The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-17
Rachel's Shadow.

ccived triplet of white wedding cards
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 boy
hood. Katie Maurice the bride, was dis
cussed with the speculative knowledge that
charactcrizcs 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.
II say, Reuben, began the good mans
wife, after Rachel had gone.
"Ycs," answered Reuben Mofratt, signi-
lying his readiness TO hear what his wife
had to say.
IL want to call your attention to our
Rachel"
You needn't Call very loud," was Rcu-
ben Moffatt's answer My attention goes q
good deal that way, naturally"
''ro he sure, answered KeZia Mofratt.
"How could it be otherwise, and the father
OF such girl as our Rachcl2 am sure l
wonder that young man like George Rey-
no'ds should look farther than such trim,
handsome girl as Rachel is, and he knows
all about her housekeeping too"
Look further and fare worse,' is an old
provcrb, you know" said Reuben Moffatt,
with anger in his eyes and tones. 'I am
sure hope Rachel will get over it and 20
to the party
"Gct over it9" repeated Reuben Moffatt.
"You don't mean that Rachel -" The
old man paused and surveyed his wife criti-
cally.
Kczia Motfatt nodded her head atlirna-
lively.
"Oh, nonsense, Kczia!" exclaimed the
old man. "You feel unpleasant like be-
cause George Reynolds should prefer any
other woman to our Rachel It'smy opinion
that Rachel hadn't a thought of George
Reynolds, except"
shadow fell on tho porch, and the old
man suddenly changed the subject of his
remarks.
The shadow that had fallen on the porch
was Rachel Aloffatt's. 1t followed the
young girl across the green fields where she
shapcly thing, and lengthcning her slight
figure into exceedingly ank proportions.
(Which way, Miss Rachcl2 Are you
running away from your shadow" asked q
young man, stepping out from under an oak
tree that stood midway in the field.
Rachel Moffatt gavo a sudden glance at
her shadow, and said with an effort, eve
can't escape them any more than we cali
our thoughts"
sits lucky for us that they arc harmless, +"
answered the young man, with smile. IL
shouldn't think you would want to escape
your thoughts, Miss Rachel, Pm sure |
shouldn't. And if you've no objection, 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 resignation.
II presume you havo received George
Reynolds cards9" said the young man, after
pause. ~ {
"Yes," Rachel answered gravcly. "Thcy
are very stylish" she added, with an effort.
Miss Maurice is said to be wealthy"
the young man continued.
"Ah!" Rachel exclaimed with a curl of
her lips that was full of scorn.
With delicate, intuitivc scrsc that
would have done honor to, men in finer
clothes and o loftier sphere, Walter Gibbs
changed the subject with the remark: 81
have the book of yours that borrowed, in
scraps of paper in 1t, and some bits of faded
with the book"
"Thank you, 1t did not signify" Rachel
replied indiffcrently.
Shc turned the leaves of the blue and
gilt volume with the uneasy motion of rest
less hands, and there dropped from them
the gilded leaves and faded flowers. They
we're all alike, mere bits of pink coloring
on wooden stem-pink not SO deep as the
color that glowed on Rachel Moffatt's checks
Mt sight of the flowers.
ut is the Ceris Canadensis. Judas tree,
her companion remarked, picking up one
Of tho fallen bits and pulling 1t to pieces.
"The Judas treel" echoed Rachel Moffatt
all her tones full of scornful wonder.
"Yes," the young man said, answering
the wonder In llcr tones. 'In the spring Il
is tree of promise with It's rugged branches
crowded full Of blossoms; but the blossoms
die, and there Is never fruit or beauty in
fulfllment Of it's springtime promise. There
is but one In the village that know of,
and that is in Squire Reynolds garden.
Looking up 20 see IL Rachel Moffatt re.
membered the Tree, Walter Gibbs became
painfully consuous that bis remarI; had