Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1901-09-12
A MODERN
MAUD MULLER

GUS pat, dropped her hands IN her lap
and let her gaze wander for moment out
through the wide kitchen window to the
wheatfield that stretched beyond the or
chard. There was n pensive look in her
gray eyes, and when a gentle voice called
her by name the girl started.
what is it, mother" she answered as
the delicate little lady who paused in the
doorway leading from the dining room re-
peated her name a second time.
Aren't you almost through fixing up
your preserves? Your father said that he
would like you to bring out a pitcher of
lemonade to the stile. Judge Weldon
has just driven over to talk q little busi-
ness, and there is a lady in the carriage
with him"
A crimson wave swept over RacheFs
face Hastily she stood up, pulled down
her sleeves and buttoned them about her
wrists. Yes, mother, | will, right
away" she said as she united her ging-
ham apron and hung it on peg behind
the door. Very quickly a clear glass
pitcher was filled with an icy drink and
ready to serve.
What Judge Weldon saw as he sat in
his carriage on the highway that ran by
the farm was n slim, sweet girl in light
cotton frock, with n fair oval face lighted
by pair Of expressive eyes and small
head crowned with soft brown hair COM
ing down the rose bOrdered walk holding
in one strong young hand a pitcher and in
the other small tray with glasses. He
leaned back in his seat and watched the
girl as she approached. The woman be-
side him leaned forward. She had heard
of Rachel Sheldon a good deal Of late and
so studied carefully the little figure as il
came nearer and nearer. Rachel paid no
heed to either the judge or his companion
until she directed one swift glance at her
father, which showed that his face was
troubled. Then Rachel bowed to the
judge.
Here father" she said as she handed
him the pitcher and put the little silver
waiter with its burden down on the stile
and was about to turn away.
"Wait moment, Miss Rachel" called
Judge Weldon; Il want to introduce you
to Miss Seaton."
Rachel bowed in her Queenly little way
in acknowledgment Of the introduction,
and a @cornful smile played around the
corners of the older wOman's mouth,
which Rachel would easily have detected
had she been looking up. As her father
stood quietly by and did not fill the glass
es, as Rachel expected him to do, she
promptly became the hospitable hostess
and took his place.
She handed a brimming glass to the
judge who leaned forward and took it,
passing it in to Miss Seaton. That lady
held it aloft in her small and shapely
hand and waited until the judge was sup
piled and then said in a voice that was
more tinged with sarcasm than pleas
antry, although the quotation was accom-
panied with a ripple of laughter:
Thanks" said the judge, "a sweeter draft
From fairer hand never quafed'
Rachel smiled forced little smile and
IauCicd she sav- a shadow of n frown on
the judges face.
What n beautiful place you have
here" said Miss Seaton-"an ideal farm
house and such lovely roses! l suppose it
has taken n great many years to improve
a country place SO much as this is"
Yes" Rachel said; I'VE have lived
here always-longer than l can remem-
Der. 1t was my grandmother's place"
"Indeed?" And Miss Seaton raised her
brows questioningly.
Oh, how Rachel hated the woman. She
knew that she hated her wickedly and
wondered how Miss Seaton dared to as
sumo that she was ignorant of the partic-
ulars of the place when it was all due to
her persistent efforts to secure the old
farm that she and her father were so
deeply troubled. The delicate little moth
er as yet knew nothing of the possibility
Of their losing all they had because Of
haw in the title and claim that the land
belonged to the heirs of a wealthy, old,
miserly bachelor who had died many
years before her grandfather bought the
place Rachel was her fathers standby
and confdant. 1t would be time enough
to tell the little mother all about it when
worse came to the worst.
Judge Weldon represented Miss Sea-
ton in the matter, though he was fair
and generous man and had assured Ra-
chefs father that he would not push the
claim of his client unduly.
AS the judge drove down the road to-
ward his beautiful country place mile
os two TO the west, Rachel slipped her
arm through her fathers, and together
they walked slowly to the house.
"WelI, little girl. we will not worry.
Judge Weldon is an honest man, and we
may trust him to act fairly"
But that woman, father; / hate her,
and they say that Judge Weldon is to
marry her shortly, and, Of course, you
know, he will consider her interests be-
fore ours"
tut, tut, childw said the kindly man
beside her. 1--WE must never be too harsh,
and we need not believe all we hear
either"
1T was teatime next day. Rachers
father stood on the side porch instructing
several farmhands in the work he want
ed them to do the next day. Rachel sat
on the steps at his feet. Coming over the
stile just then was the tall, strong and
loosely hung figure of Judge Weldon. At
his heels was a graceful young grey
hound. Rachel sat still, with her hands
tightly claspcd. She was sure there was
something new 10 disturb her father.
The judge came toward Rachel with an
outstretchcd hand, and as Rachel put
forth hers he helped her to arise, with a
pleasant little laugh, and there was such
a suggestion Of strength in his grasp the
girl felt sure Rt that moment that he was
the handsomest and most noble looking
man Of 40 she had ever seen.
'It was so pleasant utter the rain that
l thought | would walk over and bid you
oil goodby, as | leave for Europe the day
after tomorrow"
Rachel's heart gave a little jump She
knew inStinCtively that it was to be a
wedding journey.
The judge seated himself on the steps,
and Rachel resumed her place Her ia
ther sat in a wicker chair at the edge Of
the porch, and Rachel leaned her head
against his knees. Somehow she felt that
when she was close to him the very touch