, flowed through Llaniago and Castell On. With
fret and fume and babbling murmurs it made its way through its rocky
channel, filling the air with the sound of its turmoil. Both sides of
its precipitous banks down to the water's edge were hidden in woods of
stunted oak, through whose branches the sound of its flow made
continual music, music which this evening reached the ears of a
solitary man, who sat at the open window of a large house standing near
the top of the ravine, its well-kept grounds and velvet lawn reaching
down to the very edge of the oak wood, and even stretching into its
depths in many a green glade and avenue. There was no division or
boundary between the wood and the lawn, so that the timid hares and
pheasants would often leave their leafy haunts to disport themselves
upon its soft turf. It was Dr. Owen who, contrary to his usual careful
habits, sat at that open window in the gathering twilight, dreaming
dreams which were borne to him on the sound of the rushing waters,
which lulled his senses, and brought before him the scenes of his past
life. The twilight darkened into gloom, and still he sat on in
brooding thought, letting the voice of the river bear to him on its
wings sweet memories or sad retrospect as it chose. The early days of
his childhood came back to him, when with a light heart he had roamed
over moor and sandy beach, or over the grassy slopes of Garthowen. The
river still sang on, and before him rose the vision of a man of homely
and rustic appearance, who urged and encouraged his youthful ardour in
the pursuit of knowledge, who rejoiced at his successes, and supplied
his wants, who laid his hand upon his young head with a dying blessing.
How vividly the scene returned to him! The dismay of the household
when that rugged figure disappeared from the scene, the difficulties
which had crowded his path in the further pursuance of his education,
the arduous steps up the ladder of learning, the perseverance crowned
with success! Still the rushing river filled his ears and brought
before him its phantom memories--his successful career in the
Church--his prosperous marriage, the calm domestic life which
followed--the wealth--the honour--the prestige--what had they led
to?--an empty home, a solitary hearth, no heir to inherit his riches,
no young voices to fill the house with music and laughter--no--it had
all turned to dust and ashes--there was no one to whom he could confide
his joys or