Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-11-25

ST like flowers better than trees"
said my cousin.
Because you have never studied
them-and they are wonderful study
in themselves. They are kind friends
to us. their broad arms shelter us, their
green laeves shade US; the life of a tree
is poem. See how the wind waves 1t:
the rain falls upon; summer clothes 1t
and winter lays it bare. This tree
shivers and shudders; the strong wind
bends it, the sweet south wind makes
music among its branches, and the day
must come when this king of forest, on
whose green top the light of summer
and the snow Of winter have descend
ed, will be wrecked and fall at last. l
should like to be the chosen poet of
the trees"
Il think you are" said Kate, 'but
to me that white water lily sleeping
in the sunshine, with the blue water for
it's beo, is more beautiful than the finest
tree"
"Ah, here you are, Ernestine,"
chimed in another voice. Il have been
looking everywhere for you; will you
come to the garden"
There was nothing for it but to take
Lord Fitz Johns arm and go with him,
as ne wished.
| could not define my thoughts, but
| had vague feeling that there was
some terrible want in him. Like a
sharp knife, the contrast between my
promised husband and the man | had
Just left struck me. | would not think
of it. Yet my mind was so full of what
Mr.. Vivian had said about trees in their
beauty and their mysterious lives, that
could not forget it.
/ described my state truly when |
said that my heart was asleep; waking
was gradual, sweet, and yet bitterly
painful. There among the quiet sum-
mer lakes, free from all artificial life,
surrounded by simple, clever and in
tellectual people, | began to perceive
that there was a deeper meaning in
| life than had yet learned.
During the hours that my lover was
absorbed in his sporting intelligence
| entered new world. Eustace Nivi-
IN read to my cousin and me and talk
| cd with us. For the first time great
and noble thoughts were unrolled ne
/ fore me. | found that the things | had
valued most beauty, wealth and fash
ion-were actually Of the least account.
Virtue, genius, intel, ect, all before them.
| deemed that my life was useless and
selfish, without aim or object, q pleas
IRE Of which | soon tired.
One evening when | had been in the
| garden for two long, dreary hours with
Lord Fitz-John, | went back into the
/ drawng-room, worn out and exhaust
ed, and, like dreadful fear looming
oven me, the question came into my
mind
eff can hardly endure his society
for two hours now, how shall bear II
for life
| often saw Eustace Nivian's eyes
dwelling on my face with much mourn
ful pity in them. | felt tempted nj
times to ask him why he appeared sor-
nv for me. Was | not rather q subject
for envy? Young, rich and about tt
marry II peer of the realm, wha
more, asked myself, could heart de
sire?
One day it was proposed that We
should all 90 together to visit Il cello
brated waterfall about three mile,
from Duronmere. The road lay through
the cool green woodlands, where the
trees, meeting overhead, formed al
arch solemn and mysterious in the din
light lis cathedral aisle. At every
step we crushed the wild flowers under
our feet; their odor filled the swee
summer air. | was enraptured witt
this long green glade; had neversseer
anything like it in my life before. Mr.
Vivian proposed that we should res
there before emerging again upon thu
high road.
shall never forget the hour that fol
lowed; how We watched the checkereC
sunlight falling through the leaves
how we lsteded to the music that rose
like one grand chant from the happ,
forest birds Mr. Vivian read to Il.
Of Lancelot and Guineverc, and tolC
liz how the knight had vowed to low,
the queen in glades, such as we saw
before us. 1t wis all II new world tC
me, world Of magical beauty, where
poetry and nature combined to pro
duce their most exquisite effect.
did not know that the glamour which
| iitlNl ldllIll tillOli tLllh N4lhlt-AAA LIZ
whole world for me was love For al
knew loved the man had promised
to marry, although | could not beal
his society for long together. But tina
June morning there cameto me Il rele
walton.
What was the feeling of that mad,
Queen Guinevcre So devoted to Lance
lot? | wondered III my foolish minC
whether If had known him | shoulC
have loved him rs she did. And ther
my eyes fell upon the form Of m,
lover Lord Fitz John. He had with.
drawn from us, and thrown himsel
under nm old tree, where he lay on
bank Of moss fast asleep. that was nj
the sunshine and the Queen Guinever,
had done for him. My face flushed
crimson rs ! saw him, and raising my
eyes saw Eustace Vivian gazing 4
me with that look Of pity which knew
SO well.
Lord Fitz-John is tired. he said, a,
though apologizing t. me for what h,
must have felt was rude neglect; III,
was up late last night, and the morning
, Is very warm.
What was he MP for2' | aske,
hrusquely
Mr.. Vivian looked embarrassed, anC
muttered something about cigar Il
WAS not until long afterwards that
heard hcw my lover had scandalizeC
, himself that night IL the disgust ant
annoyance of the inhabitants Of Duron
mere
''lou had better arouse him, Or ",
shall never see the water fall to-day,
| said
If lie belonged to me- said Kate
decislvely "he should sleep there unit
he aroused himself | would not ash
him for the further honor of his es
cort."
Mr. Vivian looked amused at tn
spirited manner in which she spoke
In answer to my look he went to til,
! sleeper and tried to arouse him.
What is it?' said his lordship. Will
Very hewildered air. "Oh. the water
fall, eh? Leave ae alone, there's
: good fellow; upon my lie, | am wori
out with fine scenery. Wake me III
as you come back. Miss Thornley, vii
excuse me-"
] had heard every word Of this ele
CANT speech quite distinctly To sa,
, that was angry and indignant woult
but fcehly express the state Of M,
mind. | walked on and left my com
panionS - follow at will. But present