AUTUMN 



variety of colours filling the cleared 

 space to the western fence. The pretty 

 little lilac flowers of the heart-leaved 

 aster swarmed up the slope to the 

 fringe of pines. Mingled with the 

 mass of lighter flowers the pink and 

 purple clumps stood out in beautiful 

 contrast, while bees fairly swarmed 

 about seeking the last rich harvest of 

 honey. 



All the fragrant flowers of Autumn 

 appeared to congregate in this favoured 

 place. In the hollows and all about 

 the roots of the pine stubs that bor- 

 dered the woods at this spot ferns 

 spread their luxuriant fronds. From 

 little tufts still green as in the early 

 Spring they ranged to giant stems four 

 feet high and the dying under-leaves 

 cast their woody fragrance in the air, 

 adding to the indescribable diffusion of 

 odours so impelling at this wonderful 

 season. Creeping up the hill and 

 crowning its crest, the pearly white 

 everlasting held the flank of this wild 

 garden, and the dying leaves of the 

 wild strawberry, reminiscent of early 

 Summer, gave a ruddy glow from their 

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