Anton's Angels; A Romance

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1900. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XV. A NOVEL BETROTHAL. Alice wanted to show Ted the far-famed pines of Greenacre, so they sauntered up the hill, and across the fields. Soon they entered a stretch of pine woods that equalled those where Ted had been staying, farther north. But because Alice was by his side, they seemed far more beautiful. They encountered a horse and a couple of vagrant cows, but nothing else to mar the happy solitude. They came to a pleasant little brook, and instead of crossing it, they sat down on the softly carpeted bank to listen to its sweet music. A gentle wind was playing with the tree-tops, swaying them to and fro as if to mark the rhythm of the woodland symphony. Each bird's voice was rightly tuned to the general harmony. They listened to it in silence, with such intense concentration that every sound seemed distinct to their ears, and every heartbeat made an audible echo in their breasts. I came out here a few days since, said Alice at length, with Swami. You have seen him? Yes. I saw him with Anton to-day. Is he not a noble man? I should imagine so. We sat upon this bank, and talked. Of what did you talk? Oh! Of many problems. He seems to bring the wisdom of the Infinite directly into touch with the problems of this perplexing earth-life. He fills your soul with a divine peace. I feel so much stronger and happier since I talked with him. I wish you could meet him. But he is very reserved, and does not associate with people very much. Did you talk with him about the problem of marriage? asked Ted impulsively. Alice blushed, and answered, Yes. What does he say of it? Oh! He renounces the idea utterly, as I have done. He calls it selfishness and carnality, and says it makes a spiritual life impossible. Does he not recognize the spiritua...