The Sunday herald., 1886-09-19
BESIDE THE RIVER.

A midsummer night Oh the banks of the
beautiful winding river; the full moon, yell
low as ore, stands, poised, ball of light, on
the crest Of gentle slope, where sombrs
pines march down to the waters edge, and
warm, spicy odors steal from woodland and
thicket, like watts from the Orient. A soli-
tary boatman rows slowly down stream, with
careless oar, drinking in the glowing charm
Of hour and scene, with the eloquent glance
and silent appreciation of poet.
Past dusky oopse. and sweeps Of open
meadowland, and still, shadowy pools. where
the lilies sleep, and rushes culver; follow
ing the swift course of the serpentine river,
that wanders on at its own sweet will, full
Of charms and changes, the innocent wilcs,
Turing eye and thought into dreamland,
with its manifold surprises. Now tiny villas
aud rustic summer homes are revealed on
either shore, as the river widens; laughing
voices break the hush Of the summer
night; the dreamy rhythmical measure
Of some Strauss waltz sets heart beating
and feet dancing, or pure tenor voice comes
across the water, singing the impassioned
melody Of "Adelaida" like lover.
The young boatman checks his course an
instant to listen, with fire in his eye aud a
smile on his lip, and then glides swiftly on
ward, as II impsllsd by some resistless de i.
sire that will not brook delay.
|. On q grassy terrace running down 10 the
water stands quiet cottage, embowered In
trailing vines anl climbing roses, while on
either hand dense mass Of woodland
stretches and opens wide It's sylvan recesses,
resisting the encroachments Of man with
natures charming tyranny. Tanglewood II
is we'll named; haunt Of deep sequestsred
loveliness, far from fret and turmoil Of the
ant xunrlA, 1no MI m, ofa n k.,,
who pays dearly for the few hours Of simple
pleasure and relaxation wrested from toll
some days.
Here lie little skif runs ashore, as II by
instinct, and Philip Laighton, leaning for
ward In au attitude Of eager expectation,
pisrces the soft darkness with kindling
glance, or listens with ear down-bent, like
an Indian on the wsr-trail. The cottage Ia
alight and astir, as on some festal occasion
airy figures fit by the open windows, OF
murmurs Of merrilnent steal forth TO mingle
with the inartioulate voices Of the night.
lie makes q restless movement of discon
tent, and pushes back his hair with hasty
hand; the ardent young face, with It's lumi
nous eyes aud poets mouth, is olOudsd and
crossed hy conflicting emotions; deep sigl
escapes him.
The rush of hurryipg feet comes down th,
woodland pathway, and q moment later
with flying 6f-locks aud autteriDg skirts,
girl of about fifteen bounds into the boa
beside him, holding ont letter.
"Not another disappointment, Nell" h,
groans. ~ begin to dread the sight o
those little missives; they bods no good"
81 am sorry, Philip, but a oarrier-pigeor
Is not responsible, you know"
"And who knows when l shall have an
other night out here; and such night =
sighed the disappointed lover. shell,
mud see her, II only for moment"
But the child shook her head resolutely
though her saucy face darkensd at his words
at can't be done, Philip you sec tits easy
enough for me TO slip away and not b,
missed; I'm of no account, a madcap-a tom
boy-well out of the way. But what q hu,
and cry would be raised II Linda disap
peared for a few moments"
Her companion made NO reply, but push
ing out into the shining food, now begin
ming to dimple and dance In the moonlight
read the note at glance, aud, crushing II II
his hand, flung II away with o gesture 0
disdain. Then turning to Nell he regarde,
her with grave earnestness.
"Now, child, tell me the bare truth, 70
doubt aud fear make chaos within me. l
this but paltry ruse on her part TO evad
me, or tangible obstacle that she oanno
surmountf Your frank face will answer me
whether yon will or no. SO ont with IT,"
at Is true. Philip-really," cried tn
girl, with ready candor. "Wehave house
ful Of company tonight; distinguishes
guests, can tell you swells from Washing
ton and New York-a real live Marquis
and no end Of style"
"Moths lowering round the flame" nut
tered Laighton betwsen his teeth. ''Ihis |
the result OF Linda's winter in Washington
GLOW does she seem to enjoy II, Nell Ho
Is she looking y"
ooh, Linda Is In her element to nigh
cream -colored satin and red roses, and
swarm of admirers, all ready to kill one Al
other for a smile or word"
"The happiest role in woman repertoire,
he murmurs, m0okingly.
at must be great fun, sighed the chile
oontemplatively, and then with an air OF d.
oision. philip you just wait-some OF thei
days PH bloom out, and rival Linda on h,
7 own ground. Oh ! my time is coming"
Aud she broke into a peal of elfsh laugl
ter, like the hooking mirth of Puck, rim