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.
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_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
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