The Argosy — page 245: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Never .. vw. 229 remind you of real life? Do we not often mistake the false for the true ? are we not prone to imagine such and such a thing good and great? its possession happiness unspeakable—so long as it is impossible to us? And when a leaf is turned in the book of life, and the impossible is within our grasp, does it not change aspect as completely as turning changes a kaleidoscope ? ” * But ” returned I. “But me no buts,” he interrupted, laughing. “I know what you would say : that you still regret the old rose. Well, what have I to do with that? Truth is truth, and to it all else must yield.” —~ kb SCR 94 — NEVER NOW. “ THE roses always bloom before I come, Or after I am gone :”— Laughing she spoke, as down the walk we passed The standards one by one. In answer to my words,—* A fortnight since These trees were gay with flow’r ; The rosery yonder shone with red and gold Like jewelled fairy bow’r.” - ‘Too soon ! too late! And is it even thus That joys elude the grasp P The hand, so warm before we sought its touch, Lies cold within our clasp : The smile, so ready when we heeded not, Has vanished now we turn : The present has no gift we count a prize; No secret we will learn : In spring we ask, impatient, for the fruit Autumn will surely bring ; With apples heaped about our feet, we sigh For blossoms of the spring. My lady’s words are ringing in my ears Like saddest notes of doom ; “‘ Before I come, or after I am gone, The roses always bloom.” EMMA RHODES. ECOMiIcoOOO KS. Com