The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-12-15

himself twas better so, and yet he had
hoped for some sign. He tarried as long
as he could make excuse in the hope of
seeing her but at last he mounted and
rode slowly away. AS he rode he looked
about him at the familiar farms and
meadows. He thought of the first time
he had 5, EN- them three months before.
He thought of the first time he had seen
Rachel, and his face grew tender over the
memory OF it.
Suddenly he looked up. The road was
winding over a hill with a steep BANK on
one side. The bank was crowned with
woods. but close to the edge were low
thickets of sweet fern, with here and
there CLINT of golden lo1. And there,
knee deep in the sweet green things that
seemed to sweep round her like tide,
stood Rachel Whitney.
He stopped and looked at her, almost
afraid to speak lest she should vanish.
Then he called her name softly. She
made no answer, but tiny white bios
som fell from her hands. He caught it
and looked at it eagerly; it was spray of
life everlasting. And though in that sec
ond she had vanished, and only the sweet
green tide swept over the hilltop, he rode
ON happily, for he had had his word from
Rachel Whitney.
Rachel lad turned and was walking
slowly through the woods. They We're
growing thin and dead leaves fell upon
her often, and the golden autumn sun
shine seemed to her cruelty hard and
bright She could not understand her
self. She trusted her lover with a trust
that was absolute, and yet the shadow of
great dread iell upon the weeks before
her
She was startled by merry laugh as
gil stepped out into the path beside her
The gill's round saucy face was as pink
as a wild rose, and the brown of her eyes
was like the brown of a leaf Swallowed
bro, k with the sunshine glinting through
1T, while hen hood, slipping from its place,
showed q little head, with brown curls
running Wild over it. For neither custom
nor reproof could transform Betty Allen
into staid Puritan maiden any more
than captivity could change a reed bird
into a dove. She laughed again as she
looked up into Rachel's face, and the
laughter sounded like bird notes through
the silent autumn woods.
$50, Mistress Rachel, l have unwit-
tingiy stumbled upon a secret.' she cried.
Rachel looked at her gravely. II know
not what you mean she said
Then I will tell you," answered Betty
nromptlv. "WLen all the village maids
assemble to tell John Dapfo,th farewell
only one is lacking. And when one meets
thai maid alone. GAZING down the road
where John Danforth PASSES and when
one sees her downcast face-tbere. there
Rachel meant not to tease thee So Nv
tongue ever runs away with me. Saw
thon wilt FORGIVE a foolish maid who is
not worth thy thought She had caught
Racbeps baud and the saucv brown ewes
were full of tears as she looked up at her
Rachel smiled down into the pleading
face. for none could resist Betty Allen
..There is never talk Of forgiveness he.
tween me and thee. Betty. and that thou
knowest. and Notwithstanding thy hoht
talk know NV secret couId be hidden in
no more LOYAL heart, Some day thou will
love Betty. and then thou wilt he seri-
Gus
Betty shook her head nositively ..Nav
that shall not. know not wbatails me
Rachel. When see the lads A signing and
casting sheeu's ewes at me. | do hut tease
them to cure them of their folly. sup-
pose shall marry sometime. every maid
must: but to be in love. to be all ion if one
he present, and in all misery if he b., away.
that likes me not. fear me I have No
heart ut All. Rachel
she looked up with her laughing ewes,
and vet thele was wistful cu1ve abnn'
her ilps that contradieted her ewes. Yet
she knew it not. and only iauohcd and
shook RacleI's hand, and sayirg nersis-
tentlv. Am heartiess. EMeheI9'
NAV. ask thy OWE heart that question
not me. - answered Rachel And suddenly