The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-07


 me away across the ocean, away from the ship, away from London, away even from ! that fair fellow voyager, to the old oaks and the brooks and to thy side, sweet ! Isabel
 l Months passed and was in the sweet county of Devon. It's valleys are like em- eralds it's threads of waters glisten in the summer sun like skeins of silk. A bland old farmer of the true British type | is my host. Sometimes I wander far over the hills to neighboring park surround ing a stately hall and spend hours be- heath the sturdy oaks. In one of these random strolls-whle I was idly think | ing of the broad stretch of water that 1 lay between me and the old forest at home, I heard the tramp of horses com ing up the avenue. The sound was un- usual, for "the family" I had been told. was still in town and no right of way | lay through the park. There they were, however. I was sure it must be the family from the carless way in which they came sauntering up.
 First there was & noble hound which came bounding toward me-gazed a mo- ment and turned to watch the approach of the little cavalcade. Next an elderly gentleman mounted upon a spirited hum ter and attended by little boy of some dozen years, who managed his pony with l a grace that is part of an Englishman's S education. Then followed two older lads and travelling phaeton, in which sat a couple of elderly ladies. But what most drew my attention was girlish figure that rode beyond the carriage upon a sleek-limbed gray. There was something | in the easy grace of her attitude and the rich glow that lit up her face-height- ened as it was by the little black rid | ing cap, relieved by single plume companion of the ocean. She had told me that she was to visit friends in Devon.
 I recall perfectly her frank manner as she ungloved her hand and bid me well come. I walked beside the cavalcade to the steps of the hall and Old Devon sud enly renewed its charm for me. I be- came a guest of 'the family" and there were mad gallops down the avenues and new strolls-not alone-at eventide. The long summer twilights of England used to find a very happy fellow lingering on the garden terrace. looking now and then at the rookery where the belated birds were quarreling for resting place and now down the long vistas gray with tho distance and closed with the spire of Madbury church.
 But the time came when l had to say farewell. It was not easy. Her name as if I could forget it!-was Caroline. Her mother called her Carry As rode down the avenue after saying my farewells, wondered how it would seem to call her Carry. I tried it-it sounded well. I tried it over and over until came to near the lodge. There I threw a half crown to the woman who opened the gate for me. She courtesied low and said, God bless you, sir" liked her for it--I would have given a guinea for it. Garry. dear Carry," I thought.
 But that night through my dreams of Carry came the sweet face of Bella I dreamed that I saw her in an English park; that she wore a riding cap with "a plume; that I came up to her and said. Garry, dear Carry" and that she looked startled at me, looked sadly and turned away. Then I thought that I ran after her and kissed her as I did when once she sat as little child upon her mothers knee and had thrown my arms around her and cried, q do love you. Bella.'