Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-02-15
Train Can't Wait

During few days after Clara s
arrival the whole house was upset,
making and receiving calls, dinner
parties, dancing parties, lawn ten
nis-the days were not long enough
to hold their pleasures. Then all
was quiet at the mill.
In the orchard, which was large,
Ne walks were spread over with
sand, and the trees, loaded with
fruit, afforded a beautiful, shady
grove. This was Clara's favorite
nook. Here she would 90 and read
poetry. She had been given the
works of Lamartine, beautifully
bound. Now, Lamartine is a very
tender poet, and Clara was still in
her teens, and this was summer, and
the fragrance of the flowers and the
murmur 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 day her mother asked her if
she remembered her cousin Albert.
ooh, yes, indeedl" 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 produced 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 amp but she thought it 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, 81 have not
seen him for two years. | suppose
he is changed"
"Not more than YOU" said her
casting a loving glance of
admiration at her daughter. 'You
weres 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 cheeks
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 cheeks, but these roses
changed into peonies when she saw
him, and her hands trembled. He
took hold of those hands and kissed
ler on both cheeks.
He was a medical student who
mad not yet in his brain the least
thought of anything serious. He had
suddenly discovered in himself vo-
alton for the beautiful science Of
Esculapius, that he might 60 to
Paris to spend a few years of his
ife and waste q few thousands Of
lis fathers francs.
"Ah, little cousin" said he, "you
ire pretty now. Why, am afraid I
hall fall in love with YOU"
She looked at him, not knowing
vhat to say.
"Have you forgotten the good
lines we had in this garden and over
here in the woods?"
"Oh, no." said she.
"And when we would 90 rowing
nd would scare you by swinging
o and fro in the boat to capsize
our"
"Oh, no. / remember it all"
"Then why don't you put your
rms around my neck and say pleas
mt things to me, as you did them"
81 don't know" she faltered.
Then he said to himself, "This
ousin of mine must be little SIM
leton."
"Well," said he aloud, "and what
this book ?"
"Lamartine. 1t is beautiful"
81 don't think so. | think it stu
i'd" Then, seeing that she was
,mewhat abashed, he added, "Why
oes it displease you that | should
OF care for Lamartine" I
because | love his poems"
"Well, if T read poetry l want
fired de Musset. | shall send Won {
r. WORKS when get TO rar;s.
At this moment they heard q :
iick and firm step on the sandy t
ak, and young man came upon
lem. s
"Excuse me, mademoiselle," said
;. 81 have just learned that Al J
'rt is here, and / have come to I
AXE hands," S
An old saying came to Clara's
ind, 1.-TWO is company, three is a q
ovid" She was too well behaved l.
say it, SO she left the two young t
N together, When alone. she re- !