Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-02-09
THE LILY'S QUEST.


By Naftsanisl Hawthorne. .st8s|
Two lovers, once upon time, had
planned little summer-house, in the
form of an antique temple, which it
was their purpose to conseorate TO all
manner of refined and innocent enjoy
ments. There they would hold pleas
ant intercourse with one another, and
the circle of their familiar friends;
there they would hear Eghtsome music
intermingled with the strains Of pathos
which make JOY more sweet; there they
would read poetry and fiction, and per-
NIT their own minds to fit away in
day.dreams and romance !; there, in
short-for why should we shape out
the vague sunshine of their hopes p
there all pure delights were to cluster
like roses among the pillars of the edi-
fee, and blossom ever new and spon-
taneonsly. So, one breezy and cloud
less afternoon, Adam Forester and
Lilias Fay set out upon ramble over
the wide estate which they were to pos
sess together, seeking proper site for
their Temple of Happiness. They were
themselves fair and happy spectacle,
fit priest and priestessfor such shrine
although, making poetry OF the pretty
name of Lilias, Adam Forester was
wont to call her Lily, because her form
was as fragile, and her cheek almost as
pale.
AS they passed, hand in hand, down
the avenue of dropping elms, that led
from the portal OF Lilias Fay's paternal
mansion, they seemed to glance like
winged creatures through the strips of
sunshine, and to scatter brightness
where the deep shadows fell. But,
setting forth at the same time with this
youthful pair, there was dismal figure,
wrapped in black velvet cloak that
might have been made of a coffin pal,
and with sombre hat, such as mourn
ers wear, dropping It's broad brim over
his heavy brows. CHANGING behind
them, the lovers we'll knew who it was
that followed, but wished from their
hearts that ne had been elsewhere as
being companion SO strangely insult
ed to their joyous GRAND. 1t was a
near relative of Lilias Fay, an old man
by the name of Walter Gascoigne, who
had long labored underline burden Of
a melancholy spirit, which was some
times maddened into absolute insanity,
and always had tinge of it. What a
contrast between the young pilgrims Of
bliss and their unbidden associate
They looked as if moulded of heaven 8
sunshine, aud he of earth's gloomiest
shade; they fitted along like Hope and
JOY, roaming hand in hand through
life; while his darksome figure stalked
behind, type of all the woefuI influ-
ences which life could fling upon them.
But the three had not, gone far, when
they reached spot that pleased the
gentle Lily, and she paused. ~
"What sweeter place shall we fine
than thisa" said she. "Why should
We seek farther for the site of our Tenn
ple?" -sog ieYsg asiasal ia1es9
It was indeed delightful spot o.
earth, though undistinguishedsb by an,
very prominent beauties, being merely
a nook In the shelter of q hill, with thu
prospect of a distant lake in another
direction, andio q church spire in an
other. There were vistas and pathway.
leading onward and onward into the
green woodlands, and vanishing away
in the glimmering shade. The TEN
pie, if erected here, would look toward
the west, so that the lovers could shape
all sorts of magnificent dreams out Of
the purple, violet, and gold of the sun
set sky; and few of their anticipated
pleasures were dearer than this sport Of
fantasy. W ii 8.
EYES," said Adam Forester, s'wt
might seek all day, and find no lovelie1
spot. We will build our Temple
here" ao.uos aa asa ri
But their sad old companion, who
had taken his stand on the very site
which they proposed to cover with q
marble floor, shook his head and
frowned; and the young man and the
Lily deemed it almost enough to blight
the spot, and desecrate it for their airy
Temple, that his dismal figure had
thrown its shadow there. He pointed
10 some scattered stones, the remnants
of q former structure, and to flowers
sueh AZ young girls delight to nurse