The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-04-26

| was standing on sand and could
hear the plash of waves, but could see
nothing about me. for was enveloped
in mist A rocking sensation made me
doubt whether | was ashore or on the
water. Another singular feature was
faint singing of birds-so faint. in
deed. that | doubted whether | herd
birds or ringing in my ears. TlHre
were occasional voices about me. hav-
ing mellow sound. as if spoken on a
quiet day after fall of snow or on
balmy morning when the air is full
of moisture
While ] was wondering where was
and how | happened to be there girl
came out of the mist and stood before
me- She seemed as much surprised
TO see me as | was to see her Her
face was that of saint-fair complex
ion. hair and eyes. There was but one
blemish-a small red irthmark, shap-
ed like rose leaf. ON her neck. 1t
was rather an imperfection than a
blemish
Where are we?" | asked.
NOh SflV tCl'IlV0
II hear the sound of waves"
"Then we must be on the seashore."
"And birds singing"
THAT would indicate that the beach
is lined by woods"
wherever we are. we were evident
~ sent for each other"
ut would seem So" She lowered
her eyes.
you were certainly sent to be with
me. What would become of me alone
in this dense mist without the power
to find my way out of it With you
] shall be happy even here You are
very lovely"
you do not say beautiful"
"But you are beautiful"
'No; | can't be that"
"Why?"
because of this She put finger
on the birthmark
do you know" / said after a brief
pause, that | like you so we'll as you
are that | would not have even that
changed?"
How good of you to say that! You
say it to make me feel less dissatis-
fed on account of my defect. You do
not mean it."
Suddenly the mist was gone. 1t did
not melt away; it vanished. We were
standing upon beautiful bay. For
miles on either hand the beach curved
in semicircle. Back of us the shore
rose till 1t mingled with mountains
The waters of the bay were of differ
ent colors. Near US, where it was shall
low. it was pale green, beyond a
deep blue and beyond that silver. On
this silver an island rested, rising from
its base to height on which the sun
shone golden. We stood looking out
at the view. | was entranced. and.
turning my eyes upon my companion,
l saw that she was equally wrapt
81 feel" said, that | must go out
on the bosom Of that sea-"
There is a boat" she replied,
chained to stake"
Lowering my eyes to the verge, l
saw skiff rising and falling with the
Ianguid swells.
The next scene of which / was cog
infant or at least remember now was
pulling along under great cliffs that
formed the island.
There is cave said my compan-
ion. with a waterway for an en-
trance"
Turning the boat, l pulled for the
cave. The rocky roof over the water
way just grazed our heads as we made
the entrance. Inside we found our
selves within a cavern. its roof hung
with stalactites. The light coming
from the entrance tinged the vaulted
roof with ever changing colors. Now
it was a blood red, now pale blue.
now sea green, now white.
1T is from the changing Of the wa
tiers outside said. "A changing
sky changes the bay. and the changing
bay changes the hues in here"
1T is all change" she said sadly.
Il wish something in the world were
fixed"
| dropped my oars and. seating my
self beside her, took her in my arms.
Il wish this would never change" l
said, for ! have found my love" |
kissed her. She put her arms about
me. and it seemed to me that had
thrown of something that had trou-
bled me, some great evil that had over
hung me. and | had passed to a con-
valescence of perfect happiness.
Alas. while supremely happy in this
companionship. | felt my love slip
ping through my arms and saw her
floating over the surface OF the wa
ter toward the mouth Of the cavern.