Part 10 (1/2)

This is the tale they tell, Of an Hallowe'en; This is the thing that befell Me and the village Belle, Beautiful Aimee Dean.

2.

Did I love her?--G.o.d and she, They know and I!

And love was the life of me-- Whatever else may be, Would G.o.d that I could die!

3.

That All-Saints' eve was dim; The frost lay white Under strange stars and a slim Moon in the graveyard grim, An Autumn ghost of light.

4.

They told her: ”Go alone, With never a word, To the burial plot's unknown Grave with the grayest stone, When the clock on twelve is heard;

5.

”Three times around it pa.s.s, With never a sound; Each time a wisp of gra.s.s And myrtle pluck, and pa.s.s Out of the ghostly ground;

6.

”And the bridegroom that's to be At smiling wait, With a face like mist to see, With graceful gallantry Will bow you to the gate.”

7.

She laughed at this, and so Bespoke us how To the burial place she'd go:-- And I was glad to know, For I'd be there to bow.

8.

An acre from the farm The homestead graves Lay walled from sun and storm; Old cedars of priestly form Around like sentinel slaves.

9.

I loved, but never could say Such words to her, And waited from day to day, Nursing the hope that lay Under the doubts that were.--

10.

She pa.s.sed 'neath the iron arch Of the legended ground, And the moon like a twisted torch Burned over one lonesome larch; She pa.s.sed with never a sound.

11.

Three times had the circle traced, Three times had bent To the grave that the myrtle graced; Three times, then softly faced Homeward, and slowly went.

12.