Laura Everingham/Scammon was an author.
her book "Bettine" (c)1894 in Missouri shown here ---
"There came a day, As to brown buds come the blithe airs of May,
When my young soul Ope'd to the sunshine of thy sweet control.
I dared not own, The mastery, then, of e'en thy lightest tone.
They smile, thy kiss --- Do all souls know how sweet surrender is?
They whisper low-- My love shall hold thee, sweet, nor let thee go,
By right devine, Made me thine own forever, only thine.
Two lilies fair, Breathing one tender fragrance, bless the air;
And minstrelsy, Blends two soft strains in one full harmony;
And holy night, From moon and stars pours one pure, perfect light.
So would I be, Not thine, not thine, dear love, but part of thee.
Then--but no more! Faith sits in ashes at my heart's shut door.
There's naught within but my dead, coffined love."
Index