f its slow return to dust; and now perhaps it would
be the mingled colors in the heaps of dried leaves drifted at the foot
of some great tree.

And then from the minute loveliness of nature's sweet, small things,
their eyes would wander to the great glory of the autumnal sky, or the
variegated array of the gorgeous forest.

Thurston knew a beautiful glade, not far distant, to the left of their
path, from which there was a very fine view that he wished to show his
companion. And he led Marian thither by a little moss-bordered,
descending path.

It was a natural opening in the forest, from which, down a still,
descending vista, between the trees, could be seen the distant bay, and
the open country near it, all glowing under a refulgent sky, and hazy
with the golden mist of Indian Summer. Before them the upper branches of
the nearest trees formed a natural arch above the picture.

Marian stood and gazed upon the wondrous beauty of the scene with soft,
steady eyes, with lips breathlessly severed, in perfect silence and
growing emotion.

"This pleases you," said Thurston.

She nodded, without removing her gaze.

"You find it charming?"

She nodded again, and smiled.

"You were never here before?"

"Never."

"Marian, you are a lover of nature."

"I do not know," she said, softly, "whether it be love, or worship, or
both; but some pictures spell-bind me. I stand amidst a scene like this,
enchanted, until my soul has absorbed as much of its beauty and glory
and wisdom as it can absorb. As the Ancient Mariner held with his
'glittering eye' the wedding guest, so such a picture holds me
enthralled until I have heard the story and learned the lesson it has to
tell and teach me. Did you ever, in the midst of nature's liberal
ministrations, feel your spirit absorbing, assimilating, growing? Or is
it only a fantastic action of mine that beauty is the food of soul?"

She turned her eloquent eyes full upon him.

He forgot his prudence, forgot her claims, forgot everything, and caught
and strained her to his bosom, pressing passionate kisses upon her lips,
and the next instant he was kneeling at her feet, imploring her to
forgive him--to hear him.

Marian stood with her face bowed and hidden in her hands; but above the
tips of her fingers, her forehead, crimsoned, might be seen. One half
her auburn hair had escaped and rippled down in glittering disorder. And
so she stood a few moments. But soon, removing her hands an