Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-01-21
Rachel MOTatt's Shadow,

positiye knowledge, gained by acQuaint-
auce with him from boyhood. Kate
Maurice. the bride, was discussed with
the speculative knowledge that charac-
ter,zes remarks concerning strange
brides.
Rachel MoGatt lad left the room
while George Reynolds was under dis
cussicn, and her mothers careful eyr
had observed that there was surprise,
anger, almost tears IN the girls face.
/ say, Reuben began the goo(
mans wife, after Rachel had gone.
'Yes, asscnted Reuben Monalt, sig
niNing his readiness to bear what his
wife had to say.
'Iwant to call your attention 20 oul
Rachel
You needn't call very loud,' wa
Reuben MoAatt's answer. My atton
ton goes a good deal that way naiur-
ally
To be suro,' answered Kczia Mof-
fat. How could it be otherwise, an(
YOU the father Of such a girl as on
Rachel? I am sure 7 wonder that q
young man ike George Reynolds shopl.
look father than such a trim, handsom,
girl as Rachel is, aud he knows al
about her housekeeping, too
Look farther and fare worse IS al
old proyerb, you know said Kezi.
Monatt, with anger in her eyes auC
tones. 4 am sure hope Rachel vii
get over it and 90 to the party.
'Gotov it" repeated Rcuten Moi
att. You don't mean that Rachc
-E The old man paused and sur
ycycd liz wife critically.
Kczia MoAatt nodded her head AFFIRM
atiyely.
oh, nonsense, Kcuav exclaimed
the old man. You feel unpleasant
like because George Reynolds shoult
prefer any other woman to our Rachel
It's my opinion that Rachel hadn't Z
thought Of George Reynolds except
y shadow fell on the porch, and tn,
old man suddenly changed the subiec
ofhis remarks.
The shadow that bad fallen on The
porch was Rachel Molatt's. II follow
ed the Young girl across the green field
where she walked, magnifying her SUI
bonnet lato an unshapely thing, AM
lengthenipg her slight figure into ex
ceedingly lank proportions.
(which way, Miss Rachel: Are Vol
running away from your shadow" ask
ed young man, stepping out from al
oak tree that stood midway IN the field
Rachel Mofatt gave a sudden glanc
at her shadow, and said with an effort
: We can't escape them any more thai
we can our thoughts
IFS lucky for us that they are harm
less things, answered the young mar
with a smile. L should think yo
would want to escape vour thoughts
Mss Rachel. Pm sure l shouldn't
And if you have no objection, l Wi
walk in your shadow, as you seem to b
going my way
Rachel Monatt bowed. but the youn
man, glancing into her face, saw tia
she accepted his company with resigna
. ton.
Il presume you have receivee Geors
Reynolds cards?' said the young man
after a pause.
Yes Rachel 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 cul
of her lips that was full of scorn.
with a delicate intuitiye sense tha
would have done honor TO men in fine
clothes and a loftier sphere, Waite
Gibbs changed the subject with the re
mark L have the book of yours tha
l borrowed in nay pocket, Miss RacheI
There were scraps Of paper in 1t an
some bits of faded flowers. l hay
saved them all, and return them wit
the book
Thank you, 1t did not signify
Rachel replied lndinerently.
She turned the leaves of the blue an
Gilt volume with The uneasy motion
restless hands, and then dropped froI
the gilded leaves the faded flower
They were all alike, mere bits Of plr
ccloring on a wooden stem-pnk N
so deep as the color that glowed {
Rachel Monatt's cheeks at sight of Il
flowers.
1t is the Ceris Cdnadenis. Juda
tree her companion remarked, pickr
up one Of the fallen bits and pulling
Z to pieces.
The Judas-tree echoed Racli
Moflatt, all her tones full Of scornl
wonder.
!, Yes the young man said, answ'
y ing the wonder in her tones. In I
2 spring it is tree Of promise, with
a rugged branches crowded full OF bic
SONS but the blossoms die, and the
is never fruit or beauty in .iulhllment
T its sprlngtme promise. There is b
one in the village that | know OF, a