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another month before all is finally settled； but the Squire has the secret
satisfaction； and he was much affected by the certainty of a Rawdon at
Rawdon Court after him。 He declined to think of it in any other way but
‘providential；' and of course I let him take all the satisfaction he could out
of the idea。 Ever since he heard of the engagement he has been at the
organ singing the One Hundred and Third Psalm。〃
〃He is the dearest and noblest of men。 How soon shall we go home
now？〃
〃In about a month。 Are you tired of England？〃
〃I shall be glad to see America again。 There was a letter from Dora this
morning。 They sail on the twenty…third。〃
〃Do you know anything of Mostyn？〃
〃Since he wrote us a polite farewell we have heard nothing。〃
〃Do you think he went to America？〃
〃I cannot tell。 When he bid us good…by he made no statement as to his
destination； he merely said ‘he was leaving England on business。'〃
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〃Well； Ruth； we shall sail as soon as I am satisfied all is right。 There is
a little delay about some leases and other matters。 In the meantime the
lovers are in Paradise wherever we locate them。〃
And in Paradise they dwelt for another four weeks。 The ancient garden
had doubtless many a dream of love to keep； but none sweeter or truer
than the idyl of Tyrrel and Ethel Rawdon。 They were never weary of
rehearsing it； every incident of its growth had been charming and romantic；
and； as they believed； appointed from afar。 As the sum… mer waxed hotter
the beautiful place took on an appearance of royal color and splendor； and
the air was languid with the perfume of the clove carnations and tall white
August lilies。 Fluted dahlias； scarlet poppies； and all the flowers that
exhale their spice in the last hot days of August burned incense for them。
Their very hair was laden with odor； their fingers flower…sweet； their
minds took on the many colors of their exquisite surroundings。
And it was part of this drama of love and scent and color that they
should see it slowly assume the more ethereal loveliness of September；
and watch the subtle amber rays shine through the thinning boughs； and
feel that all nature was becoming idealized。 The birds were then mostly
silent。 They had left their best notes on the hawthorns and among the roses；
but the crickets made a cheerful chirrup； and the great brown butterflies
displayed their richest velvets； and the gossamer…like insects in the dreamy
atmosphere performed dances and undulations full of grace and mystery。
And all these marvelous changes imparted to love that sweet sadness
which is beyond all words poetic and enchaining。
Yet however sweet the hours； they pass away； and it is not much
memory can save from the mutable； happy days of love。 Still； when the
hour of departure came they had garnered enough to sweeten all the after…
straits and stress of time。 September had then perceptibly begun to add to
the nights and shorten the days； and her tender touch had been laid on
everything。 With a smile and a sigh the Rawdons turned their faces to their
pleasant home in the Land of the West。 It was to be but a short farewell。
They had promised the Squire to return the following summer； but he felt
the desolation of the parting very keenly。 With his hat slightly lifted above
his white head； he stood watching them out of sight。 Then he went to his
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organ； and very soon grand waves of melody rolled outward and upward；
and blended themselves with the clear； soaring voice of Joel； the lad who
blew the bellows of the instrument； and shared all his master's joy in it。
They played and sang until the Squire rose weary； but full of gladness。 The
look of immortality was in his eyes； its sure and certain hope in his heart。
He let Joel lead him to his chair by the window； and then he said to
himself with visible triumph：
〃What Mr。 Spencer or anyone else writes about ‘the Unknowable' I
care not。 I KNOW IN WHOM I have believed。 Joel； sing that last
sequence again。 Stand where I can see thee。〃 And the lad's joyful voice
rang exulting out：
〃Lord； Thou hast been our dwelling…place in all generations。 Before
the mountains were brought forth； or ever Thou hadst formed the world；
from everlasting to everlasting Thou art God！ Thou art God！ Thou art
God！〃
〃That will do； Joel。 Go thy ways now。 Lord； Thou hast been our
dwelling…place in all generations。 ‘Unknowable；' Thou hast been our
dwelling…place in all generations。 No； no； no； what an ungrateful sinner I
would be to change the Lord everlasting for the Unknowable。'〃
CHAPTER IX
NEW YORK is at its very brightest and best in October。 This month of
the year may be safely trusted not to disappoint。 The skies are blue； the air
balmy； and there is generally a delightful absence of wind。 The summer
exiles are home again from Jersey boarding houses； and mountain camps；
and seaside hotels； and thankful to the point of hilarity that this episode of
the year is over； that they can once more dwell under their own roofs
without breaking any of the manifest laws of the great goddess Custom or
Fashion。
Judge Rawdon's house had an especially charming 〃at home〃
appearance。 During the absence of the family it had been made beautiful
inside and outside； and the white stone； the plate glass； and falling lace
evident to the street； had an almost conscious look of luxurious propriety。
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The Judge frankly admitted his pleasure in his home surroundings。 He
said； as they ate their first meal in the familiar room； that 〃a visit to foreign
countries was a grand； patriotic tonic。〃 He vowed that the 〃first sight of
the Stars and Stripes at Sandy Hook had given him the finest emotion he
had ever felt in his life；〃 and was altogether in his proudest American
mood。 R