THE PERGOLA WITH RAMBLERS, 



Photcigraph by A'. A. Stai^. 



HAPPY HOURS OF SUMMER 



By R. A. STAIG 



DAY awaking, slowly fades the sleepy 

 haze of morning grey. Eastward 



a growing brightness and streaks 

 of ruby in the clearing sky herald the 

 rising sun. As the light spreads radiance 

 around a rosy glow heightens on the face 

 of peaceful morn. The breaking clouds 

 are flushed with crimson. Again a cock 

 crows and a neighbour answers him. 

 Passing so lightly, the crisp morning 

 breeze brings a faint rustle among the 

 grasses. Care goes at its touch. Promise- 

 laden, it whispers hope to the heart, a 

 bracing message of fresh purpose, of the 



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joys of hving, of the goodness of the 

 earth. 



Starlings are already on the lawn. A 

 speckled thrush has joined them, running 

 forward to stop abruptly as if to Usten ; 

 one swift wriggling peck, and the worm 

 outwitted is taken like a flash. A black- 

 bird slips up into the bushes uttering his 

 rattling call-notes. Jenny wren is awake 

 in the coppice, finches flit to antl fro, and 

 the chirruping of sparrows has begun. 



CrystalUne the ever brightening glare 

 streams upward, illuming wide the 

 heavens. Beyond the verdant hills, their 



