Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-06-06


again-1oward that dearest one of all
who was to have been his wife. In
that last request for her Rachel read
his silent commentator of her to he
regard of his friends. How had it
been observedp
Her young helpers went home in
peace, bu r .chers heart was heavy.
At night her father asked to sec the
banner and she brought it forth. H.
looked at it with tender pleasure,
proud and glad that his brother should
be held in honored remembrance by
tho towns-folks. Rachel stood little
shielded by the banner, but when she
set it aside and came toward her
father: behold tho tears were stream
ing down her face.
why, Rachel!' he said in distress,
''what is the matter?'
Il can not give that banner, father"
sac whispered, lit seems to me a
mockery to honor him only with that!
Oh, father. I want to do somethip e
for Miss Ryerson. Iwant she should
have the pasture he asked to have
given hcr: How can we have happy
hearts Memorial Day, when the:one he
loved is not friends with us. when she
has no friends?" and Rachel sobbed
aloud for grief
Her father was angry. '"Ihis is
morbid and hysterical NONSENSE" lie
said. You are outdone with your
work and had better go to bed"
And so she did, praying sorrowfully
for Adeline Ryerson, ere she slept
lat least will 60 to see her before
Memorial Day." She thought. Per
haps she will let me in when she sees
l love her.
So she fell asleep in peace. But her
father lay long awake. vexed and
restless. 1.-The land'' was saying
to himself-':I don't see how she de-
served it if she was engaged to Rich
ard. It's real silly girls notion
this of R,chers Who'd ever have
thought of it's being brought up
again. after all these years? I never
did like Adcline; no more did Uncle
John.'
All that was the secret of the injus-
tice! And the proud and sensitive
Adeline had known and felt it all
So William Guild had two moro un-
easy, discontented days. The third
was the one before Memorial Day.
Then he put OH his Sunday coat and
went down to the village.
Rachel betook herself to the woods
for laurel for tomorrow garlands.
At evening the house was full of the
flowers. and there was delicate flush
of excitement upon Rachcl's cheek
that mat ched them in color: Her
father coming in looked upon her
and loved her. She was like her
Uncle Richard. he thought-with just
such fresh complexion and thought
full gray eyes. The associations of
the time were strong upon him. 1t
seemed as if Richard might be only a
little way off. just gone to the spring.
or gone to see Aleline, likely to slip
in at the door any minute and kneel
with the rest at evening prayer
Was it this that gave Farmer Guild
such a happy look? Not altogether
He had folded paper. Il legal formal
bit of paper in his pocket, that was to
his soul rs these dedicated flowers
were to Rache!s. 1t was the tribute
he brought to lay upon his brother s
grave. 1t was a deed of the south
pasture to Adellne r ycrson.
'Will you do IN errand for me?' he
said to Rachel after supper Then he
put the paper in her hand. "Shc will
let you in, if amy body" he said.
You'll know what TO say better than
l. But tell her l ask her forgiveness
that didn't do it before; and ask her
to accept it for Richards sake
There was Il conflict of fear and iov
in Rachcl's heart rs she sped down the
road to Adclinc's house. She could
not but dread to break upon the isola-
ton that had been so rcsolutely MAIN
tanned. Very softly she turned the
gate on its rust-eaten hinges. and
stole past the perfume breathing lilacs
and syringas to the back door of the
house. Light as was her step itstartled
some one sitting upon the doorstep,
and a tall figure rose. rctreated into
the house and half closed the door.
From thence looking forth what did
Adelinc Ry erson see? The gray eyes
that had this moment haunted her
dreams as she sat alone in the spring
twilight; the same eyes in truth and
verify, and with the same expression
of earnest. pleading love 10 oking forth
from them upon her Should she not
know them again. though they had
been closed in dust these twenty
ycarsP They were the same. though
they looked not now from the face of
bearded youth, but from that of a
fresh young maiden who spoke in
sweet, simple confidence that matched
her gaze.
Il am Rachel Guild" she said. Il
have wanted to come and sec you fox
long time. You can think why,
dear Miss Ryerson. 1t is because
have heard so much about my Uncle