The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-10-02
THE EVE OF ST. JOHN. 7

1t was a warm June day.. The sun was al
ready halfway down his western slope, NOV
Jag lazlly, as if weary with the long marchEot
the summer solstlce. A gauzy haze yelled
without obseuriug his brightness, and lent a
dreamy charm to the scene below. Soft roll
ing hills; stream winding between green
willowy shores; seen far away, broad blue
river, and the spires and roofs of q town;
these were the outlines Of the landscape In
the cool piazza of the old white farmhouse,
her home for half u century, stood my grand
mother, a smile on her placid face, and her
mild eyes drinking in the serene beauty OF the
scene. Alice and came flying down the hall
stair case and stood beside her. IS rex
Y Good by, grandmamma," cried my sister.
,"We are going to leave for a little while" ss.
Must you go to day,my dears? The horses
are away, and it is long walk to s..
Why not wait until Tomorrow ?" .gF' -ssssEf
you forget I said, that Frank comes to-
morrow; and he shall be so busy with pack
ing, and all the last things. And it is only
two miles to town, after all"
II suppose goa must go, dear; but It is q
long walk for Alice in this hot sum-" grand
mamma added CHANGING from my gray walk
ing dress to my sisters cloudy muslin and slip
eTS. ..' ~. 1-& 5a&asztlt @l&2EE
sob, am not going, grandma; I shall only
walk with Charlotte down to the thorn-trees
to take that sketch have promised SO long.
We shall both be back early to spend long
evening with you. This is my birth-night,
you know--iust think! l am nineteen-and 1
want you to make festival of it' ~.1'
BE sure we will. And good-by, now, my
children, for you have no more time to spare.
Alice and | walked SLOWLY down the green
path which wound its way across the fields to
the brook Following this for some distance,
we came to a rude wooden bridge by which
VIC gained the other shore; and soon sharp
bend in the stream brought us to the thorn
trees of which Alice had spoken. A miniature
premontOry, covered with the most softest
and most velvety turf, was washed on two
sides by the waters of the brook, while the
third was guarded by a semi-circular line OF
+gnarled and twisted thorn-trees. belt OF
similar trees upon the opposite shore render
ed the seclusion of the place perfect 1t was
a spot which Titania might have chosen for
her court, so still, so secret and SO green
Through partial opening in the trees was
visible lovely bit OF scenery, a sketch OF
which Alice, who draws with rare skill and
fidelity, proposed to take in my absence. Seat
ed here on the warm grass, the stream muir
uluring at her feet and the leaves futterin g
over her, |. left her to her pleasant task; and
regaining in few moments more the fire.
quented path, took my way by the long yellow
high-road TO the distant town. 5ss
Alice and had been spending some months
with our grandmother, and were to leave in a
few days for our home in Philadelphia. Our
own mother was dead and the warm hearted
ther who had taken her place did not come SO
near to our hea't is as did the gentle old lady
at the farm. A part of every year we spent
with the latter, always leaving her with re-
greet. I should mention that my step mother
had son, the fruit of former marriage, who
had been absent several years in India, anG
at this time had just returned AS we had nc
brother Of our own, Frank Baldwin, who was
a few years older than I, had filled nearly /
brothers place to Alice and myself. He wa:
now to be our escort home, as our father was
prevented by some business from coming for
us himself. e., s4s .er t..s.
This afternoon I had to make some triflins
purchases at the shops, and pay few parting
VISIT of friendship or ceremony. We had ma
ny friends in s., and the farewell calls con
sumed so much time that nine q clock was
ringing from all the steeples before was able
to leave the town and turn my steps toward
home But the way, though lonely, was safe
and enjoyed the quiet walk ia the evening
air. It must have been ten O. clock when
reached the gate which communicated will
the foot-path across the fields. OF course
had no idea of meeting Alice at that hour; for
though she had promised to wait for me, it wa
in the expectation that my return would b.
much earlier. Yet when l came to the turn O
the path leading to the thorn-trees, my step
half involuntarily took that direction.
Walking on slowly, had reached the brock
and rounding the point where, hours before
" u
perceiying what seemed in the uncertain stal
light TO be her figure reclining on the gras
under the thorn trees. InvoluntarilyI paused
half in doubt, half in fear. At that instar
there came from far away in the south th
first low breath of the night wind sighin
across the fields and stirring the stiff leaves
the old thorns with sound as Of innumerab]
airy footsteps. With sudden thrill, as if
had been conscious Of some invisible presenc
called her name, but in low, frightene
voice. There was no answer; and, springin
forward, I knelt beside the figure of my siste
lying fast asleep upon the grass. Her fiushe
lcheek rested on her round white arm, and
smile like that OF dreaming infancy parted ht
beautiful lips. Lifting her long hair, on wi ic
the night dew glistened, took her hand, e,
claiming, "Alicei Alice Vane! what are 70
thinking OF, asleep in this damp night air?'
Slowly she opened her large eyes and gaze
around with bewildered expression.
~ Dear Alice, do rouse YOURSELF cried. 6
is past. ten O'Clock, and grandma will /
crazy"
She obeyed the movement Of my hand, s.
up and allowed me to wrap nv shawl abo,
her. I gathered up her scattered DRAWN
materials, and again begged her to rouse he
self and 20 home. f:%
"Yes, we will co." she said; but have bee
dreaming SO long, can scarcely find ii
boundryline between my dreams and reality
s'What were you dreaming OPP IA
5ta.1"Cn SO many talHgS! ! musL nave pee
sleeping a long time, for the last thing CO
remember the sun was setting, and
thought you would soon be here. was avail
then, and / am sure Of it. All at once the
came from far up the glen q faint sweet stra
Of music. Then ! distinguished voices sin
ing and presently was surrounded BY q crow
of people thronging all about me Their ga
ments brushed me, and their fingers touch.
my hair, but they never seemed to s.
me. Suddenly they vanished, one beautif
lady alone remaining. She stood just thel
behind that thong branch. She was allin gree
and I could scarcely distinguish herfrom Il
trees. She spoke to me with q charmir
smile, and then lifting her white hand, wavl
1t slowly through the air. looked and pal
stood beside me. 7 could not move Or spea
but his dear eyes looked into mine for m
ment; Then the figure slowly faded. AS
gazed other figures came by, Frightening al
fading before my eyes Isaw yourself al
Frank, mamma, just as she used to look, al
many more, all familiar faces, all persons WI
have had some part or influence in my lii
Last OF all came one I did not know. I turn
to ask the lady. who he was. She made no a