The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-09-04
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RACHEL MOFFATT'S SHADOW.

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from the hands of their daughter Rachel,
and fell INTO serious chat over the bits of
cardboard. 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 knowledge
that characterizes remarks concerning
stranger brides.
Rachel Moffatt had left the room while
George Reynolds was under discussion,
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 oall your attention to our
Rachel"
you needn't call very loud" was
Reuben Moffatt's answer. "My atten-
ton goes good deal in that way satur-
ally"
ITO be sure" answered Kezia Moffatt.
How could it be otherwise, and you the
father of such girl as our Rachel? am
sure wonder that young man like
George Reynolds should look farther 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" said kezia Moffatt,
with anger in her eyes and tones. 81 am
sure hope Rachel will get over it and 60
the party"
"Get over it3" repeated Reuben Mof-
fat. "You don't mean that Rachel"
The old man paused and surveyed his wife
critically.
''Oh, nonsense, Kezia!" exclaimed the
old man. "You felt unpleasant like be-
cause George Reynolds should prefer any
other woman to our Rachel. It's my opin-
ion 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 Moffatt's. 1t followed
the young girl across the green fields
where she walked, magnifyin9 her sun
bonnet into an unshapely thing, and
frightening her slight figure into exceed
ingly lank proportions.
(Which way. Miss Rachel? Are you
running away from your shadow" asked
a young man, stepping out from an oak
tree that stood midway in the field.
Rachel Moffatt gave a sudden glance
at her shadow, and said with an effort,
1--WE can't escape them any more than we
can our thoughts"
''It's lucky for US that they are harmless
things" answered the young man with
smile. 81 shouldn't think you would
want to escape your thoughts, Miss Rachel.
I'm sure / shouldn't. And if you have ne
objections, l will walk in your shadow, as
you seem to be going my way"
Rachel Moffatt bowed, but the young
man, glancing into her face, saw that
she accepted his company with resigna-
ton.
II presume you have received George
Reynolds cards?" said the young man,
after pause.
"Yes, JRachel answered gravely. "They
are very stylish" she added, with an
effort.
Miss Maurice is said to be wealthy, :"
the young man continued.
''Ah!" Rachel exclaimed, with curl
Of lips that was full Of scorn.
With a delicate, intuitive sense that
would have done honor to men in finer
clothes and a loftier sphere, Walter
Gibbs changed the subject with the re-
marx: II have the hook of yours that
borrowed. in my pocket, Miss Rachel.
There were scraps of paper IN it and some
bits of faded flowers. have saved
them all;@yapd return them with the
book"
THANK you. it did not signify, Rachel
replied indiferently.
She turned the leaves Of the blue and
gilt volume with the uneasy motion Of
restless hands. and then dropped from
the gilded leaves the faded flowers.
They were all alike, mere bits Of pink
coloring on a wooden stem-epink not
so deep as the color that glowed on
Rachel Moffatt's cheeks at the sight of the
flowers.
ct is the Csrcis Cdnadenis, or Judas
tree" her companion remarked. picking
up one Of the fallen bits and pulling it to
pieces. :.
"The Judas-tree!" echoed Rachel
Moffatt, all her tones full OF sccrnful
wonder.
"Yes." the young man said. answering
the wonder in her tones. I'm the Spring
it is tree Of promise, with its rugged
branches crowded full of blossoms; but the
blossoms die. and there is never fruit or
beauty in ful6llment of its Springtime
promise. There is but one in the village
that know Of. and that is in Squire Rey.
Ids garden"
Looking up TO see if Rachel Moffatt re-
membered the tree, Walter Gibbs became
painfully conscious that his remark had
dyed her face with tell-tale bushes, and
the tale they told was about George Rey-
nolds. Then he remembered how he had
forced his counanv upon her. and his con-