Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-11-15

say to her?'
Rachel's mask threatened to fall. To
90 into George Reynolds home and
help to prepare for the reception of his
bride YVES blow for which she was not
prepared. Only moment and the tot
tering mask was up. Certainly, i'll
Mrs Reynolds should ask my help, I
would CO. Rachel answered. i would
be glad to CO. she added a moment af-
ter, as if 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, I expect, she said,
pausing in the midst of her culinary
operations to watch the whites OF eggs
rising in foam under Rachel Motfatt's
dexterous manipulations. And 1 ex-
pect she's very fine lady we're a-mak-
ing it for; but it's matter that would
not like to go no farther than between
us two, that I'd "a been satisfied If
George had picked out wife nearer
home; I'm sure I shouldn't a said .
word if she who is making the cake and
she who would eat the cake had been
the same identical individual.
Rachel's mask shook little, but she
was brave girl. 'Oh, I'm sure Georges
wife will be nice lady, and I dare say
we will all like her very much she
answered.
Rachel Moffatt's words were fully
verified. George Reynolds wife proved
to be very nice lady-a little delicate
creature, all pink and white. whom 1t
| was impossible not to like, because she
was thoroughly amiable and lovely.
Who is that lady in white, with the
| pink flowers in her hair?' asked the
bride of the bridegroom the evening of
their reception, as Rachel Moffatt en-
tered the room somewhat late. She
looks very lovely, but shouldn't think
she would like to wear flowers of the
Judas-tr Don'tlyou know !" she ask
husband, that is the name of the tree
that bears those pink flowers. 1 am q
great botanist; don't you know that, my
darling7'
The darling colored, seeing Rachel
Moffatt and the pink flowers, and re-
rendering certain words uttered be-
meath the shadows of the pink branch
es
Rachel Moffatt was study to another
man at George Reynolds reception
Walter Gibbs eyes followed her wher
ever she moved, and he went home
thinking of the mystery of womanhood
as it revealed itself in Rachel Mofatt
and pink flowers.
The Judas tree had never blossomed
once when George Reynolds and his
wife came to Medbury to live.
George don't get on SO well as / could
expect Squire Reynolds said and Mrs.
Reynolds limited to half dozen neigh
bors, hoping it would go no further than
between herself and the one with whom
she talked, that Georges wife was a
we'll meaning, good-hearted little crea-
ture, but bless her heart! she didn't
know the first thing about housekeep-
ing, and she hadn't any knack at MAX
ing the most of her means.
Georges Reynolds wife sent for
Rachel Moffatt one day. I would have
C me down myself, she apologized, but
really was not able > and Rachel, look
ing into her face, saw that the pink had
all faded out, leaving only the white
ness of the previous year. You see,
dear she went on with winning frank
} ness, 4 wasn't brought up to anything
useful, and the housekeeping don't go
right, and George and I have moved
out, thinking we could manage better,
and it would be better for the baby.
remember what beautiful lady cake you
made fol 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 q
little, and see i'll can't learn to manage
better and make Georges home more
comfortable? I thought would rather
ask young person like you Than
Georges mother even.
And or Roohol M0fofk found borco1f
in George Reynolds kitchen, instruct
ing 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
. gate and took her way toward her own
home, a gentleman passed her on horse
back Looking up, she saw man
with full beard and good figure; 9
stranger she thought him, until ht
; wheeled about and exclaimed, You're
not running from your shadow again
are you, Miss Rachel? And the strang'
er was no other than Walter Gibbs.
Rachel laughed this time without eff.
fort. They were harmless things, as
you said,' she replied and then she in
uired kindly after his health and stay
at Medbury.
Il presume strangers occupy the cot
tage yonder?' Walter Gibbs remarked,
pointing to the cottage Rachel had just
left.
George Reynolds lives there Rachel
, answered. i have been up to assist Kate
Mrs. Roynolds-in canning FRUIT
Rachel Moffatt's face did not color OF
feature change. Either her mask was
perfectly worn, or that look had ceased
to be q mask.
Walter Gibbs during his stay in Med
bury, fell into his old habit of walking
in Rachel Moffatt's shadow. Looking
before. he missed the resignation it had
worn then, for it was real pleasure.
! One day he sought her with strange
, nervousness anu abstraction in his man.
ner. 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 explained hastily
Did he not know? Had he not heard
George Reynolds wife died suddenly
that morning with heart disease.
Walter Gibbs went home with the
nervous abstraction all gone from his
manner, and hard endurance in it,
, stead. George Reynolds was free now,
free to win Rachel MOfatt if he could
and she who loved him once was free to
accept him. I couldn't be satisfied
with doubtful love- he said; Il will
wait
i He waited until the Judas trees were
in blossom again, and then he went to
Medbury.
| It's waiting on Rachel Moffatt,
George Reynolds is one of the Med
bury goseips told him. And his wife
not under the sod a year yet They
were old schoolmates, and knew each
other from childhood. and we used to
think it would make match before he
ever married that little helpless city
girl, and I haven't any doubt in my
mind but it will make match now
George Reynolds is going to have tea
i party nsxt week, and that will show
which way the wind is blowing
i Walter Gibbs went to George Rey-
nolds' tea drinking. He said to his
mother he would not miss it for for
tune. Rachel Moffatt was there, walk