Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1886-03-26
THE FOUNTAIN.

people came into the moonlight, and
leaned over the little chain that encircled
the small fountain, into whose basin a
marble Hebe continually emptied her
ever-brimming cup.
As the girl looked down into the water
her fingers trihed with lily, and she re-
marked that one of the leaves had been
broken. 1t is strange how we notice
such small things when we are thinking
of greater ones; yes, and remember them,
too. Ever after Lima Michel remembered
that broken lily leaf, and the fluttering
reflection in the water, and the scent OF
the roses, and the few wind-blown drops
that were cast Fpon her neck from the
cup Of the Hebe at the fountain in that
old garden at Munich, ON that sweet
midsummer night
The young man stood very near her
He had sweet, grave face, and eyes thai
were as soft and dark as gazelle's.
They were not unlike, these two; both
were spiFitalella- both were 80
were romantic. The tic Of blood wa
between them, for they were cousins,
though, as the Scotch folk say 'fM
away cousins, and bearing different
names. They had been brought up un-
der one roof, and Lima Miche1s mother
had been all the mother the little orphan
Henri Kleber knew When, after littlC
silence, she turned her eyes toward him,
she looked into his without reserve, just
as a sister might.
"It is cruel of grandpapa," she said.
'It is very cruel Henri These old peo-
pie think only of money. Why can they
not let us have peace, when we could be
50 happy? 1t is such an absurd idea.
You and to marry each otherl We are
like brother and sister. Nothing can
change that"
"But we are not brother and sister,
said he; "and even first cousins marry. |
have been thinking that"
"Oh, don't, dont!" she said-"Henri,
for Heavens sake, don't begin to be as
bad as the rest. Be my good brother
still. 1t would be frightful for US to
marry. Besides, one should fall in love
first-should not one? Think how alb
|
surd to marry without that"
'But like you 50 much" said Henri
"Dear Cousin Lima, let us talk about IT.
81 will not, said she. "lf you desire
to quarrel, you can talk about such fool
ish fancies, not else. OF course, you hke
me; of course, l like you, and that IS just
why it can't be. Grandpapa ought to pc
ashamed of himself"
She paused a moment, then turned lie'
lips toward her cousin.
"Give me kind kiss, brother HENRI
said she, "and never, never, never sPe"N
of this absurdity again. As for marry
ing, shall never marry any one why
should |, when | detest the thou9ht'
Henri gave little sigh.
81 shall never marry either, Cousin
Lima" said he; "but you see we are not
brother ano sister. You can't make II 50
by saying so" !,
Then he kissed her and they walked
back into the house, where Grandpapa
Kleber and Grandunclc Michel had Jus'
settled shc matrimonial prospects oil tneSo
two young cousins to tEeir own sa'lsiaO
ton.
The result of the young peoples reoeh'
ion was a quarrel. =,
Lima escaped very easily 1t was on's
proper for girl to be coy; but the young
man was so bcset with reproaches tha' Il. ~
finally defed his relatives much az AJ'A
did the lightning.
In his case the lightning had the pe''
of it, and the end Of all this was that Que II,
fine morning Henri KIebcr found hliiis''
turned out into the world to seek ms io'-
tune; and long ere his cousins black eye {.
were opened upon the dawn, hao s.,
Munich and his furious relatives pehlnu
him.
From that day nothing was heaiu -
him by his friends in Munich Tor many
long year.
The old people were -unforglvins
Grandfather Kleber died and lett al ~
money to Lima, who had already Tel'''',
two excellent matches. Grand uuo'
Michel died also, and Lima became y
richer. At last her beloved motheL az
left her. She long remained Lima Michel
though her beauty and her wealth na'
brought many suitors to her door =
! love that she had thought necessary '