PS 3549 .1505 1907 4 o o , o - -^> O - . , , - ,, ^^0^ r^ .'^' . >? XXC, NO. /y 3 3 1 i COPY b. T5 Copyright 3 907 k/o >^H.y y^KotAef ^M S'^/fM^ ./Lu ^ Y c:^(mfnc/'maj(/ Prelude 4^HINK of autumn, or, as well. Late autumn, glorious Indian summer; On its weird beauty and pathos dwell ; 'Mid its mazes turn to a newcomer. You start and gaze askance ■. You, too, feel her strange, sweet spell ; With every graceful move, perchance, Does tidal admiration swell. You intuitively yearn, and not in vain, Old and new problems here to solve; Strange the mingling of pleasure and pain, This mystical creature can involve. Spell-bound, forgetting you are rude. Watching her varying emotions With autumn graces so imbued. Sympathizing unconsciously with her notions. Such expressive features has she, Eyes so thoughtfully deep and blue- More of heaven than earth can see. Gaze on ; give credence to the view. Unterlude 14 OW in the moving panorama came a change With quick step in seeming agitation A man came within range Of vision, wrapped in meditation. With noble brow and piercing eye, Features e'en though stern, yet tender; One on whom you could rely For justice, eager a service to render. As DeLores from her reverie woke, Started back and the path surrendered — From loosened clasps her cloak Falling, the intruder caught and tendered. She as courteously acknowledged it ; While falteringly, with voice so broken, He begged, **Do me a favor far infinite, Let your decision be my token. I presume you see my agitation, Its cause permit me to unfold ; Maddened by a rival's exultation, My conflicting emotions you behold." DeLores raised her hand imperiously, And, in tender, eager tones, replied : "Spare details, and seriously Learn what jealousy will betide: Oft a quivering heart decideth Love to give a crucial test, As jealousy with love abideth, Claiming its v^eapon 'gainst unrest- Crying Further uncertainty I cannot bear, Maddening visions cannot face; A doting rival Til ensnare To hasten a laggard lover's pace. Pleading Jealousy quickeneth love anew, Kindleth oft a slumbering fire, Scattereth doubt e'en as the dew Without trace; worthy its hire — Concluding All to stake on just one throw — Tender, hesitating love ariseth, Changed to adamant, and lo ! Her late trembling throes despiseth- Shrieking Wild words to unheeding air, For jealousy hath no sense of reason And thinketh evil. Ah! beware, Too often, doubt is vilest treason. Presto! The drama in lurid glare ablaze. All is at riot in the rival's field. See the Explorer of jealousy gaze On vanished trust, her truest shield. Realizing" Jealousy begets suspicion Fans love-flame to fever heat — 'Mid its roar without remission Embers of tenderness retreat." With bowed head and folded arms, Silently her listener stood. In answer to weird alarms A red fox scurried through the wood. Then while she paused, a Hngering ray Of sunshine gHnting o'er her head — "Thanks ! I hope I may Reclaim my own/' he said. "Let me transmit, ere I return, Congratulations to the man Whom you may one day learn To love — as one your nature can. I agree with Gladstone's attestation — To be womanly is the greatest charm of woman/ In mannish roles and avocation She becomes a creature wild, inhuman. Ere I pass on let me direct you to your right, A picture there you will behold Your fitting companion piece, in mellow light. Watch the rosy dawn of love unfold." The picture proved worthy DeLores' scrutiny. While she paused, fearing to intrude, Admiration and wonder in mutiny, Vieing with curiosity, for an interview sued. Under her steady, insistent gaze, The maiden on the rustic seat Enveloped in the autumn haze Rose, as though to retreat — A soft glow o'er lip and brow An all-absorbing, living joy, The crown of love's dream glittering now In burnished rays, without alloy. Twas plain to those who faced this view That love in triumph here stood guard. Jealousy, they instinctively knew, Love's fulfillment here did not retard. The maiden turned to greet her prince, Who, suddenly, with eager force Appeared ; a tower of strength he, since Mysterious love o'ertook his course. For who dare deny love's sovereign power, Who has not known its thrill ? While Cupid from his leafy bower Sends arrows where he will. In silent and sympathetic appreciation Another observer of this woodland scene, Beholding DeLores, became all animation. In his life had come the moment supreme. He had known DeLores as a child — Had watched the delicate maid Seek foreign climes, and with mild Patience, battle 'gainst sufferings' raid. Groping in darkness, the spiritual light Had, through her gentle admonition, To live for good, and fight for the right. Brought him widespread recognition. Yes, he remembered her generous pleas For mercy, with justice to all mankind: ''If we were tossed in their tempestuous seas Cause and effect might be clearly defined. How dare we judge another's deeds — Know we the temptations they have resisted? While justice takes the stand and pleads The strength of forces 'gainst them 'listed. If we acknowledge our Father here We know He will welcome us home. The comfort of prayer hath no peer. Peace beckons from the starry dome." Remembering these words of DeLores, And, in tender appreciation, stepping to greet her. The stranger paused, as doleful barks in chorus Rent the air. A sudden whir and stir — Simultaneously the report of a hunter's gun ! Oh, strange, weird, inscrutable fate ! Bathed in the red glow of the autumn sun, DeLores lay dead by the rustic gate. ^ostlude ¥ NVOLUNTARILY we came Into this world of weal and woe — Our mission, port, aye! very name, Knew not. Continuing to grow^ — We Involuntarily obeyed the dictates Of our own sweet wills, And faced, dismayed, alarming rates For sugar coats o'er bitter pills. While Involuntarily proud of self, Strong in our own imagined strength, Sought we fleeting power, fame, wealth. Arduously attaining our goal at length. Suddenly Involuntarily, helplessly, shrank we back ; Dead sea-fruit our achievements, all; Our tortured soul on human rack. Struggled for submission to God's call. Even Involuntarily, we longed for rest, Yet God seemed far, far away; Then something whispered, "I attest. Peace be vouchsafed — ^^surrender — ^pray." Unannounced Involuntarily opened love's illumined way — Enabled with love's eyes to see. And through heart communion, say — Faith claims oft, sweet victory. m ,a 1907