Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-30

Nathaniel Hawthorne. 1904 1854. was an
| American writer OF romances ana snort
novel; ssSasfs rhe scarlet Letter and his COLI
lection OF HTwice-Told Talcs,"o
Prom my childhood I have loved to
gaze into a spring. In one spot, In the
spring into which was now gazing,
the gush of water violently agitated the
sand-~it appeared as II some living crea-
ture we're about to emerge. the Naiad OF
the spring. perhaps, in the shape OF q
beautiful young woman. with gown OF
filmy water-moss, belt OF rainbow
drops, and cold, pure, passionless
countenance.
Reclining on the border OF grass,
where the dewy goddess should have
been. I bent forward. and pair OF
eyes met mine within the watery mir
ror. They were the reflection OF my
own, looked again~~ar1d lol~-another
face. deeper in the fountain than my
own image, more distinct in all the fea-
lures, yet faint as thought The vision
had the aspect OF a fair young girl. with
locks of pale gold
A mirthful expression laughed In the
eyes and dimpled over the whole
Shadowy countenance, till 1t seemed Just
what fountain would be. II. while
dancing merrily into the sunshine, it
should assume the shape OF a woman.
Through the dim rosiness OF the
cheeks. / could see the brown leaves.
the Shiny twigS, the acorns, and the
sparkling sand The solitary sunbeam
was diffused among the golden hair,
which melted into its faint brightness.
and became glory round that head
so beautiful.
MY description can give no idea how
suddenly the fountain was thus in
habited. and how soon 1t was left DESC
late. l breathed and there was the
face! l held my breath. and 1t was
gone! Had 1t passed away, or faded
into nothing? l doubted whether 1t
had ever been.
For long time I sat perfectly still,
waiting till 1t should reappear, ana
fearful that the slightest motion, or
even the fiutter of my breath, might
frighten 1t away. Was she water
nymph? Or fairy or woodland goddess?
or had lovely girl. with a warm heart
and lips that would bear pressure,
stolen softly behind me. and thrown her
image into the spring?
I watched and waited. butt no vision
came again. Sad and heavy. was re-
turning TO the village. Between me and
the church Spire rose little hill. on 1t
a group of trees. Glory and gloom were
mingled In the placid light Of late aft
ernoon. / was admirin6 the picture
when the shape of young girl
emerged from behind the clump OF
trees.
NV heart knew her 1t was the vision:
out so distant and ethereal did she seem
so unmixed with earth. so imbued with
the pensive glory of the spot where she
vas standing. that my spirit sunk within
me. sadder than before. How could l
ever reach her?
While I gazed sudden shower came
pattering down upon the leaves. In
moment the air was full OF brightness,
each raindrop catching q portion or
sunlight as it fell. and the whole gen.
lie shower appearing Ike a mist. A ram
bow. vivid as Niagara's, was painted IN
the air. It's southern limb came down
before the group of trees, and envel-
oued the fair vision, as II the hues
OF heaven were the only garment LOT
her beauty.
Wnen the rainbow vanished, she, who
had seemed part of 1t, was no longer
there. Was her existence ABSORBED IN
natures loveliest phenomenon. ana did
her pure frame dissolve away in the
varied light? Yet, would not despair
of her return. for, robed In the ram
bow. she was the emblem OF hope
Thus did the vision leave me. and
many a doleful day followed that part
ing moment. BY the spring and In the
wood and on the hill and through the