Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1886-04-03
as am, yet who can lift their heads
so high2'

/ les met at the old haunt, and went
from thence to the place of rendez-
vous. But they could not find it.
There was no rugged outline of bare
rocks against the clear sky, and they
looked in vain for the spot imprinted
on their memories. While fitting
pettishly about, they thought they
heard well-known voice, and, look
inglup,they saw Moss waving his ban
ners, and laughing at them
They flew to him, and the velvet
draped barbacan, from which his sig
nal foated, and there they saw the
green altar and level dancing floor,
30, what change was therep The
bald gray rocks were tapestried by
Moss, with all his brightest shades of
green; the loose sand was carpeted
with the vivid tint of springing grass;
every hillock was now soft ottoman,
strewn with seed amber, and studded
thick with olive shades of raised en-
broidery. Some dead trees, that
leaned their huge antlers toward each
other from opposing precipices, were
hung thick with tassels of silver, fawn,
and brown; and every bough was
fringed superbly. Here and there a
shaft of stone was crusted with va
riegated papyria, and these were in
terspersed with pyramids and columns
rusted. with gold and silver; while the
protruding roots of overarching trees
were softly cushioned with Mosss
most delicate handiwork Starry span
giles oflight pea green gave life to
overweight rugs of brownish or
an olive tint, and filIgree scales COW
cred the toughest tablets. The little
pool lay in the outer court, beneath
the moonbeams, like dancing quick
silver in fountain rim of emerald;
and long, thick fringe of softest
green lined the deep hollow of its ba-
sin.
But the altar-that was most beau
tiful; for every fairy had thrown her
tribute there, and it was heaped with
fragrant blossoms. Moss's best mo-
siac vases held Lily's and ORANGES
fairest blooms, and quiet little Violet
nestled at its base, with a dew-drop
in her blue eye, whose pencilled lids
were dropping, and she was purple
with deep emotion. Anemone would
have hung her head, but her breezy
old wooer treasured her, and lifted it
carelessly with his pinions.
And Flora came, wearing her crown
of state, where every fairy saw in min
iature her flower, and bearing her
sceptre, now wreathed by Moss. Close
following was the bride of the night,
too superb to be lovely, too lovely to
be magnificent. The choicest odors
foated with her undulating move
ments, and her breath was like the
richest incense of spring. From the
depths Of her heart came stealing
gentle blush, that irradiated her
whole form, and every fairy bent in
homage to this beauteous one.
Truly, Moss, thou hast decorated
the hard rocks into palace worthy
of thy bride, thy bridal, and thy
queen 2 said Flora, as she fitted be-
meath the fringed arch into the open
court, where the fountain glittered.
Honeysuckle blew his trumpet, while
she marshalled her. fairy host, with
the Cardinal, to bring up the rear,
and she led the bride as Moss headed
the procession. They passed through
lofty aisles with velvet foorcloth and
spangled ceiling, and trellised above
with Moss's thickest netting. The
moon and starbeams peeped through
and played with their radiant wands;
and the dewy breeze stole into the
passages to ravish the fragrance of
the morning blossoms. They passed
through winding way to the little
inlet from the sea; but Moss had SO
planted and disguised its banks, that
they were not to be easily recognized.