new life, reawakening joy,
the sparkle of young leaves just loosed from the bonds of winter, the
sweetness and promise of spring airs, and all the budding glory of a new
year with its summer of countless roses and its autumn of incalculable
glories. Not the twitter of a bird was lost to them, not the smile of an
opening flower, not the welcome of a waving branch. Youth, joy, and
innocence lived in their hearts and showed them nothing in the mirror of
nature that was not equally young, joyous and innocent. Then they were
alone, or sufficiently so. The stray wanderers whom they met sitting
under the flowering trees, were equally with themselves lovers of nature
or they would not be seated in converse with it at this early hour;
while the laugh of little children startled from their play by the
prance of their high-stepping horses, was only another expression of the
sweet but unexpressed delight that breathed in all the radiant
atmosphere.

"We are two birds who have escaped thralldom and are taking our first
flight into our natural ether," cried Miss Stuyvesant gaily.

"We are two pioneers lit by the spirit of adventure, who have left the
cosy hearth of wintry-fires to explore the domains of the frost king,
and lo, we have come upon a Paradise of bloom and color!" responded the
ringing voice of Paula.

"I feel as if I could mount that little white cloud we see over there,"
continued Cicely with a quick lively wave of her whip. "I wonder how
Dandy would enjoy an empyrean journey?"

"From the haughty bend of his neck I should say he was quite satisfied
with his present condition. But perhaps his chief pride is due to the
mistress he carries."

"Are you attempting to vie with Mr. Williams, Paula?"

Mr. Williams was the meek-eyed, fair complexioned gentleman, whose
predilection for compliment was just then a subject of talk in
fashionable circles.

"Only so far as my admiration goes of the most charming lady I see this
morning. But who is this?"

Miss Stuyvesant looked up. "Ah, that is some one with whom there is very
little danger of your falling in love."

Paula blushed. The gentleman approaching them upon horseback was
conspicuous for long side whiskers of a decidedly auburn tinge.

"His name is--" But she had not time to finish, for the gentleman with a
glance of astonished delight at Paula, bowed to the speaker with a
liveliness and grace that demanded some recognition.

Instantly he drew rein. "Do I behol