CONCLUSION.
The maples in front of Liddy's home were just showing the first tints of
autumn color when Manson returned. It had been a long three weeks of
separation to her, and her first words contained a note of reproach.
"You might have written me once or twice, Charlie," she said; "the days
have seemed so long!"
"I could not," he replied; "I was lost to the world on an island twenty
miles from a post office, and letters were not in style there. The
people are so far removed from the world they do not seem to think
communication of any value. It is a wild and romantic spot, and the only
thing I do not like about it is every house has two or three tombstones
close by."
He seemed in a surprisingly cheerful mood, and described his visit and
the friends he had met in glowing words. One incident of his visit,
however, he withheld, and for a purpose. The little, half-jesting remark
Liddy had made a month previous on Blue Hill--a remark merely expressive
of her pride--still lingered in his mind, and he was resolved to test
that pride in his own peculiar way.
A short distance from her house and near the brook was a rustic seat
beneath the maple. Many hours she had passed there with him, and many
more alone with only sad thoughts for company, when the brook's music
seemed a voice of sympathy. Even when a child she had learned to love
this spot, and the low, sweet murmur of the stream. Early that evening,
when the full moon had just appeared over Blue Hill, they intuitively
sought this familiar place. Perhaps the joy in their hearts added a new
charm, for the ripples in the brook appeared like so many laughing water
sprites dancing there in the silvery light. For a few moments they
silently yielded to the magic witchery of the time and place, and then
she could contain herself no longer. She had noticed his unusual
elation--even more than could be ascribed to his gladness at being once
more beside her, and, grown accustomed to his ways, knew there was a
surprise in store.
"Well, Charlie," she said at last, with a bright smile, "you need not
wait to take me up to Blue Hill this time to tell your story. Tell it
now. You have some good news, for I can see it in your face. What is
it?"
He looked at her a moment in silence, and then answered:
"Yes, I have a story to tell you, and one that will more than surprise
you, but first I have a question to ask. Do you remember the promise you
made me a month ago?"
The thought of that tender pledge and his now evident intention to ask
its fulfillment brought the color to her face, but she bravely answered:
"I have never made a promise and failed to keep it. I shall not begin
now."
Then, as the question he asked and the answer he received were heard
only by the elfin sprites dancing in the brook beside them, so we will
leave it to those fairies to tell if they choose. Suffice it to say it
was such as filled his heart so full of happiness it could no longer
hold a secret, and there, where the moonlight fell in little rifts upon
them, and the music of running water echoed their feelings, he told her
the strange story of Pocket Island, and what he had found in the cave.
When late that evening they returned to the house, never again in their
lives did the man in the moon seem to smile so graciously or the brook
sound so sweet.
Then one day--a day bright above all others to them, when nature seemed
aglow with joyous color--all those who were near and dear gathered to
listen to their vows, and wish them well in life. Whether those kind
wishes were deserved or not, and whether the Fates that direct the steps
of all human kind led theirs along the pleasant walks of prosperity and
happiness, or among the rocks and thorns of adversity, we will leave to
the imagination of those who have read this story, for here their
history ends.
It is told that when Jove, the mythological ruler of the universe,
conceived the creation of the human race, he sent Pandora to the realms
of Pluto to bring him the box containing all the good and evil impulses
he intended to select from in his creative work. He gave her strict
orders not to open the box, lest its contents escape and work woe to the
coming mortals. But as woman's curiosity never was restrained by any
power, human or divine, since Mother Eve ate apples, and most likely
never will be, no sooner had Pandora set out upon her return than she
lifted the lid of that fatal box, and the result to the human race need
not be enlarged upon. One good result came from her disobedience,
however, for, seeing her error in time, she closed the cover before Hope
escaped, and so that blessed impulse came to be shared alike by mortals.
Life at best is but an enigma, and like children pursuing an Ignis
Fatuus, so do we all pursue the illusive beacon light of a brighter and
happier to-morrow--always hoping, never attaining, though striving ever
until, wearied of the vain pursuit, at last we fall by the wayside and
are forgotten.
