The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-03-11
Rachel MOffatt's Shadow.

Reuben Moffatt and Kezia, his wife,
received a triplet Of white wedding cards
from the hands of their daughter Rachel,
and fell into serious chat over the bitt
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 spec
ulatiye knowledge that characterizes
remarks concerning stranger brides.
Rachel Moffatt had left the room
while George Reynolds was under dis
eussion, and her mothers careful eye
had observed that there was surprise,
anger, almost tears in the girls face.
Il say, Reuben, began the good mans
wife, after Rachel had gone.
Yes, assented Reuben Moffatt, signi-
flying his readiness to hear what his wife
had to say.
4 want to call your attention to our
Rachel
you needn't call very loud wus
Reuben Moffatt's answer. my atten-
ton goes a good deal that way naturally.
TO be sure, answered Kezia Moffatt
How could it be otherwise, and you the
father of such a girl as our Rachelf l
am sure l wonder that young man
like George Reynolds should look farther
than such a trim, handsome gir cs
Rachel is, and he knows all about her
housekeeping, too
Look farther and fare worse, is an
old proverb, you know, said Kesia
Moffatt, with anger in her eyes and
tones. Il am sure l hope Rachel will
get over it and go to the party
Get over it?' repeated Reuben
Moffatt. You don't mean that Rachel
-P' The old man paused and sur
veyed his wife critically.
KeZia Moffatt nodded her head affirm
atively.
'Oh, nonsense, Kezia 7 exclaimed the
old man. 'You feel unpleasant like be-
cause 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 Moffatt's. 1t followed
the young girl across the green fields
where she walked, magnifying her sun
bonnet into an unshapely thing and
lengthening her slight figure into ex.
ceedingly lank proportions,
which way, Miss Rachel9 Are you
running away from your shadow p asked
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,
we can't escape them any more than
we can our thoughts
IT'S lucky for us they are harmless
things, answered the young man with a
smile. 4 shouldn't think you would
want to escape your thoughts Miss
r achel. I'm sure l shouldn't. And il
you have no objection I will walk in
our shadow, as you seem to be going
my way
Rachel Moffatt bowed, but the young
man, glancing into her face, saw that
fhe accepted his company with resigna-
tion.
Il presume you have received George
Rey nold's cards p said the young man,
after pause.
Yes, Rachel answered gravely. They
are very stylish, she added, with an
effort.
Miss M aurice is said TO be wealthy,
the young man continued.
Abr Rachel exclaimed, with curl Of
the lips that was full Of scoIn,
With a delicate, intuitive sense that
would have done honor to men in finer
cloths and loftier sphere, Walter
Gibbs changed the subitct with the re-
mark Il have the book OF yours that l
borrowed in my pocket, Miss Rachel.
There were scraps Of paper in it and
some bits OF faded flowers. / 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
lit volume with the uneasy motion u