The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-01-13
CHAPTER VI.


II was early summer. June, not vet a
week old had donned her loveliest garb and
the smiling earth reioiced as the warm
kisses of the burning sun fell upon her
fower-bedecked bosom. Hills and valleys
were carpeted with rich green velvet
while lilacs apple-blossoms, daisies but
fercups and laurel gave to the landscape
gay, brilliant tints and scented the sum-
mer breeze with the perfume OF paradise
"A pleasing land Of drowsy-hed 1t wa Of
dreams that wave before the half-shut eye,
and of gny castles in the clouds that pass,
forever flushing round a summer sky"
Down % narrow road winding through a
grove Of chestnut, maple and hickory trees
came stylish dcg-cart. A startled SPUR
rel heard the clink and jingle of the mar
ness and springing upon fence-rail gave
one timid glance at the on-coming turn
out and then scampered into the woods to
find a spot safe from the invasion of man.
A robin, more daring than the squirrel,
perched upon the lowest branch of a
neighboring tree and Justify warbled a
song of welcome to the young man and
woman who passed that way.
lit is hard to believe on such day as
this" Harlan Otis was saying, as he leaned
back, putting cigarette and allowing
Rhoda to handle the reins, that sin and
sorrow can really exist. Why is the world
so beautiful? Just look there, Rhoda," he
cried, as they left the grove behind them
and came suddenly upon the brow of alofty
hill
The scene before them was enhancing.
A silvery simmer in the valley told where
the river found its way toward the sea.
Farm houses nestled here and there while
IaI TIE nurth ward the spires, and
a. of no nit rlfcta al; a
light.
Let's get out here and spend an hour,
Rhoda, communing with our own souls
and box of sardines."
The young man sprang out of the cart
on the instant and gave his hand to his
companion. AS we have had only
glimpse of Rhoda Barr in the darkness
that precedes dawn, let me describe her as
she looked in the searching light of the
midday sun. She was somewhat above
the medium height, slender. lissome,
graceful. Her hair was dark and uXuri-
ant, her eyes large and very changeabe in
tint. Her features We're delicatey cut
and, as you watched her closely, you felt
that perhaps one of her parents had died
of consumption. She was dressed quietly
in black and white checked cheviot. At
her waist, as usual, reposed bunch of
fragrant vioets.
Throwing off her black straw sailor hat.
she allowed the gentle breeze to toy with
her disordered hair, laughing gleefully as
she helped Harlan to spreat luncheon on a
rock that seemed designed by nature to
serve them for banquet-bOard. 1t was a
large, flat stone that had been worn smooth
during the glacial epoch 1t lay in the
shadow of an enormous oak tree and not
far off a little spring dubbed merrily up
as though anxious to do its share toward
the entertainment OF the unexpected
guests.
a" Isn't this iollyg' exclaimed Harlan. en-
Enthusiastically as he uncorked a bottle of
champagne and flied Rhoda's glass.
" Indeed it is. Adam and Eve before the
fall might have envied us"
Yes. They had no sardines, no sand
witches, no champagne. no cigarettes
nothing but fruit, leisure and a great long
ing to know thing or two
Rhoda was leaning against the tree, her
soft, liquid eyes lazily wandering over the
landscape.
DO you really love me- Harry?" she
asked suddenly, turning upon him a pene-
trating glance that brought the quick
blood to his checks.
Always in doubt" he cried. "What
more can [ do, Rhoda, to prove my love
for you
GIVE me a cigarette" she answered
smiling mischievously
=" Then my love-gauge will go up in
smoke. You are not superstitious?"
"Heigh-hol Why should | be? What
must be-must be. In that philosophy
there is no place for superstition. But
seriously, Harry" she continued, putting
her arm around his neck and drawing his
head down into her lap, you have been
very restless for few days past. Tell me
darling, what troubles you" She bent
down and kissed his red Yoluptuous lips.
Nothing troubles me-" he answered
emphatically. who could be worried il
such place, at such time as this? DC
you remember Riley's poem on June
1t seems to voice the very spirit of thi.
hour:
20 queenly month Of indoent repose:
drink they breath in sips Of rare perfume
As in thy downy lap OF clover bloom
nestle like drowsy child. and doze
The lazy hours away. The zephyr throws
The shifting shuttle OF the summer loom,
And weayes damask- work of CLEAN and gloom
Before thy listless feet. The lily blows
bugle-call Of fragrance Ger the glade;
And. wheeling into ranks, with plume and spear
Thy harvest-armies gather on parade;
While. faint and far away yet pure and clear,
Avoice calls out of alien lands of shade
All hail the Peerless Goddess Of the Yearl''"
Beautiful" exclaimed Rhoda.
Ves-but dusty" added Harlan refilline
his champagne glass and draining it to tn,
bottom.