The Argosy — page 95: what you’re looking at

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

80 Swallow, Swallow ! s her lovely golden head she wandered towards the old apple-tree. Yes, there was a note; andit ran thus - “My ADORED Littan,—Meet me to-morrow evening at eight— the old tree. Allis arranged, and we part no more !—A, C.” _ As her trembling hands refolded the paper, she raised her beau- tiful blue eyes and beheld a bird skimming low through the air. In uncontrollable sentiment she cried: ‘* Swallow, swallow! tell him I will come!” “By Jove, 20, swallow! she'll do nothing of the kind!” angrily exclaimed uncle’s voice. And at hearing the same, Lilian fainted. Five years after. ining, sorrowful, faithful? Oh dear, no. At seventeen Lilian was zgvorant ; at twenty-two she is a leader of fashion, and tke wife of a nonentity, with ten thousand a-year; and she says: ‘‘ My dear girls, avoid love if you can: but if you ever mean to indulge seriously in the foolish dream, avoid my pit-fall. Never talk ¢o birds!” MINNIE DouGcLas. SMS LIFE IS BUT A DAY. A BLITHESOME maid, at early morn, Comes tripping lightly o’er the lea ; Of all God’s creatures ever born The brightest, gladdest heart has she. And owning by her speech the sway ©f rapt emotion, she doth say :— ‘* How glad a thing is life!” O’ercome at last by midday heat, And well nigh unremitting toil, A man of care lay down to sleep, And snatch repose from life’s turmoil. He woke, and with a sigh he said, As Care reigned in Oblivion’s stead :— “ How sad a thing is life!” An aged pair at eve draw near, With faltering steps, a lone churchyard ; Death long to them has lost its fear, Although, in youth, to die seemed hard. All hope in time has passed away, Yet from the heart each one doth say : + yell “ How grand a thing is life!” FW. J. GEomicbooks.co