THE END.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
_Now Read The Great New England Novel_
UNCLE TERRY
By CHARLES CLARK MUNN
"I wa'n't consulted 'bout comin' into this world, an' I don't expect
ter be 'bout goin' out."
--UNCLE TERRY.
"I take some comfort livin' an' try to pass it along."
--UNCLE TERRY.
Richly Bound Gilt Top
Fully Illustrated
370 Pages
Price $1.50
A Fascinating Love Story
LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS
202 Devonshire Street, Boston
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
UNCLE TERRY
_The Great New England Novel_
Boston _Herald_:
"The author writes in a frank, indulgent, and hearty manner,
skilfully outlining his characters."
Boston _Transcript_:
"It is a sincere and unpretending study of life, wrought with
care."
Pittsburg _Bulletin_:
"The plot is well contrived, and the tale draws the reader along
with increasing interest until the end."
Boston _Saturday Evening Gazette_:
"The author has a keen knowledge of character, and it is abundantly
displayed in his novel."
Springfield _Republican_:
"'Uncle Terry' is an 'original Yankee,' full of native wit and
humor, genial, kind-hearted, and full of the milk of human
kindness."
Providence _News_:
"Mr. Munn's people and the scenery of his tale will be readily
recognized by thousands."
LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS
BOSTON
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
UNCLE TERRY
_The Great New England Novel_
_Worcester Magazine_:
"Infinitely superior to the lurid 'sword-play' novels that have had
such a vogue."
St. Paul _Globe_:
"Like the scent of lavender arising from things fresh and old, this
story comes."
Rochester _Herald_:
"Before you have gone through the first chapter of 'Uncle Terry'
you are firmly convinced that you are going to like it, and when
you discover that it conceals a most interesting secret, nothing
short of a fire-alarm would induce you to put it aside."
Springfield _Sunday Republican_:
"A hearty and truthful tale of New England character in its best
qualities of sturdy purpose, honest simplicity, and a certain trait
which one might term 'sweetness at the core.'"
Boston _Globe_:
"The author has succeeded in filling a new niche in the quaint
academy of immortals."
LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS
BOSTON
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
UNCLE TERRY
_The Great New England Novel_
Boston _Courier_:
"Uncle Terry is an estimable type of hardy fisherman, honest and
plain-spoken, but manifesting in his phrasing a subtle sarcasm that
is amusing."
Pittsburg _Chronicle-Telegraph_:
"People who like the smell of salt air in their novels (and who
does not?) will be pleased with 'Uncle Terry.'"
Philadelphia _Literary Era_:
"Other sections of the country have had their great novels. New
England character and scenery have now felt the touch of a master
hand."
Boston _Beacon_:
"Uncle Terry himself is a genuine creation, and his humor and
shrewd philosophy are a constant delight."
San Francisco _Bulletin_:
"The tone is everywhere as pure and wholesome as green fields and
mirthful brooks, to all lovers of which the book is dedicated."
LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS
BOSTON
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
_In Preparation_
ROCKHAVEN
_The Story of a Scheme_
By CHARLES CLARK MUNN, Author of "Pocket Island" and "Uncle Terry."
Mr. Munn's next book will be out in the spring of 1902, and cannot fail
to take immediate rank among the leading works of fiction. Successful as
Mr. Munn has been, his next work promises a combined strength and
sweetness that will place his name far higher. "Rockhaven" has the
crisp, salty vigor of the sea, the quaint expressions and sound
philosophy of shrewd country people, the restless drive of city life,
with the mad whirl of a modern financial crisis, all forming a most
strong and effective setting for a sweet and wholesome love story, and
one sure to please the many thousands who have already read Mr. Munn's
writings with keen interest.
The development of the financial "scheme" which forms the basis of the
story, and its stupendous success and corresponding crash, are handled
with intense dramatic force, and many salient points of modern life are
forcefully but sensibly discussed. The stress of the "street," the
poetic restfulness of the sea and shore, the charm of the country, and
the saving grace of true love, all these in the hand of a master form a
book to be eagerly awaited.
