Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1905-09-08
Train Can't Wait

Daring a few daEs alter Clara
arrival the whole house MAS upset,
making and receiving calls. dinner
parties. dancing parties, lawn ten
ni,-thc davs were not long enough
10 hold their pleasures, Then all
was quiet at the mill.
In the orchard, which was large,
the walks were spread over with
sand. and the trees, loaded with
fruit. afforded a beautiful, shady
grove. This was Clara's favorlie
nook. Here she would 90 and read
poetry. She had been given the
works of Lamartine, beautifully
bound. Now, Lamartine Is II very
tender poet, and Clara was stu IN
her teens. and this was summer, ana
the fragrance of the flowers and the
murms of the breeze acted on her
Young mind. and through this book
She would dream of things that she
had never dreamed of before.
One dav her mother asked her II
she remembered her cousin Albert.
"Uh, yes, indeed" said she. This
answer came from her heart. She
blushed. and from her neck to her
brow she felt that sort of electricity
that is prodl , by little shame
and a great pleasure.
well" said her mother, You
will see him very soon.
Clara was about to say, "Oh, how
glad ! am" but she thought Ii more
proper to say nothing.
And why was she silent? | will
tell you-it was because she had
read Lamartine. Why does pretty
poetry make one false: Well, |
don't know, but it speaks of love
and what is love:
"Well." said Clara, Il have not
seen him for two years. | suppose
he is changed
Not more than you," said her
mother, casting "A loving glance of
admiration at her daughter. ~ on
were a little girl when YOU went
away. You are a Young lady now.
/ Clara ran off to her beloved grove
to hide the bushes on her checks
and the beatings 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 think
ing of him. She always had roses
on her checks, but these roses
changed into peonics when she saw
him, and her hands trembled. He
took hold of those hands and kissed
her on both checks.
He was a medical student who
had not vet in his brain the least
thought of anything serious. He had
suddenly discovered in himself yo-
cation for the beautiful science of
T,sculapius, that he might 90 to
Paris to spend "a few years of his
life and waste a few thousands of
his fathers francs.
"Ah, little cousin" said he, ''you
are pretty now. Why, | am afraid
; shall fall in love with YOU"
, She looked at him, not knowing
what to say.
"EIave YOU forgotten the good
times we had in this garden and oyel
there in the woods?"
"Oh, no." said she.
"And when we would 90 rowing
, and | would scare you by swinging
to and fro in the boat to capsizC
YOU"
"Oh, no. I remember it ALL"
"Then why don't you put YOU
arms around my neck and say pleas
: ant things to me, as You did then ?
Il don't know" she faltered.
, Then he said to himself, "Thi
cousin of mine must be a little sim
plcton."
"Well," said he aloud, "and wha
5 is this book ?"
'Lamartine. 1t is beautiful"
81 don't think 50. | think it stu
| pid" Then, seeing that she wa
l somewhat abashed, he added, ''Wh,
r does it displease you that | shout,
not care for Lamartine?"
Because | love his poems"
'Well, if | read poetry | wan
| Alfred de Musset. | shall send Vol
! his works when | get to Paris"
At this moment they heard {
quick and firm step on the sand,
walk, and a young man came upol
them.
4 excuse me, mademoisele," sale
l he. 81 have just learned that AL
bert is here, and | have come t.
shake hands,"
An old saying came to Clara
mind, ''Two is company, three is
crowd" She was too well behaved
: to say it, so she left the two youn!
men together. When alone, she re
fected that Albert was a very mic,
cousin and might make very gooc
husband. As for his friend-well
; he was very good looking man anc
J might be a very nice fellow-bu
} "hat difference between the two!