, 1896-07-10
THE TRAIN CANNOT WAIT.

She is just IS. with golden hair and
gray eyes-large gray eyes that laugh
lust as well as her red lips; her figure,
though a little rail, makes one think
what a pretty woman she will be Boon.
Her hands and arms are thoss Of a
child-is she not still a child? Clara
left school but a fortnight ago. She is
the beloved and only daughter Of a rch
miller in the neighborhood Of Aresnes.
Nothing is more p~oetical 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 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 with sand, and the
trees, loaded with fruit. afforded 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. Clara was still in her
teens, and this was summer, and the
fragrance of the flowers and the MUIR
mur 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 II she
remembered her cousin Albert.
"Oh. yes, indeed" said she. This an
swer came from her heart; she blushed
and from her neck to her brow she felt
that sort OF electricity that is produced
by a little shame and a great pleasure.
WELL" said the mother, you will
see him very soon."
Clara was about to say. "Oh, how
glad l am" but she thought it more
proper to say nothing.
And why was she silent? l will tell
you. 1t was because she had read La
MARITIME. Why! does poetry make one
false? Well. don't know, but it
speaks Of love-and what is love?
WELL" said Clara, II have not seen
him for two years. l suppose he is
changed"
Mot more than you" said her moth
er, casting a loving glance Of admira-
ton to her daughter; you were a lit
tie girl when you went away-you are
a young lady now"
Clara ran off to her beloved grove to
hide the bushes on her cheeks and the
bsaungS Of her heart. She sat down,
drew from her pocket her volume Of
poetry, but read not a line.
Albert arrived a 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 Jaw him, and her
hands trembled. He took hold Of those
hands and kissed her on both cheeks.
He was a medical student who had
not yet In his brain the Ieae> .hauxht
OF anything serious; he had suddenly
discovered in himself a vocation for
the beautiful science OF Esculapius,
that he might go to Paris to spend a
Few years OF his life and waste a few
thousand Of his fathers francs,
"Ah! little cousin" said he. you are
pretty now. Why. I am afraid I 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?" 49,.
"Oh. no." said she. wusnn
and when We would go rowing and
I would scare you by swinging to and
fro in the boat to capsize you?"
r "Oh, no. I remember 1t all"
b. Then why don't you put your arms
around my neck and say pleasant
things to me as you did them"
II don't know" she faltered.
Then he said to himself: This cous-
In OF mine must be a little simpleton."
81 "Well,' said he aloud, "and what is
this book?" -Hs Of sriHi
"H.
.Lamartine. 1t la beautiful"
II don't think 50. l think 1t stupid
then seeing that she was somewhat
abashed he added why does it dis
please you that 1 should not care for
'Lamartinef"" ',p f-,t7 s'tl'
because I love his poems" i"'
well, II / read poetry l want Alfred
de Musset. I shall send you his works
when l get to Paris" f'"'
At this moment they heard a quick
and arm, stpp cp the sandy walk, and a
young man came upon them. a.sc-
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:
1.-TWO 10 oompsnyA three is a crowd"
She was too well 1bbhayed to say 1t, 90
.aeAefAt~ anGmA tIete4r.
wal9 sloPe = IaeSe AaesAlaiSirs
w.ss.yAast colin. md Misk mike
. very good husbandf Ri his friend