Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-04-25

In the morning, at an early hour. the carriage
of the Bands wa, at the door of Mr. Chester's
residence, and Auna, after introducing her cousin
Walter, who was delighted to join the party was
soon with them upon the road. rsls,i "a
The place which had been selected for holding
the picnic, was upon the brow OF small noun
tain in the neighborhood, easily accessible, and
very appropriate to the purpose from the great
natural beauties it afforded, and the pains prevl-
ously taken to make the spot otherwise eligible.
Arriving, they found gay party already as
sembed with countenances animated and glow
inc from their early exercise. - !.
! Anna soon discovered that Ernest Wentworth
was with the party. And he was then the 'fur-
| ~. second cousin who was to marry Nanny
| Bland" and for whose benefit the picnic was
proposed He had gone the evening before to a
village in the vicinity, promising to be on the
| mountain in the morning. His manner, IN CIV
inc Anna the usual salutation was similar TO what
liz had been in the city, marked perhaps by
little more reserve and formality. She felt
there was some mystery existing which at one
Ilime might have been explained away perhaps,
and their kindly friendship restored; but pride
and delicasy both iorbidding her to make any ad-
vances, she only determined for herself TO avoid
as much as possible his society during the day
and to give herself no concern the matter there
after.
1t was one of those bright and beautiful morn
inqs, so peculiar to this region, to be seen after
dawniug of heavy fog. The sun had just issued
from his drapery Of clouds, and with radiant beams
was gladdening the earth. The fog had not en-
ktirely vanished, and here and there over the land
scape, light curling wreaths were ascending to-
wards heaven-nature's morning incense all balmy
with the fragrant perfume Of bud and blossom.-
Still smaller fragments Of the cloudy mist, inger-
ing among the TALL tree-tops, beneath the intn-
ence of the SUMS quickening rays, were formed
into sparkling dew-drops, and gdttered IN bright
coronals about the brow OF many giant pine
The woody hills were vocal with the maiin
HYMNS of nature's warblers, aud the dropping
flow 'rets lifted their tender heads, to offer through
their dewy tears smile of welcome to the morn
ing. :,
The day passed pleasantly, with all the incl
dents appropriate and customary tosuch occasions,
and which our readers can well supply for them
selves The grsgarious disposition of the morn
| inp gradually subsidized towards evening into q
manifest inclination Of resolving the groups into
pairs and if the rude rocks and the gnared trees
had tongues, many tale might they tell of the
soft words whispered on that evening to not an
willing ears. h was arranged that the return
home Should be by the light Of the full moon. ev-
or So clear aud bright in that pure mountain at
m0Sphere. M
Walter Howard and Many, between whom
there seemed something of that Mysterious natu
raj sympathy which almsst iutuitively kindles
friendship in kindred minds, were stroiing hand
lin hand over the mountain rocks t-i,t. -Is g
Anna wandering alone, sought secluded mass
of messy stone, that she had observed projecting
on the western side Of the mountain, and where
she had favorable point to view the setting sun
on fair DAYS scene of such peculiar beauty
throughout this favored Valley region Seated
in her rude resting place she was somewhat star
tied to observe Ernest Wentworth standing few
Yards distant on juting rock, and as yet all un-
conscious of her near presence, so absorbed did
he seem ia the glowiag scene. The sun was
slowly wheeling his broad disc behind the tall
pines upon the westera hills and spreading the
shadows of the lofty peaks like bronding spirits o.
ver the green fields below the meanderng eours
es Of he rivers of the valley could yet be traced
! 10y the gleams of reflected sunlight, glancng from
the waters through the thick foliage that fringed
their banks,-the mOuntain-birds were quietly
wingiag their way back to nestle amoSg their ma
tive crags and the evening airs, signing among
the branchiag pines, pleaded melodousiy with
the tinkling Of thousand bells herds turned at
this season to Craze amid the 'mountain range -
while for fair drapery to the picture, the winds
eddying around the mountains bounding This beau
tiful valley, had piled up huge masses OF crimson
clouds that hung round the evening sky "like
banners from the battlements of heaven"
/ Wentworth soon discovered Anna, and as re-
treat on the part Of either would be uncomely, he
Joined her. I'D,
III is seldom, Miss Eastland," said he, "that
we see such beautiful sunsets anywhere as seem
peculiar to this Valley Perhap. it may be ow-
ing somewhat to the peculiar topography of this
region the direction of the mountain ridges throw
ing the evening shadows in grotesque shapes a.
crOss the vale; the fog when protected frota the
winds, spreading hike shroud along the moan
tain or when the winds blow, heaped up by the
fretted current into huge masses that take thou.
sand varying colors from the rays of the setting
sua the lesser hills too peering up through the
foo like islets Of the sea, and inany other features
Of beauty belonging only to such conformation of
landscape" t .. lta
But sunset in spring." added Anna, sis
beautiful anywhere, is it not, Mr.. Wentworth !;
certainly So 10 him who in the loec of Nature
holds communion with her visible fvrms,' like
Bryant, and doubtless like yourself"
Wentworth paused for few moments, gazing
iutenty upon her face, so expressive of trne app
probation of the scene; strugg lie seemed to be
going on in his mind, ,-resuming, in saddened
tone, he sasd: .l .Us ,f.H
Il know not why it is, Miss Anna, but this
hour of twilight, especially amid such scenes as
now surround us,always affects me most sensibly
The Solemn stiffness Of the air; the dim religious