Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1896-08-22
THE TRAIN CANNOT WAIT

She is just IS, with golden hair and
gray eyes-large gray eyes that laugh
just as we'll as her red lips; her figure,
though a little frai1, makes one think
what a pretty woman she will be soon.
Her hands and arms are those of a
-child-is she not still a child? Clara
left school but a fortnight ago. She
is the beloved and only daughter of n
rich miller in the neighborhood of
-Avesnes.
Nothing is more poetical than a 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-
paniment to the many other noises of
the wind, and of the trees, and of the
birds. Clara was charmed with it 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 We're not
long enough to hold their pleasures.
Then all was quiet at the mill.
In the orchard, which was large, the
walks We're spread over with sand,
and the trees, loaded with fruit, afford
ed a beautiful shady grove. This was
Clara's favorite nook; here she would
go and read poetry. She had been given
the works of Lamartine, beautifully
bound. Now, Lamartine, is very ten
der poet. and Clara was still in her
teens, and this was summer, and the
fragrance of the flowers and the muir
muir 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
swer came from her heart; she blushad
and from her neck to her brow she
felt that sort of electricity that is pro-
-duced by a little shame and a great
pleasure.
"Wen," said her mother, "you will
see him very soon."
Clara was about to say: t'Oh, how
glad I ami" but she thought it more
proper to say nothing.
And why was she silent? I viii tell
you. 1t was because she had read La
MARITIME Why! does poetry make ore
false? Well, 1 don't know. but it speaks
of love-and what is love?
WELL" said Clara, 81 have not seen
him for two years. 1 suppose he is
changed"
Not more than you," said her mother,
casting a loving glance of admiral ton
to her daughter; you were a little girl
when you went away-you are young
lady now"
Clara ran off to her beloved grove to
hide the bushes on her cheeks and the
beatings of her heart. She sat down,
drew from her pocket her volume of
poetry, but read not a 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 trembled. He took hold of those
hands and kissed her on both cheeks.
He was medical student who had not
yet in his brain the least thought of
anything serious; he had suddenly dis
covered in himself vocation for the
beautiful science of Aesculapius, that
he might go to Paris to spend few
years of his life and waste a few thou
sands of his fathers francs.
''Ahi little COUSIN" said he, you are
pretty now. Why, 1 am afraid 1 shall
fall 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
/ would scare you by swinging to and
fro in the boat to capsize your
.'Oh, no, 1 remember it all.''
Then why don't you put your arms
around my neck and say pleasant things
to me as you did then?''
81 don't know" she faltered.
Then he said to himself: This cousin
of mine must be little simpleton-"
''Well.'' said he, aloud, land what is
this book 90
'Lamartine. 1t is beautiful
81 don't think so. I think it stupid"
then seeing that she was somewhat
abashed, he added: "Why does it dis
please you that 1 should not care for
LamartiHe?"
Because 1 love his poems
swell, if l read poetry 1 want Alfred
de Musset. 1 shall send you his works
when l get to Paris
At this moment they heard quick
and firm step on the sandy walk, and
young man came upon them.
Excuse me. madenoiselle," said he,
81 have just learned that Albert is here
md 1 have come to shake hands,
An old saying came to Clara's mind:
1.-Two IS company; three is a crowd"
She was too well behaved to say it, so