THE LADIES' COLUMN.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2089, 24 January 1896, Page 4

THE LADIES' COLUMN.

THE VALLEY OF LOVE. There Is a valley far away from here Where bloom forget-me-nots and hearts-ease gay, Where low, sweet music falls upon tke ear, And fountains glisten in the sun's warm way. 'Twas sweet to dwell among the birds and flowers With one who was to me of all most dear, To leave behind the world so full of woe, Full of dark shadows, peril, toil, and care. There did I dwell, and for a little while The world forgot, and, as it seemed to me, I was in heaven, 'midst the radiant stars, In that sweet valley just beside the sea. My love and I oft wandered hand-in-hand, And one day bending to the flowers' home He plucked for me a sweet, forget-me-not, When we amid the birds and trees did roam. "Dear love," he said, "this flower I give to you, To show my heart will ever be thine own." And to my death I never shall forget His tender words, his low and loving tone. And then he kissed me, and we wardered on. And lose ourselves as lovers do who love, Among the sweet forget-me-nots so bright, Planted by angels In the heavens above. * * * * Too soon I woke from out my girlish dreams (Alas for me, my eyes were wet with tears), Woke but to find myself again on earth, Woke but to think with pain of coming years. . *• , > And in my hand I held a little star, The only thing which now remains to me, That dear blue flower with tender love entwined, Which grew in that sweet valley by the sea. Woollahra. AGNES MOWLE.

The illustration shows one of the Dressy Silk Blouses, now so much worn.