor. He looked around for
He 1rge Reynolds, but he tor -vas gone.
Inc Medbury gossip light, " =
thought. "This tea par
which way the wind is ,
walked to the wind
deserving Rschcl
garments dow,
Rsynolds W.