Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-01-21

but really was not able ! and Rachel,
looking into her face, saw that the
pink had all faded out, leaving only the
whiteness Of the previous year. You
see, DEAR she went on, with vim ing
frankness, L wasn't brought up to-
anything useful, and the housekeeping
don't go right, and George and have
moved out, thinking we could manage
better, and it would be better for the
baby. remember what beautiful lady
cake you made for our reception, and the
praises that were in everybody's
mouth about your cooking. And now,
my dear Miss Mofatt, would you mind
showing me little, and see it L can't
learn to manage better, and make
Georges home more comfortable? /
thought 1 would rather ask young
person like you than Georges mother,
even.'
And so Rachel Moffatt found herself
in George Reynolds kitchen, instruct
ing the child-wife in the mystery oI
cooking and trying 10 impart TO her
some of her rare knack,' as the peo'
pie call it.
One day, as she came out OF her little
cate and took her way toward her own
home. gentleman passed her on horse
back. Looking up, she saw man
with a full beard and good figure; a
stranger she thought him, until he
wheeled about and exclaimed. You're
not running from your shadow again
are you, Miss Rachel?' Aud the stran-
ger was no other than Walter Gibbs.
Rachel laughed this time without
effort.
They were harmless things, as you
said,' she replied and then she inqulr-
ed kindly after his health and stay at
Medbury.
L presume strangers occupy the cot
tage yonder?' Walter Gibbs remarked,
pointing to the cottage Rachel had just
left.
George Reynolds lives there, Rachel
answered. L have been up to assist
Kate-Mrs. Reynolds-in canning
fruit
Rachel Moaatt's face did not color
or a feature change. Either her mask
was perfectly won, or that look had
ceased to be a mask.
Walter Gibbs, during his stay in
Medbury fell into his old habit Of walk
ing in Rachel Mofatt's shadow. Look
ing into her face as on that evening a
year before, he missed the resignation
it had worn then, for it was real pleas
ure.
One dav he sought her with a strange
nervousness and abstraction in his
manner. Rachel was very grave, too
and Walter Gibbs saw that she had
been weeping. He looked into her face
with the tender solicitude that only
men. who love and women who have
been loved know, and Rachel explain
ed hastily. Did he now know? Had
he not heard? George Reynolds wife
died suddenly that morning with heart
disease.
Walter Gibbs went home with the
T nervous abstraction all gone from his
manner, and hard enduranceIt It's
stead. George Reynolds was free now,
free to win Rachel Moh'utt If he could,
and she who loved him once was free
T to accept him. L couldn't be satisli-
ed with a doubtful love- he said l
/. will wait
He waited until the Judas-trees were
ia blossom again, aud then he went 10
Medbury.
IT'S waiting OH Rachel Mofatt,
George Reynolds is one OF the Med
bury gossips told him. And his wife
not under the sod year yet! They
were old school. mates, and knew each
other from childhood, and we used 10
think It would make match before he
ever married that little helpless city
girl. and haven't any doubt in my
mind but it will make a match now.
George Reynolds is going to have tea
party next week, and that will show
which way the wind is blowing.
Walter Gibbs went to George Rey-
nelc's tea drinking. He sad to his
mother be would not miss 1t for a tor
tune. Rachel Mofatt was there, walk
ing now and then with George Rey'
nolds, and talking with HIM ever and
anon but then it was Rachel's habit to
be kind to every one who came in heI
way. Late in the evening Walter miss
ed her from the parlor. He looked
around for George Reynolds, but he
too. was gone. The Medbury gossip
was right he thought This tea par
ty is showing which way the wind is
blowing. He walked to the window
and looked out, descryiRg Rachel
Mofatt's futtering garments down
winding path. George Reynolds was
by her side, and the way they took was
towards the south. Away of the north
the Judas-tree stretched out its plnl
branches in the moonlight. The
wind sets unfasorably,' Walter Gibbs
j said, with a sigh.
Half an hour later George Reynolds
passed Walter in the hall. His bro"
b. was clouded and his lips worked ner'
X yously. He looks like one on whom
J. the north wind has blown Walter
: Gibbs thought. and went in pursuit o