At the close of a warm sunny day they alighted at “Willow Grove,” the name of the station nearest their future home. Wagons were in waiting, upon which their effects were loaded.
“But we will walk!” said Owen, “only ten minutes. The exercise will do us good, after our long confinement with scarcely any movement.”
And with an arm encircling Cora’s waist he led the way. Many were the exclamations of delight as beauty after beauty unfolded itself before their eyes, but when a turn in the roadway brought in full view the imposing stone structure with its many arches and turrets, its profusion of vines and flowers, a long drawn “Oh!” escaped from each beholder.
Owen drew Cora aside so as to permit the next couple, Lawrence and Hilda, to be first. Silently every man bared his head. Lawrence kissed the little hand resting upon his arm,
“Our Hilda’s Home!”
With hands clasped above her heart Hilda stood and gazed.
“My dream realized! Mine the dream, but yours,” turning to Owen, “the realization. To you belongs the honor and greatness of this hour.”
“Tut, tut, little one! How worthless my millions without the plan,—without the work of the mighty mind. Have you no wish reserved for the architect?”
With tears suffusing her sight she turned and extended both hands to Lawrence, who reverently knelt and bowed his head over them.
“Mine own! I may hope to win you now. To be worthy of your sweet love!” Edith and Paul saw, and a quick glance of comprehension flashed from eye to eye.
Owen’s arm encircled his precious Cora and a mystical silence fell over this band of lovers. Who of them all could resist the supreme eloquence of the hour? Margaret leaned her head against Wilbur’s shoulder and Wilbur’s dark head was bowed over Margaret’s fair one, reminding one of “Faust and Gretchen.” Imelda’s wine-brown eyes were drinking in the adoration of Norman’s blue ones. Her hands went up to his face, taking it between them.
“You understand me now?”
“Long, long ago, my dear one.”
And a kiss followed the words, a seal, the emblem of his love and trust.
Milton’s hand pressed a blonde head to his breast and the bright, happy face that is turned up to him promises oblivion for the dark hours in his past life.
Our stately Edith must not be forgotten. A warm glow suffuses her cheeks as she also is drawn closer to a manly breast, and glancing up her dark lustrous eyes meet those of the young physician in unutterable love and trust.
Mrs. Leland is looking on; her eyes wander from the grand structure over the spacious grounds and thence from couple to couple, every face illumined with a commingling of love, hope and joy, as they stand knocking at the door of an unknown world. Will it fulfill all their expectations? Her eyes fill with tears. Unconsciously she folds her hands as she reads the love-lit faces and sees there the fond hopes that unite each lover couple. Presently an arm steals about her neck and a cherished voice says,
“I will be your lover, my own mother. You are too young, by far, to be thus left alone!”
She smiles as she answers:
“I know you are that, my boy, but in time you will be a true lover of a true and perfect woman.”
Meanwhile the younger portion of our band make themselves more noisily heard. They feel the influence of the surrounding beauty, and, as is natural, give vent to exultant cries and shouts. Presently Elmer’s voice is heard demanding:
“I say, why are we all standing out here? I am hungry and tired; a bath and supper will go good, I’ll wager.”
Thus admonished a forward movement was again made, and in a very few minutes the welcoming portals had opened and received them. Flowers! flowers! A profusion of flowers everywhere. Each room had been furnished and decorated with a view to being especially adapted to the tastes of its future inmate. Owen took delight in pointing out each room to its owner. When all had sufficiently admired their sanctums a half hour was spent in baths and other refreshments. Pretty, airy and comfortable dresses were donned. Some of the rare flowers that filled the vases were fastened in the hair and at the waists of our happy girls and on the coat lapels of those of the masculine gender. Then the way to the drawing room was found, or simply the “parlor,” as was the term for this surpassingly beautiful room.
Soon all had gathered in. The lovely “salon” had been duly admired—such comfort and ease, so cosy and homelike. Everything beautiful. Rich, but not too grand for use. Dinner, supper, or whatever you might choose to call the evening meal, was then announced, and all repaired to the dining hall. Have we already described this room? No! Then we must enter with our dear friends and while noting the effect upon them we will try to describe, just a little, what kind of place it was that had been selected in which to partake of the main meal of the day.
An apartment ample in dimensions; high and arched; with walls of glass to permit the light of day to flood the place; for other life was here to thrive than that alone of our free love circle. Rare plants; palms and cactus; trailing vines; sweet-scented flowers in great profusion and under canopies as in an alcove, the dining table had been set, covered with snowy linen and decked with flowers. Flowers in all shapes and forms, and of all colors. Above the table suspended from the ceiling was hung a large bell, formed of white carnations, held in place by two cupids floating in the air. The center of the table held a huge basin of finest porcelain, forming a miniature pond containing a delicate fountain showering coolness into the sweet-scented air. The basin itself filled with the most perfect of water lilies, the golden centers gleaming in the snowy depths. Vases filled with rare roses; delicate green wreathings; the various dishes; while the air was filled with delicious music,—low and sweet. Luscious fruits, nuts and sweet new milk, and such simple fare, formed the chief part of the repast that had been prepared. Meats and rich pastries had been dispensed with. But when had the participants ever enjoyed a meal more keenly? The folding doors of those transparent walls had been thrown wide open and the pure refreshing evening air was wafted to them, bearing with it the promise of golden future; while jest and wit and mirth flashed and sparkled like costly jewels in the bright gas light.
But time was gliding by on tireless wings. The sun was nearing the horizon, casting its last golden rays aslant upon distant waters of the river, and farther on the lake, causing the waters to be resplendent with the reflection of the setting orb. Like a living, glowing, quivering mass of liquid fire were the dancing, rippling waves, and all looked on this display of nature’s charms with a feeling of awe and veneration. Silently they stood grouped, loving forms were drawn closer and firmer together as they watched the grand and glorious sight. Slowly the glowing orb sank beyond the distant heights; slowly the waters changed their gleaming brilliance to a more somber quietness; and as daylight disappeared ushering in the twilight with its fantastic shadows, the coming night sent forth its heralds, the weird humming of the near insects and the occasional hoot of the distant owl. The rising moon cast its mellow rays on the peaceful landscape, causing the waters of the lake in the distance to gleam with a silvery sheen. All these brought with them a quiet peace that could never be felt in the heart of the busy city.
No music or song thrilled the air on this first evening in the new home. Hearts were too full for utterance; too full for mirthful joy. Tired with their journey, filled with grave and subtile musings our friends sought quiet rather than mirth. The new life had begun. Dreams were now to be tested, verified, and each and all looked anxiously to the future—a future filled with hope, with trust, with high anticipation, and yet never for one moment forgetting that this same future would bring grave duties and responsibilities—duties and responsibilities that would show whether or not this little band of reformers, of innovators, was composed of the right elements to achieve success in a comparatively untried field of human endeavor.