OUR COUNTRY LIFE 



its uses, but not here! I stop to consider how to enter 

 this green tangle without disturbing a leaf or leaving 

 any trace — not an easy task ; but with manly strides I am 

 finally beneath the lilac and searching for the small 

 twining stem and its rootlet before tearing away the 

 snowy spikes. On two separate sides the vines have 

 taken root joining their forces in beautiful harmony 

 upon the seed pods of the lilac; if left to themselves, the 

 effect would be quite charming for a week or two, but 

 later a blackened mass of twisted stems would bend or 

 break down my proud young lilac branches; so I am 

 ruthless and leave no trace of vine among them. With 

 care as I make my exit, I replace a disturbed stalk of 

 phlox, a bowed spray of cassia, and lift up any flattened 

 leaves. No sign of entrance to that leafy heart is to be 

 seen; the birds settle themselves again on the rosy vi- 

 burnum berries, and I turn away content. 



Well do I remember our very first visit to this en- 

 chanting lake, when we two couples were housed in a 

 guest cottage furnished with every imaginable comfort 

 and convenience, and then left to ourselves. It gave us 



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