The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-05-24
up one of the fallen bits and pulling it

wonder.
Yes," the young man said, answer
ing the wonder in her tones. "In the
spring it is tree of promise, with
al its rugged branches crowded full of
blossoms; but the blossoms die, and
there is never fruit or beauty in fulfill
ment of its springtime promise. There
is but one in the village that know of,
and that is in Squire Reynolds gar
den."
Looking up to see if Rachel Moffatt
remembered the trec, Walter Gibbs be-
came painfully conscious that his re-
mark had dyed her face with telltale
bushes, and the tale 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 loved. At least she should be
relieved from the annoyance of his So
ciety, and, with sigh, he remarked:
"It was uncivil of me to join you,
Miss Rachel, when you came out to
walk alone. I beg your pardon. And
as L haYe an errand down to the widow
Browns, and am going around that way,
I viii. leave you here"
"I 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 company" he muttered, as
he walked away y-"a pretty story that,
and she wishing me ten miles away,
from the moment joined her What
a poor blind fool have beenl"
The woman whose happiness George
Reynolds had trifled with so wantonly
walked slowly toward her home and sat
down on the little low porch, watching
the moon come up. She overheard
her fathers words as he talked to her
mother:
"There's as good fish in the sea as
was ever 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 Moffatt' s sad face fitted
smile that was almost merry. To think
of comparing Medbury society to a
puddle, and George Reynolds to the
biggest toad |! Then her thoughts wan
dered to herself. Did her father and
m other suspect her liking for George
Reynolds9 And Walter Gibbs-had her
face tattled to him of secrets that she
fain would have kept2 Henceforth she
would wear mask, and hide her secrets
in her heart.
She went into the house and sat down
by the lamplight. Her mask was on,
and she wondered if Mrs. Reynolds had
made the fruit cake for the reception, or
whether they had bought it of the baker
at Medbury.
Mrs. Moffatt thought that Mrs. Reyn.
olds would make it. She was such
hand to have everything done up in her
kitchen. " Maybe" she added, "Mrs.
Reynolds would like your help in making
lady cake or something. You're such a
master hand at lady cake, you know,
ltachel. Surprising she should express
he rself that way, what should I say to
her 2"
Rachel's mask threatened to fall. To
go into George Reynold's home and help
prepare for the reception of his bride
was blow for which she was ill pre-
pared. Only moment, and the totter-
ing mask was up again. Certainly, if
Mrs. Reynolds should ask my help,
would go" Rachel answered. "I would
be glad to CO." she added, a moment
after, as if she were giving the mask
final securing touch.
And so Rachel Moffatt found herself
beating eggs and stirring butter and
sugar In Mrs. Reynolds kitchen, listen
Ing to the weman's garrulous chat.
Lady cake it will be-" I expect" she
said, pausing in the midst of her culin-
ary operations to watch the whites of
eggs rising in a foape under Rachel Moi
faats dextrous manipulatious. "AndI
expect she's very fine lady we're a.
making it for; but it's matter that 7
wouldn't like to go no further than be-
tween us two, that I'd a been satisfied
II George had picked out a wife nearer
home. I'm sure I wouldn't a said a
word If she who is making the cake and
she who would eat the cake had been the
same identical individual"
Rachel's mask shook q little. but sbe
was brave girl. "Oh, I am sure
Georges wife will be nice lady. and
dare say we will all like her very much. {"
she answered.
Rachel Moffatt's words were fully
verified. George Reynolds wife proved
to be very nice lady-a little delicate
creature, all pink and white, whom it
was impossible not to like, because she
was SO thoroughly amiable and lovely. !.
"Who is the lady in white with the
pink flowers in her hair ?" asked the
bride of the bridegroom, the evening
OF their reception, as Rachel Moffatt en-
tered the room, somewhat late. "She
looks very lovely, but shouldn't think
she would like to wear flowers off the
Judas tfee. Don't you know2" she
asked, answering the inquiring looks of
her husband. "That this is the name
OF the tree that bears those pink flowers.
l am u great boteqist-don't you kno.
that, my darling ?"