The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-03-11

deep as tne Color tnat glOWed on hacne
Modatt's cheeks at sight OF the flowers
1T is the Ceris Canadenis Judas tree,
her companion remarked, picking up
one OF the fallen bits and pulling it tC
pieces.
The Judas tree I echoed Rachel
MofIatt, all her tones full of scornfnl
wonder.
Yes, the yonng man said, answering
the wonder in her tones. In the Spring
it is a tree Of promise, with its 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 to see if Rachel Moffatt
remembered the tree, Walter Gibbs be
came painfully conscious that his remark
had dyed her face with tell-tale blushes,
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 society, and
with sigh he remarked:
1t was uncivil for me to join you,
Miss Rachel, when you came out to walk
alone. I beg your pardon. And as I
have an errand down to the Widow
Browns and am going around that way,
will leave you here
Il would be glad to have your COM
pany,' Rachel Moffatt felt constrained
to say.
Thank you, but my errand is urgent,
Walter Gibbs answered. 'Glad to have
your company he muttered as he
walked away-'a pretty story, that, and
she wishing me ten miles away, from the
moment joined her What q poor
blind l have been.'
The woman whose happiness George
Reynolds had trihed with 80 wantoply
walked slowly toward her home and sat
down on the little 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 than George Reynolds has caught;
and am sure T j will find better
fish than George Reynolds, if he does
think he is the biggest toad in the
puddle
Over Rachel Moffatt's sad face fitted
a smile that was almost merry. To
think of comparing Medbury to pud'
die, and George Reynolds to the biggest
toad When her thoughts wandered to
herself. Did her father and mother
suspect her liking for George Reynolds
And Walter Gibbs-had her face tattled
to him OF secrets that she fain would
have keptP Henceforth she would wear
mask, and hide her secret to her heart.
She went into the house and sat down
by the lamp light. Her mask was op,
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. Rey-
nolds would make it. She was such q
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 master.hand at lady. cake. you
know, Rachel. Supposing she should
express herself that way, what should I
say to heri'
Rachel's mask threatened to fall. TO
go into George Reynolds home and
help to prepare for the reception of his
bride was q blow for which she was not
prepared. Only q moment and the
tottering mask was up. Certainly, if
Mrs. Reynolds should ask my help, !
would CO. Rachel answered Il would
be glad to co. she added moment
after, as il 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 woman's garrulous chat.
'Lady-cake it will be, l expect, she said,
pausing in the midst of her culinary
operations to watch the whites OF eggs
rising in foam under Rachel Moffatt's
dexterous manipulations. and l expect
she's very fine lady we're a-making it
for; but it's q matter that I wouldn't
like to 60 no farther than between us
two, that I'd % been satisfied if George
had picked out wife nearer home; I'm
snre ] shouldn't q said word if che
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 she
was brave girl. 'Oh, I'm sure Georges
wife will be nice lady, aud dare say
we will all like her very much, she
answered.
R,cbel Moffatt's words were fully
verified. George Reynolds wife proved
to be very nice lady--s little delicate
creature, all pink and white, whom it
was impossible not to like, because she