The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-09-20
LEONORE.

over sea anu lduu, ueI DtTlulneu DIedlH
foated on each small breeze that greet
ed the fainting grass and flowers; the
trees dropped heavily under the glow
ing sunlight of her smile, and Nature,
IN all and every phase, appeared to hold
herself in bondage to the imperious
queen Of seasons. Even II, who
prided myself upon muscle strong as
steel, quick, sharp eye, and ready
nerve-even these had all succumbed
to the fiery heat, and l lay stretched
beneath the shade of gray old rock,
with the midsummer blue of the heav-
ems above and the sparkling waters of
the sea spread out before me.
A lazy dream drew over me, and
with eyes half closed my weary, work
worn soul drank in with deep delight
the secret of the land and water.
Presently, through the stagnant air,
came up from the sea the free west
wind, moist with the salty SAVIOR Of
mermen's caves and sounding sea
shells, singing of health and vigor with
its wild, sweet voice, when suddenly
upon my half-sleeping vision there grew
a figure whose flowing lines Of draperl
stood out against the high white light
and deep-blue line of horizon. Dow
it came toward me, borne. as it seemed
on the wind, and from the distant din
outline grew nearer view Of graceful
motion and girlish face.
All unobservant, she came toward me
l see her now, with large hat shadow
ing her bonny face and sweetly ques
tioning eyes, her light drapery flutter
ing in the fresh breeze, the bright wild
flowers clasped loosely in her hand. AM
a white sea-gull, with piercing, lionel
cry, flashing across the soft, deep blu
of the heavens beyond her.
l lay like one entranced, so muc'
feared to break the spe OF her pres
ence, till suddenly she stopped, wit
half start of fear, TO see strange
stretched on the lonely sand.
Closely my cunning eyes held thei
secret, and peeping, saw her advanc
with timid and quiet step. My truan
breath almost betrayed my eagernes!
and hard L found it to preserve m
sleeping fraud. At last she stood quit
over me. and bonding low, looked bt
meath the broad rim of my hat.
My opened eyes met hers, so dee
and dark, and greeted there flash {
angry summer lightning, drawn fort
by my deception. The sweet fac
glowed like damask rose, and wit
words, "How could youP" she 1e
across the clover-fields like a deer Il
loose.
Next day rambled back again; br
more solitary than ever ranged til
sweep Of sand and sea, more lonely I'll
white gulls wheeled and cried, and til
sun went behind a cloud, and q dill
gray mist crept up and wrapped I'll
world in its soft, voluminous fold
Returning to my farm house, foun
my services called into requisitio
J through message from 1.-The old ge.
tleman IN the house on the hill"
confess, with shame, l spoke mo
quickly to my hostess.
81 came here for rest," 1 said, ''nt
work. Why did you let them kno
that was hereP" For, to tell IL
truth, l could not bear to bring Il
work day world into my dream Of Il
face of yesterday.
However, all the same, l went up IL
side of breezy hill, with smooth gra
stretching almost to the borders of II
rolling breakers. found quaint 10
house of frame, all trace of paint we
ther-washed away, and nesting amor
the stately trees. A large old pore
shadowed the entrance, and over Il
door two curious faces with wings {
either side were carved on the old woo
in bold relief, while through the upp
panels and in the wooden shutters
lllb NlIubNo hGlO plCltOh lOuhl hoiS
staring at the stranger with aquestio
ing, menacing look, as If in dread
curious interference with the secre
they had already half disclosed. Ty
long, low wings of building pushed o
on either side, giving grotesque reseI
blance to some strange old bird reat
for fight. Beyond and on both sid
were gnSrled and knotted apple-tret
their ancient boughs Redeemed wi
half-ripened fruit, and on the bro
a wooden seat Of the porch of this so
I house on the hill" sat the gentlemi
n whose needs had thus occasioned n
4 visit.
y A pure contralto voice dropped dov
II in 1ippling notes of old-time melod
!, and following the sounds, one by OF
. 2 my sight, guided by my hearing, mou
J. ted this unique Jacobs ladder, a
. met indeed an angel on the way,
the deep, dark eyes and tender face
my love met mine from the airy heig
= of an old observatory that crowned t
1 dwelling. The music ceased, the swt
. face vanished and the high-bred ge
?, tIeinan of the porch advanced to "
anme ma ere had stilled the besi