The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-08-28

Now, Jack, what harm have 1 ever
done you that you should want TO chain
me DOWN."
Are you not 25?
SIS that old age?'
would you give an old man to your
cousin, who will be only 10 next year?"
In two years she will be 2O-that
will be better still. Then | will be a seTi-
Gus man and an NJ. ID. Clara is good
match; our fortunates are about equal.
l think 1 might make living in this
country. Well, who knows what may
happen one day? 1 have plenty of time
to think of it
II think your cousin deserves better
than that, and you ought to be in love
with her"
What, Love at first sight! / do
think Clara is pretty, but-plenty of
time-plenty of time,"
Everybody seemed happy at the mill;
even Clara, who listened with pleasure
10 the compliments of her cousin " hen
ever he chanced to be with her, and she
thought him so witty that she quite for
got to show her own wit before him.
In the meantime she was hoping that
he would propose before going back to
Paris, but the last day dawned, and he
had not said the least word about mar
riage. She hoped till the last hour;
then. till the last minute.
Albert gave kisses all around and said
to her: Il will come back next year.
l will write to you, and send Musset's
works. as promised
She plucked up courage and said to
him:
rs that all you want to promise, AL
bert?"
He understood what she meant, but
would not promise more, and as his eyes
rested on the clock he said:
''Good-by, cousin; the train is here
it cannot wait"
The life of a student, especially that
of student who does not study, is just
as tiresome as any other.
There comes a time when he gets
tired of beer, wine and cigars.
Albert was in one of his dark days;
since morning he had felt cross, and
would not even smoke; his pipe lay
on the table with pile of books and
dusty papers. His tobacco pouch re-
minded him of Clara-she had en-
broideTed il for him during the week
he had spent with her. Then he was
also reminded that he had promised to
write and send Musset's works; he felt
badly at these thoughts, and remorse
made him go out to repair his forget
fulness.
There is a knock at the door; the
servant brings up letter to him; it is
from his mother.
His drowsiness gives way as he reads
the lines; he gets up in passion, up
setting the table and everything up
on il.
Clara is to be married, and in week,
too; and he is expected to attend the
wedding.
And whom does she marry, won
der?" eXclaims he; "some- common
country lad. 1 suppose. No, it can
not be! | must go there and stop it;
she cannot be sacrificed in this way!"
Two hours later he started with a va
lise in one hand and a bundle under one
arm; il was Musset's works.
Clara met him at the garden gate;
she was looking as fresh as the flowers,
and he, being eonceited, thought that
the happiness expressed on her face
was due to his presence. She was less
timid than last year and a little stouter,
one could read her heart through her
gray eyes and her smiles.
rs what L hear true, Clara"
Certainly l was about to write to
you. L want you here f or the wedding" !"
1T is impossible!"
Quite possible and true"
With whom?'
With Jack, of course"
''Ah, the scoundrell There is nothing
like a friend to betray one"
why, Albert, what a short memory
YOU have. Poor Jack would not speak
of love before he was quite sure of your
full that you set him al liberty to speak
am so proud and happy at being loved
by such noble heart"
Albert threw his bundle on the table.
What is that?" asked Clara.
''Musset's works. L had promised
them TO you"
you are too late, cousin. Jack gave
them to me long ago. as was complain
ing of your forgetfulness."
Tell me. Clara-this is all dream,
is il not? You are not going to marry
Jack?''
She laughed "And why not?' she
said.
Because / love you; because if you
mean to marry Jack start by the first
train, and you shall never see me
again"
She looked at the clock, as he had
done the year before, and said, archly:
Then hurry up, cousin, for the train
is here, and it cannot wait."-N. q.
TimesDemocrat.