The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-07
A WOODLANDS TALE.

The valley is lined with woods for o
long distance, but in one place, little more
than two miles from the sea, there is
clear space, where the big house stands
above its hanging gardens. Strangers have
occupied 1t for so long time that they
would wonder and be indignant did you
call them by that name.
For 30 years an old man dwelt there,
continually divided betwixt the love of the
living, his daughter and passion for his
dead wife that was forever drawing him
toward the land of twilight whittier he
pictured her waiting for his coming. He
had lived hardly in his youth, an over
worked and underpaid drudge, finding
the whole Of his -life's pleasures in the
books Of the great masters and in devoted
care for his mother. Apart from these in
deed he had no life.
A distant relative-a cousin of his moth
or, mere name to him hitherto-died
and left will whereby he became master
Of the big house and withal man of
means. At first the change of ciroum-
stances rather detracted from his comfort
than otherwise. But he was gentleman
and a person greatly loved by all who met
him. He quickly adapted himself to the
change and made himself a place in the
hearts and homes of the neighboring gen
try.
He married young wife and lived with
Der in the big house for some few months
beyond year. If he had died at the end
of that time he would have thanked the
gods for the best life it was ever given to
man to enjoy, but that was not the thing
ordained His wife died day or two after
the birth of u daughter, the Rachel of the
story you arc to hear.
Sho was singularly lovable child, and
his continued thoughtfulness on her be-
half had the effect Of making q like care
fulness for others nero instinct in her.
She was child in virtue Of her simplicity
of heart, but her intercourse with others
was all made up of little, kindly courtesios
such as are in most of us the last refine
ment of art.
In due course she went away to school,
and 1t would bayo been hard to decide
whether the coming of holiday time, when
she was at homo once more, brought with
ii more of joy to him or to her. She grew
tall and very beautiful. Her face was clear
cut and of type singularly patrician, but
the whole expression was one of delicate
graciousness, and her eyes looked out up
on the world with the frankncss of beau
tiful child's.
There came in due season lover, but
this did nothing to disturb the harmony of
the household. In matters of learning, it
may be- Eustace was not fit companion
for the father of Rachel, but he was gen
ba 81 do
that you would have sworn no would re-
main boy Mt heart, no matter how long
he should live
Eustace wnsn soldier on leave of absence
visiting the home country and the time
was one when every man of that calling
knew that tho morrow might sec him or.
dcrcd abroad Perhaps the courtship pro-
grcssed more rapidly than it would other
wise have done because Rachel was aware
of the shortness of the time of freedom al
lowed him and how he chafed at It, Yet
there was no binding speech between them
until tho order came that he was to return
to his regiment and go to the war. He
had no particular skill in the use of words,
and his speech with her was straightfor-
ward and to the point.
~ am leaving in two days to join my
regiment and go out In the Crimea Since
l have been in the west have learned to
loyo you. Will you let me 60 happy be-
cause you have promised to be my wifo?"
Twilight was deepening, and only few
lights shone yellow in the windows of the
cottages along the valley. Rachel did not
answer for moment, though he felt some
how the thrill of pain that shot through
her ut the thought he was going to the
war. She glanced in the direction of tho
open window, where her father sat In the
twilight. Then she made answer as direct
as the speech of her love.
'If that will make you happy" sho
said, 81 will promise gladly. But, oh, l
wish you had not to gol'
The lovers fingered long time in tho
cool and pleasant air, and 1t was not till
late that Rachel told her father Of tho
thing whi'l had fallen out that night, and
the two received the old mans blessing.
Then there was a parting, and Rachol
knew that save for an hour or two on the
next evening, she had seen tho last of her
lover for many a long day.
Tho gardens descend the slope of the val
Icy and from the orchard at the bottom
pathway leads into the woods 1t was this
path the lovers took on the night of their
farewells. The spring had come full early,
and even the mulbcrries began to think Of
putting forth their leaves. In the woods
the primroses shono everywhere, and many
IN open space was carpeted with bluebells.
There were aneInones and frail wood sorrel
in the shadow of scattered granite rocks
and the garlic lowered whitley where tho
soil was marshy. Innumerable birds were
n,l 30, l. IL, l,,,
held foolish blackbird that fled with
self betrayng shrek as they approached,
making almost unconsciously for glade
they had often visited together in the heart
Of the woods.
LET US stop here" said Eustace present.
ly, "Do you remember when we found
the place"
II have always known it," said Rachel.
at was my playground when l was a
child, and sometimes l chose to fancy my
self the sleeping princess and this the pal
ace where waited for the prince. did
not think he would ever come"
my princess!" cried the man, kissing
her as she sat beside him in the shade Of n
hugo tree. "Out there shall always think
Of you as waiting for me here"
Come back quickly" she said in low
voice, "but do not think Of me as waiting
here, The place will be too empty without
you. We will visit 1t together when you
have como back"
but you must not leave 1t unvisited,"
he snid. 1T Is too dear to us for that, and
you will be nearer to me here than any
where else. Look down tho path.
He pointed In tho direction from which
they had come, and her eyes obeyed his
command.
"Some day." be said, "you will hear
that l am coming, and you will make
rsadv to meet me Rut shall not find