Year: 1875

OF hope and memory glitter, is the I'm


print of the perisha5le. For tim


shall cease to be when eternity's reig


shall come.
| The early shades of evening wer


slanting across the biIlow- kissed beacl


as lonely woman stole out from th


hotel, and wandered slowly on the san,


and shells. Twas the perfection o


summer, this golden August day, ant


in the distance the song of the reaperl
came with mellow cadence to her ear
The ocean seemed to have hushed it
anthem in worshipping lull, and thu
waves were sun-tinted and breez'
dimpled. In the distance, on the
waters bosom cleaned sail like {
pearly 1eck in setting of azure. The
hour was still and tranquil, and only
the faint weird song of the harvesters
broke the silence. And here in the
cleaning wandered the woman, white
slender and shadowy. The same ir-
risistible grace Of old clung to her and
made her step firm and queen-like,
She wore on her face the whiteness OF
spirit, and the smile of an angel tri-
umphant, transcendant. A lace shawl
was pinned around her head to pro-
tect it from the dew and it enhanced
the pallor of her face and the glitter of
the scintillant eyes. Her exquisite
peace of mind was mirrored on her
features in light and smiles. Her sick
ness had left her thin and wasted, but
her soul was unfettered from the
realms of painful doubt, and gladness
lit the eyes and hoyered around the
coral lips in sunny smiles. She had
conquered her stubborn pride and sui
dued all willful impulses, and as she
fingered on the sand in the sweet sum-
mer twilight, she felt that she was
nearer tonight than she had ever been
before. Muspg there, Tennyson's
quaint old poem rose up to her mind.
Break, break, break on thy cold grey


stone, oh F! sea,


And wish that my heart could utter the


thoughts that arise in me-"


She was very happy tonight; why
she could not tell, but in the orphans
heart was throb of supreme bliss.
Perhaps it was the seas soft lullaby
thar charmed her soul. Perhaps the
faint song of the reapers stole over and
entranced her senses. Perhaps, who
knows? There is divinity that watts
us into joy-land. we know not how,
and tonight Willis had but one wish,
lust for the touch of vanished hand,
and the sound of voice that is still.
Weary, dragging months had crept by
since she felt the touch of the firm,
strong hand, or heard the melody Of
the voice that thrilled her heart. "Ohl
would he never come ?" she sighed as
the long, convaleseent days rolled by
on leaden wings. And he had not
come, and tomorrow they were to re-
trace their steps home-ward. Still she
was happy-happy in the thought of
restored health and in the thought of
the harvest of good she was to sow in
the bright by-and- -by-happy because
she could not help it, and the song
gushed out from her lips,


''Break, break. break at the foot of thy


erags, o sea-"


The echo of her sweet voice rang
over the waves, and the sea-gull, star
tied by the melody, hushed its shrill
cry. She had left the little village
with the song of the reapers far behind
and solitude and song was all her own.
She sank down on the sand and wind
ing her arms around a wave-washed
rock, she pillowed her head there and
sat looking sea-ward with strange
thrill of exquisite bliss in her throb-
bing heart. The sun-tint had faded
from the sea, and the clustering west
ern clouds were darkening swiftly, but
she gave no heed to these night heralds
and still sat with dreaming ecstasy by
the lone rock by the sea" Her head
was thrown back on the hard, rock
pillow and her eyes wandered out over
the waste of water as if searching for
some charmed isle of the ocean. where
she might feast her gaze forever. The
lace mantle had fallen slightly back
from the face and dropped from her
shoulders with subtle, sovereign grace.
The light of her eye was eager and
wistful, and the hand with the quaint
cleaning cameo was firmly clasped on
the sea-stone.


How long she sat there she never
knew. but quick. firm step on the
sand startled her, and she sprang up
in time to face the tall form which was
fastening around the rocks. Bewild
cred and frightened she did not re-
cognizc the new conner, and gathering
the shawl over head she started quick
ly to retrace her steps. "Willis." The
sweet, musical name rang out on the
summer breeze, and the sea-waves
catching the sound seemed to echo
back, Willis, Willis"


At the sound of the voice she halted
and turned to the stranger with glad
light of recognition in her eye. Clasp
ing her hand to her heart, she stood
dreamily happy as the gentleman ad-
vanced. Child have you forgotten
me?"


OIL no, the mellow music of his
voice was not forgotten. The misty
splendor of his eyes was upon her, the
blissful boon of his presence was again
granted her. WithSa glad, low cry she
sprang forward, "Oh no, no, not for
gotten" He folded her to his bosom
and the proud head dropped on his
shoulder. Forgotten, no." she re-
peated. did you think 1 could ever
forget you?" The voice was low and
tremulous.


Willis Waters" he held her from
him and gazed long and earnestly into