The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-08-28
THE TRAIN CANNOT WAIT

Il l. w l.
She is just Is, with golden hair aud
gray eyes-large gray eyes that laugh
Just as we'll as her red lips; her figure,
though little frail, makes one think
what a pretty woman she will be soon.
Her hands and arms are those of
child-is she not still child? Clara
left school but a fortnight ago. She
is the beloved and only daughter of =
rich miller in the neighborhood of
AVeSnes.
Nothing is more poetical than mill
in the country. 1t does not disturb the
silence of the air with its monotonous
tic-tac; on the contrary, its noise,
strong and regular, is like an accom-
Eaniment to the many other noises of
the wind, and of the trees, and of the
birds. Clara was charmed with il all.
During a few days after her arrival
the whole house was upset, making and
receiving calls, dinner parties, dancing
parties, lawn tennis; the days were not
long enough to hold their pleasures.
Then all was quiet at the mill.
In the orchard which was large, the
walks were spread over with sand,
ed a beautiful shady grove. This was
Ciara's favorite nook; here she would
90 and read poetry. She had been given
the works of Lamartine, beautifully
bound. Now, Lamartine, is a very ten
der poet, and Clara was still in her
teens. and this was summer, and the
fragrance of the flowers and the muir
nur of the breeze acted on her young
mind; and through this book she would
dream of things she had never dreamed
of before
One day her mother asked her if she
remembered her cousin Albert.
"Oh, yes. indeed" said she. This an
sver came from her heart; she bldshad
and from her neck to her brow she
felt that sort of electricity that is pro-
duced by a little shame and great
pleasure.
Well said her mother, ''you Will
see him very soon"
Clara was about to say: "Oh, how
glad | ann but she thought it more
proper to say nothing.
And why was she silent? | Will tell
Won. 1t was because she had read La
MARITIME. Why, does poetry make ore
false? Well, don't know, but it speaks
OF love-and what is love?
We'll" said Clara, Il have not seen
him for two years. L suppose he is
changed"
Not more than YOU" said her mother,
casting a loving glance of admiration
to her daughter; you We're a little eIrl
when YOU went away-you are young
lady now"
Clara ran off to her beloved grove to
hide the bushes on her checks and the
beatings of her heart. She sat down,
drew from her pocket her volume of
poetry, but read not line.
Albert arrived few days before he
was expected, but she was thinking of
him. She always had roses on her
cheeks, but these roses changed into
peonies when she saw him, and her
hands tTembled. He took hold of those
hands and kissed her on both cheeks.
He was "a medical student Who had not
vet in his brain the least thought of
anything serious; he had suddenly dis
covered in himself a vocation for the
beautiful science of Aesculapius, that
he might go to Paris to spend a few
ears OF his life and waste a few thou
sands of his fathers francs.
"Ab, little cousin" said he, you are
pretty now. Why, l am afraid L shall
iall in love with YOU"
She looked at him, not knowing what
to say.
Have you forgotten the good times
we had in this garden, and over there in
the woods?'
"Oh, no." said she.
And when we would go rowing and
1 would scare YOU by swinging to and
fro in the boat to capsize you?"
"Oh, no, | remember it ALL
Then why don't you put your arms
around my neck and say pleasant things
to me as YOU did then?"
Il don't know" she faltered.
Then hc said to himself: This cousin
of mine must be little simpleton-"
Well" said he, aloud, ''and what is
this book -
'Lamartine. 1t is beautiful"
Il don't think so. l think il stupid"
then seeing that she was somewhat
abashed, he added: why does it dis
please YOU that / should not care for
Lamartine?' ~
because | love his poems"
''Well, if | read poetry want Alfred
de Musset. / shall send you his works
when 1 get to Paris"
At this moment they heard quick
and firm step on the sandy walk, and a
young man came upon them.
Excuse me, mademoiselle," said he,
II have just learned that Albert is here
and | have come to shake hands"
An old saying came to Clara's mind:
Two is company; three is a crowd"
She was too well behaved to say it. SO
she left the two young men together
When alone she reflected that Alber
was very nice cousin, and might make
very good husband; as for his friene
well. he was very good looking man.
and might be very nice fellow-but
what n difference between the two.
Your cousin is charming girl, said
Jack.
oh yes, but she is only a school girl. :"
''Well. what else can she be? She is