The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-11-15
A MODERN
MAUD MULLER

Rachel had been preserving strawbef-
rtes. She pasted the last little slip Oh
white on the last small jar with a vigor
GUS pat, dropped her hands In her Lag
and let her gaze wander for moment out
through the wide kitchen window to the
wheatfiold that stretched beyond the or
chard. There was pensive look In he's
gray eyes, and when gentle voice called
her By name the girl started.
"What Is II, mothefT' she answered q
the delicate little lady who paused In the
doorway leading from the dining room 70.
peated her name second time
"Aren't you almost through fixing up
your preservesf 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 a little bust-
ness, and there is lady In the carriage
with him"
a crimson wave swept over RachePs
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-
Ghu uuAE IL Ol q OC1iuu
the door. Very quickly clear glass
pitcher was filled with an Icy drins and
ready to serve
What Judge Weldon saw as he sat b
his carriage on the highway that ran By
the farm was slim, sweet girl 10 light
cotton frock, with n fair oval face lighted
by a pair Of expressive eyes aud small
head crowned with soft brown hafY COM
ing down the rose bordered walk holding
In one strong young hand pitcher and In
the other a small tray with glasses He
leaned bach 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
30 studied carefully the little figure as II
came nearer and nearer: Rachel paid no
heed 20 either the Judge or his companion
until she directed one swift glance at her
father, which showed that his face was
troubled. Then R0chei bowed 10 TIE
fudge.
Here father" she said o. she handed
him the pitcher and put the little silver
waiter with its burden down on the stSls'
and was about 30 turn away.
"Wait moment. Miss Rachel called
Judge Weldon; Il want to introduce sou
to Miss Seaton.H
Rachel bowed tn her oueenfy little way
In acknowledgment Of the Introduction,
and a scornful smile played around the
corners Of the Older voman's mouth,
which Rachel would easily have detected
had she been hooking DIP As her father
stood quietly by and did not Gil the glass
es- as Rachel expected him 70 DO, she
promptly became the hospftaofe hostess
and toOR his place
She handed q brimming glass TO the
Judge, who leaued foEwerd and tooA II,
passing Il In to Hiss Scaton. That lady
held 1t aloft In her sna!i 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 ripple Of laughter:
Thanks" eaid the fudge, 70 sweeteT 6rsfl
From faires hnnd vas never q,afed-"
Rachel smiled forced little smile and
fancied shs saw o shadow Of Q trowp Cd
the judges face.
what a beautiful place you have
here" said Miss seaton-"an ideal farm
house and such lovely roseel suppose II
has taken a great many years to improve
a country place 10 much as this Is.
Yes" rachel said: I'VE have lived
here always-toneer than I can reule1n-
Der. II was my grandmother's place.
"IndeedT' And Miss Seaton raised her
brows questioning,y.
Oh, how Rachel hated the woman. She
knew that she hated her EickedlY and
wondered how Miss. Seaton dared TO as
sumo that she was ignorant OF the pertic-
ulars OF the place when It wac al due to
her persistent efforts to secure the OLE
farm that she and her father we're, 30
deeply troubled. The delicate little moth
er as yet knew nothine Of the possibility
OF their losing oil they had because Of q
flaw In the title and a claim that the land
belonged to the heirs Of a wealthy. old,
misery bachelor who had died many
years before her grandfather bought the
place, Rachel was her fathers standby
and confdant II would be time enough
to tell the little mother all about Il when
worse came TO the worst.
Judge Weldon represented Miss Sea.
ton In the matter. though be was Q fair
chefs father that be would not push the
claim Of his client unduly.
AS the judge drove down the road to-
"dTu OcASlIAcl. kiuSS bAAs
or two to the wes., Rachel slipped her
arm through bet fathers, and togetaaf
they walked slowly to the house.
"Well, little 9Th, we win not worry.
Judge Weldon Is an honest man. und we
may trust him TO act fairly
"Dut that woman, father; I hate her.
and they say that Judge Weldon to to
marry her shortly, and. Of coorsa you
know. be win consides her interests be-
fore ours
Tut, tut, chfldr' suia the kindly man
beside her. I'VE must never be too harsh.
and we nsed not believe al we hear
either"
TT WIS teatfrns next day. Rachers
father stood ON the side porch mstrueting
several farmhands IN the worn be 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. Al
his heels was q graceful young grey
hound. Rachel sat still, with her hands
tightly ciasped. She was sure there was
something new to disturb her father.
The fudge came toward Rachel with an
outstrrtched hand, and as Rachel pun
forth hers he helped her to arise, with a
pleasant little laugh. and there was such
a suggestion Of strength tn HE GRASP the
girl felt sure a that moment that be was
the handsomest and most noble looking
man Of 40 she had ever eeen-
eft was 90 pleasant after the rain that
! thought I would walk over and bid you
oil guodby, as leave for Europe the day
after tomorrow"
Rachel's heart give little jump. She
knew instinctively that II was to be a
wedding journey.
The Judge seated himself on the steps,
and Rachel resumed her place. Her fa-
ther sat In wicker chair at the edge Of
the porch, and Rachel leaned her head
against his kuees. Somehow she felt that
when she was close to him the very touch
of her would help him TO bear any hard
ship that might develop. But the judge
hod MT anna N foik husinpcs All of ~