produced by david widger

twice told tales

the lily's quest

by nathaniel hawthorne

what a contrast between the young pilgrims of bliss and their unbidden associate !

but the three had not gone far , when they reached a spot that pleased the gentle lily , and she paused .

" what sweeter place shall we find than this ? " said she .

" why should we seek farther for the site of our temple ? "

there were vistas and pathways leading onward and onward into the green woodlands , and vanishing away in the glimmering shade .

" yes , " said adam forrester , " we might seek all day , and find no lovelier spot .

we will build our temple here . "

" not here ! " cried old walter gascoigne .

" here , long ago , other mortals built their temple of happiness .

seek another site for yours ! "

" what ! " exclaimed lilias fay .

" have any ever planned such a temple , save ourselves ? "

" poor child ! " said her gloomy kinsman .

" in one shape or other , every mortal has dreamed your dream . "

under this type , adam forrester and lilias saw that the old man spake of sorrow .

" this is very sad , " said the lily ; sighing .

" well , there are lovelier spots than this , " said adam forrester , soothingly , " spots which sorrow has not blighted . "

" this glen was made on purpose for our temple ! "

" and the glad song of the brook will be always in our ears , " said lilias fay .

" and its long melody shall sing the bliss of our lifetime , " said adam forrester .

" ye must build no temple here ! " murmured their dismal companion .

and , alas ! there had been woe , nor that alone .

and ever since , the victim 's death-shrieks were often heard to echo between the cliffs .

" and see ! " cried old gascoigne , " is the stream yet pure from the stain of the murderer 's hands ? "

" come , then , " said adam forrester , as cheerily as he could ; " we shall soon find a happier spot . "

they set forth again , young pilgrims on that quest which millions which every child of earth has tried in turn .

and were the lily and her lover to be more fortunate than all those millions ?

for a long time , it seemed not so .

" where in this world , " exclaimed adam forrester , despondingly , " shall we build our temple of happiness ? "

in due time it was finished , and a day appointed for a simple rite of dedication .

with his farewell glance , a shadow had fallen over the portal , and lilias was invisible .

but , alas for the temple of happiness !

and to ! a wonder !

among those forgotten ancestors was the lily to be laid .

he watched the mourners as they lowered the coffin down .

end of the project gutenberg ebook of the lily 's quest ( from " twice told tales " ) , by nathaniel hawthorne