The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-06-10

seemed to glance ike 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 was q dismal figure, wrapped
in black velvet cloak that might have been
made for coffin pail, and with somDre ha
such as mournerS wear, dropping It's Oroac
brlm over his heavy brows. CHANGING be
hind them the lovers well knew who 1t was
that followed, but wished from their hearts
that he had been elsewhere, as being com
panion so strangely unSultcu 20 their JoyOu:
Grand II was a near relative OF LlliaS Fay
an old man by the name of Walter Gascoigne
who had long laborcd under the burden of 0
melancholy spirit, which was sometimes
. maddened into absolute insanity, and always
had tinge of it, What contrast between
the Young pilgrims Of bliss and their unbid
den associate! They looked as If moulded
of heavens sunshine, and he OF earth s
cloomies. shades; they fitted along like
Hope and JOY, roaming hand Id hand through
life; while his darksome figure stalked be
hind a type of all the woetul influence which
he could fling upon them. But the three had
not gone far when they reached spot thai
pleased the gentle Lily, and they paused.
What swceter place shall we find than
this: said she. "Why should we seek far
Their for the site of our temple?'
1t was indeed delightful spot of earth
though undistinguished by any prominent
beauties, being merely a nook in the shelter
of hill, with the prospect of distant lake
in one direction, and u church spire IN an
other There were vstas and pathways lead
ing onward and onward into the green wood,
lands, anu vanishing away in the glimTer-
ing shade The temple, If erected here,
would lead towards the west, 50 that the
lovers could shape all sorts Of magnificent
dreams out of the purple, violet, and gold OF
the sunset sky; and few Of their anticipated
| pleasures were dearer than this sport of fan
| tasy.
Yes" said Adam Forester, ave might
seek all day, and find no loveler spot We
will build our temple here"
But their sad old companion, who had
taken his stand on the very site which they
proposed 10 cover with marble floor, shook
his head and frowned; and the young man
and the Lily deemed 1t almost enough to
blight the spot and desecrate 1t for their airy
temple, that his dismal figure had thrown It's
shadow there. He pointed 10 some scattered
stones the remains of former structure, and
to flowers such as young girls delight to
nurse III their gardens but which had now
relapsed into the wild simplicity of nature.
Not here" cried old Walter Gascoigne.
"Here long ago, other mOrtals built their
temple of happiness. Seek another site for
yours" q.
"Whatw exclaimed Lilias Fay Have
any ever planned such temple, save our
Selves"
"Poor child" said her gloomy knsman.
"In one shape or other, every mortal has
dreamed your dream"
Then he told the lover how-not, indeed,
an antique temple--but dwelling had once
stood there and that dark-clad guest had
dwelt among its inmates, sitting forever at
the flreslde, and poisoning all their house.
hold mirtb. Undcrthistype Adam Forester
and Lilias saw that the old man spoke of sor-
row. He told of nothing that might not be
recorded I'm the history of almost every house.
hold and yet his learners felt as If no sun
shine ought TO fall upon a spot where human
grief had left so deep stain; or, at least,
that no Joyous temple should be built there.
This is very sad" said the Lily, signing
"Well, there are lovelier spots than this,
said Adam Forester, soothingly, spots
which sorrow has not blighted"
30 they hastened away, and the melancholy
Gascogne followed them, looking as If he
had gathered up all the gloom of the deserted
spot, and was bearing 1t as burden OF ines
Unable treasure. But still they rambled on,
and soon found themselves In a rocky dell,
through the midst of which ran streamlet,
with ripple and foam, and a continual voice
Of inarticulate joy 1t was wild retreat,
walled on either side with gray precipIces, |
which would have frowned somewhat too
,tcrnly, had not q PROPULSION of green shrub
berry rooted itself into their crevices, and
sreathed gladstone foliage around their
solemn brows. But the chief joy OF the dell
vas Ia thelittle stream, which seemed like
he presence of bissful child, with nothing
arthly TO do save to babble merrily and dis
,ort itself, and make every living soul its
,layfellow, and throw the sunny CLEANS OF
Is spirit upon all.
"IIere, here is the spot" cried the two
overs with one voice, as they reached Ii level
pace on the brink of IA small cascade. "This
len was made on purpose for our tcmple!" :
And the glad song of the brook will be
lways In our ears said Lllias Fay.
"And Its long melody shall sing the bliss
f our lifetime" said Adam Forester.
aye must build no temple here" murmured
heir dismal companion. Is
And there again was the old lunatiC, stand
Nc Just on the spot where they meant to |
eur their lightsOme dome and looking like I
he embodied symbol of some great woe, v
nat, in forgotten days, had happened there. c
md, alas there had been woe, nor that alone. S
young man, more than hundred years d
efore, had lured hither girl that loved him, c
nd on this spot had murdered her, and a
'ashed his bloody hands in the stream which o
lng so merrily. And ever since, the vic.
ms death shrIeks were often heard to echo 4
etween the cliffs. II
"And see!" cried old Gascoigne, sis the II
ream yet Ture from the stain of the murder. q
RS hands?' s.
"Mcthinks it has tinge of blood" family Il
answered the Lily; and being as slight as the d
ossamer, she trembled and clung to her low. n
RS arm, whispering, "lct us flee from this
rcadful valev'
Come, them" said Adam Forester, as
heerily as he could; 1--WE shall soon find
apper spot"
They set forth again, young pilgrims on II
nat quest which millions, which every child 9
{ earth, has tried in turn And were the ~