The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-03-15

plunge iurther into the tangled forest, AND
the cool plashing Of water near preluded
the vision Of the wonderful cave, with its
romantic accessories OF overhanging rocks
and pendulous creepers, while just above a
wild mountain brook flung its sparkling
wrcaths over crag and cliff, and ended its
mad play in fairy cataract, whose gleam-
ing rain made music for the busy woodland
sprites. Here and there q sparkle Of gold
poised on the quivering birch stems, or light
ed the dark yerdure OF some fragile brake,
while over all murmured the solemn wind
and the scene was one Of enchantment.
With rapturous ordinations, one after
another Of our little group settled upon some
mossy rock OF aged tree trunk, where the
peculiar charm of the fanciful picture could
best be seen and felt and had the genius OF
the place gazed out from some nodding bios
som, or leaned from the leafy thicket to OBJ
serve his unwonted guests, doubt if he
could have quarrcllcd with the intrusion
MargeIy's queenly figure and brilliant face
Alice, whose heightened bloom outrivalled
the hue of the flowers she had been crowned
with by her handsome attendant, land as he
raised his head to look ut her | thought
had never admired young Peytou Us much }
and in the background Willis and myself,
who made up in life what we lacked in beau
ty.
With such vivid paintings memory loves
to deck her halls yet can one lifetime fur
nish but few of these. The first sight of the
ocean, infiuite in its changclul splcndor-of
the mountains, calm and grand rs q purified
soul washed of its humanity-of the woods.
with their yoiceful silence-epochs are they
in the expansion Of every deep nature.
The woods, solemn, and deep and tender,
filled with vague sounds and scents that
thread the blue air dreamiy. Talk of soli-
tudc here as when at night, shutting him
sell into his chamber, one says, Il am alone
and straightway, as if to mock his words,
Memory and Fancy rise up, peopling the
shadowy void with their shifting phantasms.
The life of the world, its restraints, and un-
reality, fall from the soul in such houls.-
There is charm more subtle in the haunted
silence than that which touches by external
sgns-a presence, in itself u reyealer, ancints
the blind eyes, and they see not rs men, but
as God sees. 1t was not sadness, rather Its
faint, vague foreshadowing Of unrest which
touched my heart. and impellcd me, after a
time, to leave behind the jarring discord OF
human lightncss, and plunge deeper into the
forest. Trampling the underbrush, which
cracked Mt each move, the echo of my own
footsteps rebounded werdly in this perfect
solitude. drank in new draughts ofstrangc,
intense pleasure, rs the great calm OF nature
EMBODIED me like mothers tenderness. But
time was passing; fragments Of cleaning
clouds, like argosics parting the sea of sun
set, shone above the tree tops; and hastily,
in some alarm lest my absence should occa-
sion anxiety, called Bruno, the house dog,
who had followed me pcrtinaciously through
the day, and commenced my return route
Brit one might as well attempt to pursue
some individual wave of the sea as the in
yolycd labyrinth of forest path, and Of this
| was convinced speedily. What was to be
done? | called. but only the winds replied,
and the nurmur of invisible life. Resolving
to trust the slgacty OF my dumb friend,
allowed him the precedence he seemed in
clined to take and following, knew not
where or how, had. ere long, the satisfaction
Of rcgaining wel-worn path once more.-I
Whether, by circuitous route, was to be
restored to my waiting friends, or led more
directly back to the highway, | could not
conjecture. On, and still on, my weary
feet travelled their unaccustoined journey,
and my hands still clasped the odorous, but
fading spoils OF my late research.
The gradual widening OF the path, and
the fuller light which illumined it, indicated
an approach to the end and STOPPING to Gu
ress the shaggy head beside me, | said, as
suringly, "almost home, Bruno, we must
bc." Raising my eyes again, q flashing
glance revealed to inc the actual termination
of tho woodland tract-a red gate. Con.
sternation and amusement, not unmingled
with sense of pleasure, for an instant flood
cd my mind. The mystery, long pondered,
was at last to be unveiled. Fate had placed
in my hands the key OF the same; in fact,
my only possible egress was by way OF the
Park avenues, and nothing remained for me
but to explain the accident which had befall-
On me, and procure aid from the servants at
the mansion. Deciding this, examined
the main entrance, and discovered beside
those portals which sturdily denied me ad-
mittancc, wicket gate, opening into the
shrubbery and, lifting the latch, entered
Eveleth Park.
Once more the forest aisles seemed beckon-
ing me into their endles, vistis-cool, and
dark, and mysterious. At any other time
| should have trcmbled with nervous dread
but buoyed up by the necessity laid upon
my will, hurried on. my good attendant
keeping close to my side and now and then,
a vein OF crimson beating through the en-
tangled shade cheered, like friendly smile,
my path. Eveleth Mansion! had follow
cd the long avenue till it lost itself in q
driveway sweeping past the lawn, and ex-
tending to some buildings in the rear of the
house. In this deceptive light all objects
were but lly-dcfncd, and save slender jet
Of silver which rose into the air with mur-
mur of liquid music, heard no sound.
Suddenly "the evening LAMPS were light.
ed" and from the tall windows their far.
reaching rays shot into the night. Library,
dawing-roOm. and hall, loomed up in mel
low relief. With timid football | ascendcd
the granite steps, and pausing before the
open door, listened IL my coming should
startle response from within. Nor had l
long to remain in suspense. A heavy clang,
rs ola door opening and shutting, and
firm, restless tread through the corridors oi
the hall beyond, thrilled me with sharp
dread. and u yearning 10 retreat, coward
like, from the very face Of the contest.
Pardon my intrusion-I had missed the
path, and become separated from my party
-
Come in-you look very weary you Will
be seated while hear your story
Less request than a mild command,
followed the voice which uttered u, anu
sank gratefully upon the first chair oIisrea s'si
me until then had been wholly regara'es,s
of the fatigue which now overwn.lllea ~.
most the power Of utterance. ferceNng
this, my strange host brought me glass OF
wine. and as raised to my lips n sudden
memory revived the tale OF an enchanted
dmuyit, which. under similar circumstances,
a princes. in the olden time had quaIed to
her sorrow-tbe penalty being that her life,
thenceforth, was linked with that Of wick.