The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-06-23
Rachel Moffatt's Shadow.

/ INdCuelt anu l6il IulO s6TlOuS CDdb over
the bits of cardboard. George Rey-
nolds, the groom, was discussed with pos
| tive knowledge, gained by acquaint-
ance with him from boyhood. Kate
Maurice, the bride, was discussed with
the speculative knowledge that charac-
terizes remarks concerning stranger
/ brides.
| Rachel Moffatt had left the room
while George Reynolds was under dis
cussion, and her mothers careful eye
had observed that there was surprise,
anger, almost tears in the girls face.
81 say, Reuben" began the good
mans wife, after Rachel had gone.
"Yes," 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 Moffatt's answer. "My atten-
tion goes a good deal that way natu-
rally"
'To be sure" answered Kezia Moffatt.
"How could it be otherwise, and you
the father of such a girl as our Rachel?
am sure l wonder that a young man
like George Reynolds should look far
ther than such trim, handsome girl as
Rachel is, and he knows all about her
housekeeping, too"
"'Look farther and fare worse is an
old proverb, you know" rejoined Reu-
ben MoffatU.
"And it's my opinion he's done worse,
and deserves to 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 i? ?' 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 af-
firmatively.
"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 a
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 Moffatts. 1t followed
the young girl across the green fields
where she walked, magnifyiug her sun
bonnet into an unshapely thing, and
lengthing her slight figure into exceed
ingly lank proportions.
(which way, Miss Rachel? Are you
running away from your shadow ?''
. asked young man, stepping out from
an oak tree that stood midway in the
field.
Rachel Moffatt gave sideiong glance
at her shadow, and said, with au 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. II shouldn't think you
would want to escape your thoughts
Miss Rachel. Pm sure [ shouldn't
And if you have no objection, pll walk
in your shadow, as you seem to be 60
ing my way"
Rachel Moffatt bowed, but the young
man, glancing into her face, saw that
she accepted his company with resigna,
tion.
81 presume you have received George
: Reynolds cards, said the young man
, after pause.
eyes," Rachel answered, gravely
"They are very Stylish" she added
with an effort.
r ''Miss Maurice is sail to be wealthy
: the young man continued.
"Ah w Rachel exclaimed, with curl
of lips that was full of scorn.
With delicate intuitive sense thai
! would have done honor to men in finel
clothes and a loftier sphere, Walter
Gibbs changed the subject with the re-
mark:
e 81 have the book of yours that Dor
= rowed, in my pocket, Miss Rachel
y There were scraps of paper in it, anC
some bits of faded flowers. I have saveC
them all, and return them with th'
d book"
: "Thank you; it did not signify
Rachel replied, indifferently.
She turned the leaves of the blue ant
gilt volume with the uneasy motion o
e restless hands, and then dropped from
!, the gilded leaves the faded flowers
h They were all alike, mere bits of pinl
coloring on woody stem-pink not 81
deep as the color that glOwed on Rache
Moffatts cheeks at sight of the flowers
at is the Cercis cdHddensiS, or Juda
tree" her companion remarked, pick
ing up one of the fallen bits and pullin.
C "The Judas treep' echoed Rache
It Moffatt, all her tones full of scornfu
: wonder.
''Yes," the young man said, answer
{ ing the wonder in her tones. "In tn
/, spring it is tree of promise, with al
its rugged branches crowded full of bios
- SONS; but the blossoms die, and there j
4 never fruit nor beauty in fulfillment o
n its spring-time promise. There is bu
one in the village that l know of, ant
a that is in Squire Reynolds garden"
O Looking up to see if Rachel Moffat
!, remembered the tree, Walter Gibbs be
d came painfully conscious that his re
e mark had dyed her face with tell-tal
= blushes, and the tale they told wa
J. about George Reynolds. Then he re
n membered how he had forced his com
=, pany upon her, and his conscienc
e smOte him when he thought how hi
= careless words might have added to th
If trouble of the girl he loved. AT leas
e she should be relieved from the annoy
Il ance of his society, and, with sigh, b.
= remarked:
e at was uncivil of me to join you
V Miss Rachel, when you came out t
}, walk alone. 1 beg your pardon. An,
e as have an errand down to the widOy
,, Browns, and am going around tina
d way, will leave you here"
Is "I would be glad to have your com
= pany," Rachel Motfatt felt constraine
J. to say.
V "Thauk you, but my errand is urgent,
Walter Gibbs answered. "Glad t
have my company !" he muttered, as h
IS walked away, "a pretty story that, an
ID she wishing me ten miles away, from
7 i