Lives of Girls Who Became Famous

by Sarah Knowles Bolton

* * * * *

"Glitters the dew and shines the river,
Up comes the lily and dries her bell;

But two are walking apart forever,
And wave their hands for a mute farewell.

* * * * *

"And yet I know past all doubting, truly--
And knowledge greater than grief can dim--

I know, as he loved, he will love me duly--
Yea, better--e'en better than I love him.

"And as I walk by the vast calm river,
The awful river so dread to see,

I say, 'Thy breadth and thy depth forever
Are bridged by his thoughts that cross to me.'"

In what choice but simple language we are thus told that two loving hearts cannot be divided.

Years went by, and I was at last to see the author of the poems I had loved in girlhood. I had wondered how she looked, what was her manner, and what were her surroundings.