Middletown transcript., 1920-06-19
CHAPTER v.
Alice.

~~-
for wood that lay on the northern
end of the estate. This was the most
picturesque spot on the property,
wild confusion of trees and boulders.
On a summit in the midst of it Uncle
Bash had built a platform round
majestic pine from which to view the
Sound. mounted the ladder and was
brushing the dead leaves from the
bench when, somewhere below me and
farther on, I heard voices.
"Try it from that boulder there.
Alice;" said Mrs. Farnsworth. ITS
an ideal place, created for the very
purpose"
could see them moving about and
hear the swish Of shrubbery and the
scraping of their feet on the rough
slope.
"How will that do:" asked Alice.
beautifully" replied Mrs. Farms
worth. "Now go ahead from the be-
ginning Of the scene
Cautiously drawing back the
branches, I espied Alice striking a
pose on a mammoth rock. She bent
forward, clasping her knees, and with
an occasional glance at what appeared
| to be an open book beside her, she
began:
"You ask me who I am, my lord? I?
It matters not at all who or what
am; let it suffice that berries are my
food and the brook that sings behind
me gives me drink. To be one thing
or another is weariness. Would you
ask yonder oak for a name, or trouble
the wind with like foolish questions?
No; it is enough that tree is strong
and fine to look upon and that wind
has healing in its wings"
With her head to one side and an
arresting gesture, and throwing into
her voice all its charm and new
compelling innocence and sweetness,
she continued:
"But you would have a name? Then,
Oh foolish one. so much l will tell
you: Yesterday was Helen, who
launched thousand ships and shock
| the topless towers of Ilium. Today
I am Rosalind in the forest Of Arden,
and tomorrow may be Antigone, or
Ariel or Viola, or what you will. l
am what I make myself or choose 10
be. I pray you, let that suffice"
NV face was wet with perspiration,
and my heart thumped wildly. For
either I was stark. staring mad, or
these were lines from Searles' Lady
Larkspur," the manuscript Of which
was carefully locked in my trunk.
THAT should be spoken a trifle
more slowly, and with the best air of
unpremeditatedness you can put into
it," Airs. Farnsworth was saying.
"You can work it out better when
you've mcmorized the lines. It's i'm
mensely effective having the last scene
come back to the big boulder on the
mountainside. Let me look at that a
minute
She took up the manuscript-there
was no question of the blue cover of
my copy Of LADY Larkspur''-and
turned to the passage she sought.
LET me read this over" Mrs.
Farnsworth continued: "I have
played, my lord. at hide-and-seek with
the stars, and I have run races with
the brooks. You alone of all that have
sought me are equally fleet of foot
and heart! If you but touch my hand,
I am lost forever. And this hand
1 beg you look at it's as brown as
q berry and as rough as hickory bark.
A wild little hand and not lightly to
be yielded at any mans behest. Look
at me carefully, my lord She rises
to full height quickly. Let me see
you do that, Alice"
Alice's golden head became more
distinctively visible as she stood erect
upon the boulder.
"Oh, no! You can improve on that
it must be done lightly and quickly,
just touching the tips Of your fingers
to the rock. All, splendidt Now
stand with one hand dropped upon the
hip-let me see how that looks. Very
good; now repeat these lines after
me. This other world, of which you
speak?' Shake your head slowly,
frowning; every hint of sincere doubt
and questioning you can throw into
look and gesture. Is it kind world,
place of honest hearts? You have
spoken of cities, and crowded avenues,
Of music and theaters and many things
l have read Of but never seen. You
promise me much, but what should
do in so vast company? I am very
happy here. Spring and summer flll
my hands with flowers and in winte.
lay my face to the wind that Carries
sleet and snow. All this is mine.
Arms stretched out You mustn't
make that stiff-very good. Earth