In Lilac Tide 159 



have been no nearer me than the tropics. I had a 

 small world, but it was large enough, since it was 

 bounded by garden walls. 



Almond trees are seldom seen in northern gar- 

 dens ; but the Flowering Almond flourishes as one 

 of the purest and loveliest familiar shrubs. Silvery- 

 pink in bloom when it opens, the pink darkens till 

 when in full flower it is deeply rosy. It was, next 

 to the Lilac, the favorite shrub of my childhood. 

 I used to call the exquisite little blooms " fairy 

 roses," and there were many fairy tales relating to 

 the Almond bush. This made the flower enhaloed 

 with sentiment and mystery, which charmed as much 

 as its beauty. The Flowering Almond seemed to 

 have a special place under a window in country 

 yards and gardens, as it is shown on page 39. A 

 fitting spot it was, since it never grew tall enough to 

 shade the little window panes. 



With Pussy-willows and Almond blossoms and 

 Ladies' Delights, with blossoming playhouse Apple 

 trees and sweet-scented Lilac walks, spring was cer- 

 tainly Paradise in our childhood. Would it were an 

 equally happy season in mature years ; but who, 

 garden-bred, can walk in the springtime through the 

 garden of her childhood without thought of those 

 who cared for the garden in its youth, and shared 

 the care of their children with the care of their 

 flowers, but now are seen no more. 



"Oh, far away in some serener air, 



The eves that loved them see a heavenly dawn : 

 How can they bloom without her tender care ? 

 Why should they live when her sweet life is gone ? " 



