At the close of a warm sunny day they alighted at “Willow Grove,” the
name of the station nearest their future home. Wagons were in waiting,
upon which their effects were loaded.
“But we will walk!” said Owen, “only ten minutes. The exercise will do
us good, after our long confinement with scarcely any movement.”
And with an arm encircling Cora’s waist he led the way. Many were the
exclamations of delight as beauty after beauty unfolded itself before
their eyes, but when a turn in the roadway brought in full view the
imposing stone structure with its many arches and turrets, its profusion
of vines and flowers, a long drawn “Oh!” escaped from each beholder.
Owen drew Cora aside so as to permit the next couple, Lawrence and
Hilda, to be first. Silently every man bared his head. Lawrence kissed
the little hand resting upon his arm,
“Our Hilda’s Home!”
With hands clasped above her heart Hilda stood and gazed.
“My dream realized! Mine the dream, but yours,” turning to Owen, “the
realization. To you belongs the honor and greatness of this hour.”
“Tut, tut, little one! How worthless my millions without the
plan,—without the work of the mighty mind. Have you no wish reserved for
the architect?”
With tears suffusing her sight she turned and extended both hands to
Lawrence, who reverently knelt and bowed his head over them.
“Mine own! I may hope to win you now. To be worthy of your sweet love!”
Edith and Paul saw, and a quick glance of comprehension flashed from eye
to eye.
Owen’s arm encircled his precious Cora and a mystical silence fell over
this band of lovers. Who of them all could resist the supreme eloquence
of the hour? Margaret leaned her head against Wilbur’s shoulder and
Wilbur’s dark head was bowed over Margaret’s fair one, reminding one of
“Faust and Gretchen.” Imelda’s wine-brown eyes were drinking in the
adoration of Norman’s blue ones. Her hands went up to his face, taking
it between them.
“You understand me now?”
“Long, long ago, my dear one.”
And a kiss followed the words, a seal, the emblem of his love and trust.
Milton’s hand pressed a blonde head to his breast and the bright, happy
face that is turned up to him promises oblivion for the dark hours in
his past life.
Our stately Edith must not be forgotten. A warm glow suffuses her cheeks
as she also is drawn closer to a manly breast, and glancing up her dark
lustrous eyes meet those of the young physician in unutterable love and
trust.
Mrs. Leland is looking on; her eyes wander from the grand structure over
the spacious grounds and thence from couple to couple, every face
illumined with a commingling of love, hope and joy, as they stand
knocking at the door of an unknown world. Will it fulfill all their
expectations? Her eyes fill with tears. Unconsciously she folds her
hands as she reads the love-lit faces and sees there the fond hopes that
unite each lover couple. Presently an arm steals about her neck and a
cherished voice says,
“I will be your lover, my own mother. You are too young, by far, to be
thus left alone!”
She smiles as she answers:
“I know you are that, my boy, but in time you will be a true lover of a
true and perfect woman.”
Meanwhile the younger portion of our band make themselves more noisily
heard. They feel the influence of the surrounding beauty, and, as is
natural, give vent to exultant cries and shouts. Presently Elmer’s voice
is heard demanding:
“I say, why are we all standing out here? I am hungry and tired; a bath
and supper will go good, I’ll wager.”
Thus admonished a forward movement was again made, and in a very few
minutes the welcoming portals had opened and received them. Flowers!
flowers! A profusion of flowers everywhere. Each room had been furnished
and decorated with a view to being especially adapted to the tastes of
its future inmate. Owen took delight in pointing out each room to its
owner. When all had sufficiently admired their sanctums a half hour was
spent in baths and other refreshments. Pretty, airy and comfortable
dresses were donned. Some of the rare flowers that filled the vases were
fastened in the hair and at the waists of our happy girls and on the
coat lapels of those of the masculine gender. Then the way to the
drawing room was found, or simply the “parlor,” as was the term for this
surpassingly beautiful room.
Soon all had gathered in. The lovely “salon” had been duly admired—such
comfort and ease, so cosy and homelike. Everything beautiful. Rich, but
not too grand for use. Dinner, supper, or whatever you might choose to
call the evening meal, was then announced, and all repaired to the
dining hall. Have we already described this room? No! Then we must enter
with our dear friends and while noting the effect upon them we will try
to describe, just a little, what kind of place it was that had been
selected in which to partake of the main meal of the day.
An apartment ample in dimensions; high and arched; with walls of glass
to permit the light of day to flood the place; for other life was here
to thrive than that alone of our free love circle. Rare plants; palms
and cactus; trailing vines; sweet-scented flowers in great profusion and
under canopies as in an alcove, the dining table had been set, covered
with snowy linen and decked with flowers. Flowers in all shapes and
forms, and of all colors. Above the table suspended from the ceiling was
hung a large bell, formed of white carnations, held in place by two
cupids floating in the air. The center of the table held a huge basin of
finest porcelain, forming a miniature pond containing a delicate
fountain showering coolness into the sweet-scented air. The basin itself
filled with the most perfect of water lilies, the golden centers
gleaming in the snowy depths. Vases filled with rare roses; delicate
green wreathings; the various dishes; while the air was filled with
delicious music,—low and sweet. Luscious fruits, nuts and sweet new
milk, and such simple fare, formed the chief part of the repast that had
been prepared. Meats and rich pastries had been dispensed with. But when
had the participants ever enjoyed a meal more keenly? The folding doors
of those transparent walls had been thrown wide open and the pure
refreshing evening air was wafted to them, bearing with it the promise
of golden future; while jest and wit and mirth flashed and sparkled like
costly jewels in the bright gas light.
But time was gliding by on tireless wings. The sun was nearing the
horizon, casting its last golden rays aslant upon distant waters of the
river, and farther on the lake, causing the waters to be resplendent
with the reflection of the setting orb. Like a living, glowing,
quivering mass of liquid fire were the dancing, rippling waves, and all
looked on this display of nature’s charms with a feeling of awe and
veneration. Silently they stood grouped, loving forms were drawn closer
and firmer together as they watched the grand and glorious sight. Slowly
the glowing orb sank beyond the distant heights; slowly the waters
changed their gleaming brilliance to a more somber quietness; and as
daylight disappeared ushering in the twilight with its fantastic
shadows, the coming night sent forth its heralds, the weird humming of
the near insects and the occasional hoot of the distant owl. The rising
moon cast its mellow rays on the peaceful landscape, causing the waters
of the lake in the distance to gleam with a silvery sheen. All these
brought with them a quiet peace that could never be felt in the heart of
the busy city.
No music or song thrilled the air on this first evening in the new home.
Hearts were too full for utterance; too full for mirthful joy. Tired
with their journey, filled with grave and subtile musings our friends
sought quiet rather than mirth. The new life had begun. Dreams were now
to be tested, verified, and each and all looked anxiously to the
future—a future filled with hope, with trust, with high anticipation,
and yet never for one moment forgetting that this same future would
bring grave duties and responsibilities—duties and responsibilities that
would show whether or not this little band of reformers, of innovators,
was composed of the right elements to achieve success in a comparatively
untried field of human endeavor.