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l coming from the house To greet them. Charles helped Linda to dismount, Held out his hand, and said, "Good by, Miss Linda." "Good by!" she cheerily answered; "bid your father Good by for me. And so you go indeed To-morrow?"--"Yes, we may not meet again." "Well; pleasant journey!"--"Thank you. Good by, Rachel." He rode away, leading her panting horse; And, when the trees concealed him, Linda rushed Up stairs, and locked the door, and wept awhile. As, early the next morning, she looked forth On the blue ocean from the open window, "Now, then, for work!" she cried, and drew her palm Across her brow, as if to thrust away Thoughts that too perseveringly came back She heard a step. 'Tis he! "I hardly hoped, Miss Percival, to find you up so early: Good by, once more!"--"Good by! Don't miss the train." At this a shadow fell on Lothian's face, As with uplifted hat and thwarted smile, He turned away. Then off with hasty stride He walked and struck the bushes listlessly. "What did I mean by speaking so?" said Linda, With hand outstretched, as if to draw him back. "Poor fellow! He looked sad; but why--but why Is he so undemonstrative? And why Could he not ask again for my address, I'd like to know?" Poor Linda! She could preach, But, like her elders, could not always practise. VII. FROM LINDA'S DIARY. I. Home again! Home? what satire in the word! If home is where the heart is, where's my home? Well: here's my easel; here my old piano; Here the memorials of my early days! Here let me try at least to be content. This din of rolling wheels beneath my window, Let it renew for me the ocean's roar! II. It is the heart makes music musical! My neighbor has a mocking-bird: its song Has been as little heeded as the noise Of rattling wheels incessant; but to-day One of its strains brought all Elysium back Into my heart. What was it? What the tie Linking it with some inexpressive joy? At length I solve the mystery! Those notes, Pensively slow and sadly exquisite, Were what the wood-thrush piped at early dawn After that evening passage in the boat, When stars came out, that never more shall set. Oh! sweet and clear the measured cadence fell Upon my ear in slumber--and I woke! I woke, and listened while the first faint flush Of day was in the east; while yet the grove Showed only purple gloom,
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