Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-11-15
Rachel Moffatt's Shadow.

Sweet maid Of my bosom,
To that bower wilt thou fly7
Rachel Moffatrs Shadow.
Reuben Moffatt and Kezia. his wife,
received triplet of white wedding cards
from the hands of their daughter Raj
chel, and fell into serious chat over the
bits of card board. George Reynolds,
the groom, was discussed with positive
knowledge. gained by, acquaintance
with him from boyhood. Kate Maui
rice, the bride, was discussed with the
speculative knowledge that character
Rachel Moffatt had left the room
while George Reynolds was under dis
cussion, and her mothers careful eye
had observed that there was surprise,
anger, almost tears in the girls face.
7 say, Reuben began the good mans
wife, after Rachel had gone.
YES assented Reuben Mofatt, signi-
flying 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 Reu-
ben Mofatt's answer. My attention
goes a good deal that way naturally:
TO be sure,' answered Kezia Moftatt.
How could it be otherwise, andyou the
father of such girl as our Rachel? l
am sure I wonder that a young man like
George Reynolds should look farther
than such trim, handsome girl as Ra-
chel is, and he knows all about her
housekeeping. too.'
Look farther and fare worse is an
old proverb, you know, said Kesia Moi.
fatt, with anger in her eyes and tones.
Il am sure 1 hope Rachel will get over
it and 60 to the party
Get over it?' repeated Reuben Moi
fatt. You don't mean that Rachel
-W The old man paused and sur
veyed bis wife critically.
KeZia Moffatt nodded her head affirm
atively.
oh, nonsense, Keziar exclaimed the
old man. You feel unpleasant like be-
cause George Reynolds should prefer
any other woman to our Rachel. It's
my opinion that Rachel hadn't a thought
of George Reynolds, except
A shadow fell on the porch and the
old man suddenly changed the subject
of his remarks.
The shadow that had fallen on the
porch was Rachel Moffatt's. 1t followed
the young girl across the green fields
where she walked, magnifying her sum
bonnet into an unshapely thing anG
lengthening her slight figure into ex-
ceedingly lank proportions.
Which way, Miss Rachel? Are yot
running away from your shado-7 :?
asked young man, stepping out from
a tree that stood midway in the field
Rachel Moffatt gave sudden glance
at her shadow, and said with an effort
I'VE can't escape them any more thai
we can our thoughts
It's lucky for us they are harmless
things answered the young man witt
q smile, L shouldn't think you woul(
want to escape your thoughts, Miss Ra
chel. I'm sure I shouldn't And i
you have no objection 1 will walk il
your shadow, as you seem to be going
my way
Rachel Moffatt bowed, but the young
man, glancing into her face, saw tina
she accepted his company with resigna
ton.
L presume you have received Georg'
Reynolds cards ?" said the young man
with pause.
'Yes,' Rachel answered gravely.-
They are very stylish, she added, will
an effort.
Miss Maurice is said to be wealthy,
the young man continued.
'Ah!' Rachel exclaimed, with a cur
of the lips that was full of scorn.
With a delicate, intuitiye sense tina
would have done honor to men in fine
cloths and a loftier sphere, Waite
Gibbs changed the subject with the re
mark: Il have the book of yours that
horroxrad IN nj Mics Roohn1
There were scraps of paper in it ant
some bits of faded flowers. Ihave save,
them all, and return them with tn
book
Thank you, it did not signify Ra
chel replied indifferently.
She turned the leaves of the blue ant
gilt volume with the uneasy motion O
restless hands, and then dropped from
the gilded leaves the faded flower
They were all alike, mere bits of .pinl
coloring on wooden stem-pink not 81
deep as the color that gIOwed on Rache
Moffatt's cheeks at sight of the flowers
1T is the Ceris Canadenis Judas tree,
her companion remarked, picking VI
one of the fallen bits and pulling it tt
pieces.
The Judas treev echoed Rache
Moffatt, all her tones full of scornfu
wonder.
yes the young man said, apswerin,
the wonder in her tones. In the Spring
it is tree of promise, with its rugged
branches crowded full of blossoms, bu
the blossoms die, and there is neve
fruit or beauty in fulfillment of it
springtime promise, There is but on
in the village that I know of, and tina
is in Squire Reynolds garden
Looking up to see if Rachel Moffat
remembered the tree, Walter Gibbs be
came painfully conscious that his re
mark had dyed her face with tellstal'
bushes, and the tale they told was abou
George Reynolds. Then he remem
bered how he bad forced his company
upon her and his conscience smote hin
when he thought how his careless world
might have added to the trouble of tn
girl he loved, At least she should b.
relieved from the annoyance of his so
ciety, and with a Sigh he remarked
1T WIS uncivil for me to join you
Miss Rachel, when you came out Il
walk alone I beg your pardon. Ane
as I have an errand down to the Widow
Browns and am going around that way
1 will leave you here
L would be glad to have your compa
uy, AsoOACA mVdhtb IClt COuoUAoAACu "
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 pool
blind have been.'
The woman whose happiness George
Reynolds had trifled with so wantonly
walked slowly toward her home and
sat down on the little porch watching
the moon come up. She overheard bel
fathers words as he talked to bel
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 Rachel will find better
fish than George Reynolds, if he does