Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-29
CHAPTER XIV.
In the Wild Azalea.

Tn the late spring and early summer the
Seven mountains burst suddenly from their
eomber melancholy and bury themselves for
r. month in a wealth of efflorescence such as
one may look fer in vain elsewhere north
of the tropics. The wild gaps and runs be-
come chicken with mighty masses OF pink
and white that I'LL even those long accus-
toned 10 Il with wonder. First comes the
miracle OF the og-wood. the spangling OF
the forest with spotless white; then the
miracle Of the azaiea, when the swart hill
sides break suddenly into billows OF IRE;
then the miracle of the laurel, with It's great
masses OF bloom like baskets OF flowers SEE
here and there amid the rocks ana theh
the miracle OF miracles of the rhododen-
dron, which fills gap and tangle ana scaur
with great banks of unbroken snow one
might be contented TO live eleven months in
the dun solitudes for the sake OF this one
marvellous month OF flowers.
one visiting in mid June the mouth OF
Roaring run Will find il transformed almost
beyond belief The fantastic weatherings
are cmbOWered IN laurel the tangle along
tie run IS n bank Of solid bloom, and among
the cedar scrubs still smolders the last OF
the azalea. Ii IS a transformation, indeed
one that no familiarity can ever strip OF us
sembIaUce OF miracle.
The morning after the pow-woWinS at
Roaring run broke free-slIed and smoke
less. BY midday there was no trace or the
storm. The mountains lay soft and warm IN
the spring sun. Under It's radiance the pZa-
lea shot up its fires until il dominated ridge
and bottom and gap. Along the trough OF
Plum run, where II flowers In greatest pro
fusion II rolled In pillows OF flame. ana
ever among Il and around II, Ike deIlD-
crate contrast elistened the stars of the
dog-Nood. As Tom Farthtng stood on the
crest Of Raccoon ridge 1t seemed 10 him
as II the mountains were in gala dress
green and brown, with frngings or scarlet
Snd spangllngs OF white.
He was hot and restless. He had struck
up into the ridges after the Sunday dinner
In sheer unrest On and on he had tramped
without aim or thought. A mass OF color In
the sharp of the caught his eye and auto
maticaly he turned toward It. AT one place
IN an angle of the rocks the eihorescehce
seemed 10 eliminate. 1t was like huge
centerpieCe or single giant blossom l.
cooled and rested him. He stood wondering
n moment drinking in the sweet reek or IT,
then sat down in the midst OF the plot, ms
back against the sandstone. All was sun
save for the drone of the stream near oy
and the voice Of warbler In the heart OF
the tangle.
ITnconsciously. for the thousandth time. he
began to go over the problem which "as
dominating him. What had become OF her
Why had she left him so? What was the
mystery OF Il all. The brook purled
on: the bird sang over and over It's simple
note. and his thoughts became ever more
vague and more vague.
He awoke with start. He was conscious
Of some sharp. sudden noise close by him
but all was silent when he opened his eyes.
He was strangely confused. Everything
seemed changed the sun was lower; the
shadows had shifted greatly: there was a
different light in the atmosphere. A vague
impression of some presence close at hand
caused him 10 turn his head.
why, Iona" he cried IN startled voice.
SIS II YOU? Is 1t really your?
She did not answer For moment she
stood as on that first evening by the brook
side when he had come suddenly upon her.
II he moved she would vanish.
But how came you way up here?" He
did not wait for her answer; he made a
swift bound through the azalea and stood
beside her. Did you know was here? Did
your
No"
Then it's an accident. You just happened
TO Gomez"
Yes
You were walking, AMI saw this bunch
OF honeysucklef Is that why?"
Yes l must 70 now" She turned alb
ruptly In the direction OF Heller's Ridge.
and began almost to run through the tangle.
Iona. don't" he pleaded. "Why do you
60. I.onaf She made no answer, but
bounded I'D tho rocks
walt. Iona. please" but she did not stop.