The Wilmington daily Republican., 1901-12-05
COUSIN CLARA
(top, right, 1901. by Authors syndicate.)
BY FRANK H. SWEET.

all filled with good-natured spectators.
lie walks back and forth under the
awnings with curious interest. The
scene is charactsristically American,
and he has been away from home long
enough to feel keen zest in its nov
city.
Presently young lady coming down
the plank walk drops her handkerchief,
and he hands it to her with a slight
bow. As he does so he looks into the
same brown eyes that had tha nked 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.
aDd they are so pleasant to look into
that he cannot forbear a second
glance. and is rewarded with look OF
recognition.
He has never been much of Il society
man: but time drags heavily after a
few days, and he is glad when a new
acquaintance introduces Miss Stanton.
She is very pretty and unusually bright
and we'll informed, attributes which he
knows how to appreciate. He begins
to Join her in walks TO the beach, and
TO 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
forgets his presence entirely, as she
gazes out to where the white gulls sail
back and forth across the horizon. But
be does not mind. He likes to lie on
the sand or rocks at her feet and to
Look into the unconscious brown eyes
and people them with odd images and
fancies.
One day he finds letter in his mail
that looks familiar. It has been for
Warded from Paris. and was originally
posmarked al Narragansett Pier. He
breaks the seal and finds it to be an
exact duplicate OF the one he has in
his pocket. with the exception of be-
ing dated a few days later.
"Why didn't she sign her full name.
or at least give some clew to her iden-
tity"" he questions, rs he compares
the two letters and knits his brows in
an eNasperated manner. "She seems
to take It for granted that | know
who. and what and where she is, and
all about her. Probably she is expect
ing an answer to her letter by this
time. Well. I will collect few more
Claras and ana'yze them: but fore
see it win he a hopeless job"
The next day h~ sets himself to work
more assiduously than ever to culti-
vate new acquaintance,. He even goes
to the Times Office and has local put
in the daily paper to the effect that
"Eobert Leighton. of Paris. is stopping
few weeks at Nara gansett Per-"
He is persistent in his efforts TO cnt
in,roductions, and is strangely eager
minutes conversation.
One day Miss Stanton expresses snr-
prise at his large circle OF acquaint-
ances, and that puts an abrupt end TO
the search. Tie is not ambitious OF
posing as society man. He is eager
to ,nravel Cousin Clara: but. fter ALL
when it comes to point Of Issue, she
is only secondary consideration.
In quiet way Miss Stanton is prov
ing herself to be very fascinating
person, but he does not fully realize
his position until near the end OF Au.
gust; then he takes himself suddenly
to task. There are but two courses
open to hint; an abrupt retreat, or an
unconditional surrender. and only one
Of them seems feasible. He retreats.
There are few persons in his car1he
next morning. lie is too early in he
season. and decidedly too early in he
day. But as he settles himself com
fortably back in his seat and glances
around he encounters the brown eyes.
and is conscious of a sudden thrill Of
CONSERVATION, They give him pleased
look of recognition, and he crosses
over and takes a seat beside their
owner.
"Goine away" he asks. GUILTY..
ooh. no; only to Providence. 7 viii,
return tonight. And you?"
lie rises abruptly and places his
light baggage in the rack overhead
When he sit down the train is in mo-
,ion, and he tries to keep her atten-
tion on the things outside.
"rha is Silver lake oft there" he
says. as broad sheet of water elides
into view on the left. "Noticr the ir-
regular little island in the center, and
the trees just awakening to the pos
sbilities of color. 1t is worthy Of a
frame and position beside Nozal's
'Bay OF San Michel"
She Smiles in pleased assent and
eazes at the small lake until inierven-
ing trees and rising ground conceal it
from view.
at is charming" she says; "1 like
the country down this way very much.
T have been through most OF the VII
lagos, through the mills at Peace Dale,
l-up to The Wolf rocks, over to the
Stuart place, and~-I cannot begin to
tell you all the little trips have taken.
enjoyed them, every one. Ishal most
certainly come here again"