The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-03-19


had retired to her romantic seat
among the cliffs above, to enjoy
the beauties of the surrounding
prospect. Up the winding path,
bordered by copse- wood, that
wound its serpentine course through
glen and brake till it reached the
summit of the ridge, Ernest bent
his steps in search Of the fair ap-
partition of those solitudes.
Seated beneath mountain birch
that bent its top over the rocky
precipice, as if to peer into the
stream beneath, Ernest at length
discovered the fair object of his
search-like Flora McIver in her
wild mountain glen, as she appeared
to young Waverly.
The maiden rose confusedly when
Ernest came up and saluted her,
but affecting not to perceive it, he
made some attempts to lead her
into conversation, which, however,
but partially succeeded. Taking
up the book that Christianna had
been reading, and which proved
to be a volume of Byron's works,
he opened it mechanically, and, as
if by accident, but nevertheless
designedly, at the second canto of
the "Bride Of Abydos," he read
aloud
''Wrapp'd in the darkest sable vest
Which none save noble Moslem wear,
To guard from winds of heaven the breast.
AS heaven itself to selim dear:
With cautious step the thicket treading,
And starting oft, as through the glade
The gust its hollow meanings made,
Till on the smoother pathway treading,
More free her timid bosom beat,
The maid pursued her silent gude
And though her terror urged retreat,
How could she quit her Selim's side?
| How teach her tender lip to chide?"
ga beautiful poem," said Ernest,
as he finished the stanza, "and a
fine passage-displaying admirably
what confidence Zuleika placed in
her lover"
"'Tis very pretty poem," re-
piled the girl, "but the story has
ii sorrowful conclusion. All, what
Il terrible thing it is to love, if such
are its fearful deserts +"
"Not so tragic, timid one," Er-
nest answered, smiling, "amongst
the wild rocks of America. We
may, in this fair land, enjoy all the
delights of love without fear of i'm
pending calamities, which impas-
stoned writers tell us fall to the lot
of lovers in the iron-scourged
realms of despotism."
Finding the maiden listened to
his words, and she had gained her
self possession, changing the sub
ject, he continued the discourse.
81 do not wonder that you so
much admire the romantic prospect
from your mountain terrace, Miss
Darby. 'Tis really beautiful, and
surpasses any idea l had formed of
its presenting so noble a view,'
Ernest said, and he spoke without
f1attery, as he surveyed the scene
that spread out before him.
Around were wild rocks and
trees-beneath rolled the dark
channel of the Wallo-wish, it's tiny
wavelets bright and flashing as they
laved the gray rocks and sparkled
in the slanting rays of the sun.
Hundreds of swallows were sport
ing over the water, dipping their
taper wings in the CLASSY tide; and
the blue king fisher, skimming
along at a measured distance from
the stream, uttered his discOrdant
notes as he held his way along its
serpentine course. The whistle of
the wild ducks wing might be
heard hurrying by, and the blue
jay seen in the distance, it's soft,
lower-like color, rising up in re
lief against the dark green trees
that lined the opposite ascent. Far
away to the westward meandered
the stream-now hidden by some
projecting promontory, and again
appearing to view, diminished in
size to silver thread, winding
through green meadows and yer
dant wales, till lost among the blue
hills that lOomed up still further
away towards the sunset, robed by
distance in the azure garb of the
sky.
eyes, it is beautiful" Christi
anna said, resuming the conversa-
ton. 81, too, used to admire it as
you do"
"And is it possible it has lost all
its interest for you, Miss Darly?"
said Ernest.
"TheSe scenes have ceased to in
terest me now," replied the girl,
mournfully, "as l have ceased to be
Miss Darby"
"YOu ceased to be Miss Darby
Why what mean you, Christianna 2"
Ernest said, with a degree of real
surprise, as he bent his dark, in
Quiring gaze on the fair face of the
maiden.