Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-11-16
COUSIN CLARA
BY FRANK II. SWEET.



He walks back and forth under the
awnings with curious interest. The
scene is characteristically American,
and he has been away from home long
enough TO feel keen zest in its nov
city.
Presently a young lady coming down
the plank walk drops her handkerchief.
and he hands IL 20 her with n slight
bow. As he does 40 he looks into the
same brown ewes that had thanked him
that morning in the Pullman.
When he returns TO the hotel for
lunch. an hour later. he finds the same
eyes on the opposite side OF the table.
and they are so pleasant 20 look into
that he cannot forbear a second
glance. and IS rewarded with a look OF
recognition.
He has never been much OF society
man; but time drsgs heavily after q
few days. and he is glad when a new
acquaintance introduces Miss Stanton.
she is very pretty and unusually bright
and well informed. attributes which he
knows how 20 appreciate. He begins
90 join her in walks 20 the beach. and
20 the castle. and along the rocks.
After \ time he discovers that she also
Is an artist. and has had pictures ap-
proved by the critics. Sometimes she
torEets his presence entirely. as she
gazes out 90 where the white Qulls sail
back an4 forth across the horizon. But
he docs not mind. Re likes 20 lie on
the zand or rocks al her feet and TO
book into the unconscious brown ewes
as = = .
faucies.
One day he finds letter In his mail
that looks familiar. II has been for
warded from Paris. and vns originally
postmarked al Norragansett Pier. lie
breaks the seal and finds g to be 2
exact duplicate OF the one he has In
his pocket. with the exception OF be-
ing dated Few days later.
why C-dn't she sign her FUN name.
or at least give some ciew 90 her idsu-
tity2' be questions. as ne compares
the TWO letters and knits his brows in
an eNasperated manner. "She seems
90 take II FOR granted that know
who. and what and where she is. and
al about her Probably she is expect
ing an answer 70 her letter 10y this
time. Wen. 7 win collect a few more
Claras and snalyze them: but fore
see it viii be a hopeless job"
The next day be sets himself 60 work
more assiduou.ly than ever 60 Guilt
vate new acquaintance. Tie even goes
90 the Times Office and has a local put
En- the daily paper 90 the effect that
Robert Leighton. % Paris. g. stopping
a few weeks a. Nsrraransett PIER"
He is persistent In his efforts o. get
introductions. aad is strangely eager
90 forget ali about them after few
minutes conversation.
One 6av Miss Stanton expresses sur
prise az his large circle Of acquaint-
ances. and that puts an abrupt end -
the search. He Is not ambitious o.
posing as a society man. He IS eager
60 unravel Cousin Clara; but. after all
when it comes % a point OF issue. she
is only secondary consideration.
IN quiet WY Miss Stanton is prov
ing herself 20 be very fascinating
person. bus he does not fully realize
bis position until near the end % Au-
gust; then he takes himself suddenly
20 task. There are but two courses
open 20 him; an abrupt retreat. or an
unconditional surrender. and only one
OF them seems feasible. He retreats.
There are few persons in his car the
next morning. Tie Is 700 early IN the
season. and decidedly too early In the
day. But as he settles himself COM
fortably back in his seat and Plances
around he encounters the brown ewes.
and is conscious 81 sudden thrift Of
conformation. They give him a pleased
look % recognition, and he crosses
over and takes a seat beside their
owner.
Going away?" he asks. euiltily.
ooh. no; only 20 Providence. I wiz
return tonight. And you?"
TIE rises abruptly and places his
light baggage In the rack overhead.
When he sits down the train IS in mo-
tion. and he tries 20 keep her atten-
tion on the things outside
THAT is Silver lake of there" he
saws. as a broad sheet OF water Vlides
inro view on the left Notice the r.
regular little island in the center, and
the trees just awakening 20 the pos
sihilities Of color. II Is worthy of a
frame and a position beside NozaPs
PAY % San Michel"
She smiles IN pleased assent and
gazes az the small lake until interven-
Ing trees and rising ground conceal IL
from view.
1T IS charming" she says; ct ike
the country down this way very much.
I have been through most % the vii.
lagos. through the mills at Peace Dale.
up 90 the Wolf rocks, over 20 the
Stuart place. and-I cannot begin 10
tel you all the little trips 7 have taken.