September Days at Madison Lake. 



Professor Newhall deftly slid him over the side to a place of 

 safety. My catch proved to be a twenty-inch bass, and a beau- 

 tiful speciment. Professor Newhall followed my catch with 

 two, then we were obliged to hasten to the boathouse to escape 

 a storm. After our evening meal we strolled out under the big 

 maples and enjoyed our last sunset of the season from beau- 

 tiful Point Pleasant. Across the bay, westward, the heavens 

 were all aflame, and the sunlit ripples of the bay glistened like 

 bars of polished silver. We stood in the deepening shadows 

 under the big trees in silent wonder and admiration ; what were 

 we to speak when the Great Architect was talking? Slowly 

 the sun disappeared, gilding the tops of the loftiest trees with a 

 level bar of fire, for an instant, then lost its light, and we knew 

 our vacation was ended, swallowed up in a misty past with the 

 others. 



"I'm thinking of lazy September 



And the lakes in the forest so green, 

 With low-wooded hills beyond them 



And the wind-dimpled waters between; 

 Of the halcyon days now departed, 



When I rocked on their waters so pure, 

 Enthralled by these gems of the forest 



While the waves lapped a sweet overture." 



Outers' Book. 



163 1 



