A visit to a cave some miles away Was next in order. So, one sunny day, Four prancing steeds conveyed a laughing load Of merry pleasure-seekers o'er the road.
A basket picnic, music, and croquet Were in the programme. Skies were blue and clear, And cool winds whispered of the Autumn near.
The merry-makers filled the time with pleasure:
Some floated to the music's rhythmic measure, Some played, some promenaded on the green.
Ticked off by happy hearts, the moments passed.
The afternoon, all glow and glimmer, came.
Helen and Roy were leaders of some game, And Vivian was not visible.
"Maurine, I challenge you to climb yon cliff with me!
And who shall tire, or reach the summit last Must pay a forfeit," cried a romping maid.
"Come! start at once, or own you are afraid."
So challenged I made ready for the race, Deciding first the forfeit was to be A handsome pair of bootees to replace The victor's loss who made the rough ascent.
The cliff was steep and stony. On we went As eagerly as if the path was Fame, And what we climbed for, glory and a name.
My hands were bruised; my garments sadly rent, But on I clambered. Soon I heard a cry, "Maurine! Maurine! my strength is wholly spent!
You've won the boots! I'm going back--good-bye!"
And back she turned, in spite of laugh and jeer.
I reached the summit: and its solitude, Wherein no living creature did intrude, Save some sad birds that wheeled and circled near, I found far sweeter than the scene below.
Alone with One who knew my hidden woe, I did not feel so much alone as when I mixed with th' unthinking throngs of men.
Some flowers that decked the barren, sterile place I plucked, and read the lesson they conveyed, That in our lives, albeit dark with shade And rough and hard with labour, yet may grow The flowers of Patience, Sympathy, and Grace.
As I walked on in meditative thought, A serpent writhed across my pathway; not A large or deadly serpent; yet the sight Filled me with ghastly terror and affright.
I shrieked aloud: a darkness veiled my eyes - And I fell fainting 'neath the watchful skies.
I was no coward. Country-bred and born, I had no feeling but the keenest scorn For those fine lady "ah's" and "oh's" of fear So much assumed (when any man is near).
But God implanted in each human heart A natural horror, and a sickly dread Of that accursed, slimy, creeping thing That squirms a limbless carcass o'er the ground.
And where that inborn loathing is not found You'll find the serpent qualities instead.
Who fears it not, himself is next of kin, And in his bosom holds some treacherous art Whereby to counteract its venomed sting.
And all are sired by Satan--Chief of Sin.
Who loathes not that foul creature of the dust, However fair in seeming, I distrust.
I woke from my unconsciousness, to know I leaned upon a broad and manly breast, And Vivian's voice was speaking, soft and low, Sweet whispered words of passion, o'er and o'er.
I dared not breathe. Had I found Eden's shore?
Was this a foretaste of eternal bliss?
"My love," he sighed, his voice like winds that moan Before a rain in Summer-time, "my own, For one sweet stolen moment, lie and rest Upon this heart that loves and hates you both!
O fair false face! Why were you made so fair!
O mouth of Southern sweetness! that ripe kiss That hangs upon you, I do take an oath HIS lips shall never gather. There!--and there!
I steal it from him. Are you his--all his?
Nay, you are mine, this moment, as I dreamed - Blind fool--believing you were what you seemed - You would be mine in all the years to come.
Fair fiend! I love and hate you in a breath.
O God! if this white pallor were but DEATH, And I were stretched beside you, cold and dumb, My arms about you, so--in fond embrace!
My lips pressed, so--upon your dying face!"
"Woman, how dare you bring me to such shame!
How dare you drive me to an act like this, To steal from your unconscious lips the kiss You lured me on to think my rightful claim!
O frail and puny woman! could you know The devil that you waken in the hearts You snare and bind in your enticing arts, The thin, pale stuff that in your veins doth flow Would freeze in terror.
Strange you have such power To please or pain us, poor, weak, soulless things - Devoid of passion as a senseless flower!
Like butterflies, your only boast, your wings.
There, now I scorn you--scorn you from this hour, And hate myself for having talked of love!"
He pushed me from him. And I felt as those Doomed angels must, when pearly gates above Are closed against them.
With a feigned surprise I started up and opened wide my eyes, And looked about. Then in confusion rose And stood before him.
"Pardon me, I pray!"
He said quite coldly. "Half an hour ago I left you with the company below, And sought this cliff. A moment since you cried, It seemed, in sudden terror and alarm.
I came in time to see you swoon away.
You'll need assistance down the rugged side Of this steep cliff. I pray you take my arm."
So, formal and constrained, we passed along, Rejoined our friends, and mingled with the throng To have no further speech again that day.
Next morn there came a bulky document, The legal firm of Blank and Blank had sent, Containing news unlooked for. An estate Which proved a cosy fortune--nowise great Or princely--had in France been left to me, My grandsire's last descendant. And it brought A sense of joy and freedom in the thought Of foreign travel, which I hoped would be A panacea for my troubled mind, That longed to leave the olden scenes behind With all their recollections, and to flee To some strange country.
I was in such haste To put between me and my native land The briny ocean's desolating waste, I gave Aunt Ruth no peace, until she planned To sail that week, two months: though she was fain To wait until the Springtime. Roy Montaine Would be our guide and escort.
No one dreamed The cause of my strange hurry, but all seemed To think good fortune had quite turned my brain.
