50 In Touch with Nature. 



worth acquaintance? That depends. It has 

 never yet had firm hold here; why now? The 

 day is not yet done, and there are to-morrows yet 

 to be. If the river is shut out in spite, let us out- 

 sit the imp that mocks us. Even now, while our 

 thoughts are still with what has been, there is a 

 rift in the clouds ; the mist rolls slowly back from 

 whence it came. A ripple of golden light ven- 

 tures along the shore, — a mighty flood of mellow 

 sunshine fills the valley. There is not a wave but 

 leaps to catch the life-giving glow, as though it 

 would hold it henceforth forever. Why despair ? 

 That which has so long abided shall not fail us ; 

 the river was a living friend when we came in the 

 morning, and now, in the evening, greets us as 

 heartily. Well may it glow with all its old-time 

 ardor, for the light of every trembling star above 

 it is gathered to its bosom. 



So ended our outing by the river. I say " our," 

 for I had a companion, as I supposed ; but for 

 hours he has been quite forgotten, and long ago he 

 left me. 