_To be ready in the spring of 1902. Price, $1.50_
LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS
BOSTON
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
BETTY SELDON, PATRIOT
_A Revolutionary Tale for Girls_
By ADELE E. THOMPSON, Author of "Beck's Fortune." Illustrated by
Lilian Crawford True. 12mo. Cloth. 300 pages. $1.25
It is a great deal to say of a book that it is at the same time
fascinating and noble. This is what "Betty Seldon, Patriot" is, and in
fact no one of the many who read and admired "Beck's Fortune" would
expect a book by Miss Thompson to be otherwise. Betty is a bright
Connecticut girl, happily as industrious and filial as she is
attractive. Her devotion to her father, a captain in the Continental
army, and her experience with a Tory uncle, who appears upon the
supposed death of her father and takes her to his home in Pennsylvania,
pretending to be her guardian, form the basis of the book. Historical
events are accurately traced leading up to the surrender of Cornwallis
at Yorktown, with reunion and happiness for all who deserve it. Betty is
worth a thousand of the fickle coquette heroines of some latter-day
popular novels, and the historical setting of the story is strong and
effective.
LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS
BOSTON
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
WAR AND ADVENTURE STORIES.
By EDWARD STRATEMEYER.
_Author of the Famous "Old Glory Series," "Bound to Succeed
Series," "Ship and Shore Series," etc._
FIRST VOLUME.
BETWEEN BOER AND BRITON Or Two Boys' Adventures in South Africa.
Illustrated by A. B. SHUTE.
Cloth. 354 pages. Price, $1.25.
"The story bristles with action."--_The Outlook_.
"A stirring story of the South African war."--_The Journal_,
Indianapolis, Ind.
"The kind of story to please boys and give them a fair idea of a great
historical event."--_St. Louis Post-Despatch_.
"Throughout the book there is evidence of that sympathy for the Boer
which prevails on this side of the Atlantic."--_Chronicle_, Chicago.
SECOND VOLUME.
ON TO PEKIN Or Old Glory in China.
Illustrated by A. B. SHUTE.
Cloth. 330 pages. Price, $1.25.
"Parents can feel, in putting this book into the hands of boys
and girls, that they are going to get and hold the interest by
the strenuous adventure, and at the same time enforce those
splendid old-fashioned traits of honesty, courage, and true
all-round manliness."--_Universalist Leader_.
"A thoroughly up-to-date book, full of incidents familiar to us, which
will suit the boys as well as be of interest to their parents."--_San
Francisco Call_.
For sale by all booksellers, or will be sent, prepaid,
on receipt of price by
LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers,
BOSTON.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FAMOUS "OLD GLORY SERIES."
By EDWARD STRATEMEYER,
Author of "The Bound to Succeed Series," "The Ship and Shore
Series," etc.
Six volumes. Cloth. Illustrated. Price per volume, $1.25.
UNDER DEWEY AT MANILA Or the War Fortunes of a Castaway.
A YOUNG VOLUNTEER IN CUBA Or Fighting for the Single Star.
FIGHTING IN CUBAN WATERS Or Under Schley on the Brooklyn.
UNDER OTIS IN THE PHILIPPINES Or a Young Officer in the Tropics.
THE CAMPAIGN OF THE JUNGLE Or Under Lawton through Luzon.
UNDER MacARTHUR IN LUZON Or the Last Battle in the Philippines.
"A boy once addicted to Stratemeyer stays by him."--_The Living Church_.
"The boys' delight--the 'Old Glory Series.'"--_The Christian Advocate_,
New York.
"Stratemeyer's style suits the boys."--John Terhune, _Supt. of Public
Instruction_, Bergen Co., New Jersey.
"Mr. Stratemeyer is in a class by himself when it comes to writing about
American heroes, their brilliant doings on land and sea."--_Times_,
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"Mr. Stratemeyer has written a series of books which, while historically
correct and embodying the most important features of the
Spanish-American War and the rebellion of the Filipinos, are
sufficiently interwoven with fiction to render them most entertaining to
young readers."--_The Call_, San Francisco.
For sale by all booksellers, or will be sent, prepaid,
on receipt of price by
LEE & SHEPARD, Publishers,
BOSTON.