Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-03-05

ly, but shouldn t think she would like to !;
wear flowers of the Judas-tree. Don't
you knOw?'' she asked, answering the IN
curing look of her husband, "that is the.
name of the tree that bears those pink
flowers. am great botanist; don't you
know that my darling?' hi
The darling colored. seeing Rachel Moi
fatt and the pink flowers, and rememb er-
ing certain words uttered beneath the
shadows Of the pink branches. A3ss
Rachel Mcffatt was study to another
man at George Reynolds reception. Wal
ter Gibbs eyes followed her wherever she
moved, and he went home thinking OF the
mystery of womanhood as it revealed it
self in Rachel Moffatt and pink flowers.
The Judas tree had never blossomed
once when George Reynolds and his wife
came to Medbury to live. VII
ssGeorge don't get on so we'll az could
expect,'' Squire Reynolds said: and Mrs.
Reynolds limited to half a dozen neighbors,
hoping it would 60 no further than be-
tween herself and the one with whom she
talked. that Georges wife was we'll
meaning, good hearted little creature. but
bless her heart she didn't know the first
thing about housekeeping, and she hadn't
any knack at making the most CT her
means.
George Reynolds wife sent for Rachel
Moffatt one day. II would have come
down myself, she apologized, but really l
was not able;" and Rachel, looking into
her face, saw that the pink had all faded
out, leaving only the whiteness of the pre-
vious year. 'You see, DEAR" she went on
| with winning frankness, II 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 Moffatt, would you mind showing
me little. and see if I can't learn to
manage better and make Georges home
more comfortable? 1 thought l would
rather ask young person like you than
Georges mother event. 935a5ts
And so Rachel Moffatt found herself in
George Reynolds kitchen, instructing the
child-wife in the mystery of cooking and
trying to impart to her some of her 'rare
knack, as the people called it.
One day, as she came out of the little
cottage and took her way toward her own
home, a gentlemen passed her on horseback.
| Looking up, she saw man with full beard
and good hgure; a stranger she thought him
until he wheeled about and exclaimed.
You're not running from your shadow
again, are you, Miss Rachel?" And the
stranger was no other than Walter Gibbs
Rachel laughed this time without effort.
.sThey were harmless things, as you said"
she replied; and then she inquired kindly
after his health and stay at Medbury.
81 presume strangers occupy the cottage
yonder?" Walter Gibbs remarked, point
ing to the cottage Rachel had just left.
.sGeorge Reynolds lives there" Rachel
answered. II have been up to assist Kate
Mrs. Reynolds-in canning fruit"
feature change. Either her mask was
perfectly worn, or that look had ceased to
be mask.
| Walter Gibbs during his stay in Medbu-
~ fell into his old habit of walking in
Rachel Moffatt's shadow. Looking into
her face as on that evening year before,
he missed the resignation it had worn
then, for now it was real pleasure.
One day he sought her with a strange
nervousness and abstraction in his man
ner. Rachel was very grave, too, and
| Walter Clubs saw that she had been weep
ing. He looked into her face with the
tender solicitude that only men who love
and women who have been loved know,
and Rachel explained hastily. Did he not
know? Had he not heard? George Reyn-
olds' wife died suddenly that morning with
heart disease.
Walter Gibbs went home with the ner-
vous abstraction all gone from his man
ner, and hard endurance in his stead.
George Reynolds was free now, free to win
Rachel Moffatt if he could, and she who
loved him once was free to accept him. 81
couldn't be satisfied with doubtful love,''
he said; II will wait"
He waited until the Judas trees were in
blossom again, and then he went to Med
bury. a{s
''It's waiting on Rachel Moffatt, George
Reynolds isl one of the Medbury gossips
told him. Sand his wife not under the
sod year yeti They were old school
mates. and knew each other from child
hood, and we used to 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 match now
George Reynolds is going to have tea
party next week, and that will show which
way the wind is blowing.' W
. Walter Gibbs went to George Reynolds
| tea drinking. He said to his mother he
3 would not miss it for fortune. Rache
Moffatt was there, walking now and then
with George Reynolds, and talking with
{ him ever and anon; but then it was Rach
r els habit to be kind to every one who came
> in her way. Late in the evening Walter
Q Gibbs missed her from the parlor. HI
0 looked around for George Reynolds, but
4 he, too, was gone. 1.-THE Medbury gossip
r was right" he thought. ''This tea party
. is showing which way the wind is blow
. ing" He walked to the window and look
I ed out, deserving Rachel Aof1Iatts Autter
i ing garmants down a winding path
f George Reynolds was by her side, and tnt
}; way they took was towards the SOUTH
Q Away off to the north the Judas tire,