Moods

"Life is a train of moods like a string of beads; and as we pass through them they prove to be many colored lenses, which paint the world their own hue, and each shows us only what lies in its own focus." EMERSON.

LORING, Publisher, 319 WASHINGTON STREET, BOSTON.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by A. K. LORING, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.

CONTENTS.

PAGE.

CHAPTER I.

IN A YEAR 7

CHAPTER II.

WHIMS 21

CHAPTER III.

AFLOAT 39

CHAPTER IV.

THROUGH FLOOD, AND FIELD, AND FIRE 57

CHAPTER V.

A GOLDEN WEDDING 81

CHAPTER VI.

WHY SYLVIA WAS HAPPY 102

CHAPTER VII.

DULL, BUT NECESSARY 113

CHAPTER VIII.

NO 120

CHAPTER IX.

HOLLY 130

CHAPTER X.

YES 141

CHAPTER XI.

WOOING 149

CHAPTER XII.

WEDDING 158

CHAPTER XIII.

SYLVIA'S HONEYMOON 165

CHAPTER XIV.

A FIRESIDE FETE 183

CHAPTER XV.

EARLY AND LATE 195

CHAPTER XVI.

IN THE TWILIGHT 206

CHAPTER XVII.

ASLEEP AND AWAKE 223

CHAPTER XVIII.

WHAT NEXT? 238

CHAPTER XIX.

SIX MONTHS 259

CHAPTER XX.

COME 270

CHAPTER XXI.

OUT OF THE SHADOW 285

MOODS.

CHAPTER I.

IN A YEAR.

The room fronted the west, but a black cloud, barred with red, robbed the hour of twilight's tranquil charm. Shadows haunted it, lurking in corners like spies set there to watch the man who stood among them mute and motionless as if himself a shadow. His eye turned often to the window with a glance both vigilant and eager, yet saw nothing but a tropical luxuriance of foliage scarcely stirred by the sultry air heavy with odors that seemed to oppress not refresh. He listened with the same intentness, yet heard only the clamor of voices, the tramp of feet, the chime of bells, the varied turmoil of a city when night is defrauded of its peace by being turned to day. He watched and waited for something; presently it came. A viewless visitant, welcomed by longing soul and body as the man, with extended arms and parted lips received the voiceless greeting of the breeze that came winging its way across the broad Atlantic, full of healthful cheer for a home-sick heart. Far out he leaned; held back the thick-leaved boughs already rustling with a grateful stir, chid the shrill bird beating its flame-colored breast against its prison bars, and drank deep draughts of the blessed wind that seemed to cool the fever of his blood and give him back the vigor he had lost.

A sudden light shone out behind him filling the room with a glow that left no shadow in it. But he did not see the change, nor hear the step that broke the hush, nor turn to meet the woman who stood waiting for a lover's welcome. An indefinable air of sumptuous life surrounded her, and made the brilliant room a fitting frame for the figure standing there with warm-hued muslins blowing in the wind. A figure full of the affluent beauty of womanhood in its prime, bearing unmistakable marks of the polished pupil of the world in the grace that flowed through every motion, the art which taught each feature to play its part with the ease of second nature and made dress the foil to loveliness. The face was delicate and dark as a fine bronze, a low forehead set in shadowy waves of hair, eyes full of slumberous fire, and a passionate yet haughty mouth that seemed shaped alike for caresses and commands.

A moment she watched the man before her, while over her countenance passed rapid variations of pride, resentment, and tenderness. Then with a stealthy step, an assured smile, she went to him and touched his hand, saying, in a voice inured to that language which seems made for lovers' lips--