Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-02-15


"Clara is a good match. Our for
tunes are about equal. l think ]
! might make living in this country.
Well, who knows what may happen
one day? have plenty of time to
think of it,"
81 think your cousin deserves bet
ter than that, and you ought to be
in love with her."
"Whatl Love at first sightl 1
do think Clara is pretty, but-plen-
ty of time-plenty of timew
Everybody seemed happy at the
mill-even Clara, who listened with
pleasure to the compliments of her
cousin whenever he CHANGED to be
with her, and she thought him so
witty that she quite forgot to show
her own wit before him.
In the meantime she was hoping
that he would propose before going
back to Paris, but the last day dawn
ed, and he had not said the least
word about marriage.
Albert gave kisses all around and
said to her: 81 will come back next
year. | will write to you and send
De Musset'S works, as promised"
She plucked up courage and said
to him, '1s that all you want to
promise, Albert?"
He understood what she meant,
but would not promise more, and as
his eyes rested on the clock he said;
"Goodby, cousin. The train is here.
1t cannot wait"
The life of a student, especially
that of a student who does not
study, is just as tiresome as any
other.
There comes a time when he gets
tired of beer, wine and cigars.
Albert was in one of his dark
days. Since morning he had felt
cross and would not even smoke.
His pipe lay on his table with pile
of books and dusty papers. His to-
bacco pouch reminded him of Clara.
She had embroidered it for him dur
ing the week he had spent with her.
Then he was also reminded that he
had promised to write and send De
Musset's works. He felt unhappy |
at these thoughts, and remorse made
him 90 out to repair his forgetful-
ness.
There is a knock at the door.
The servant brings up letter to
him. II is from his mother.
His drowsiness gives way as he
reads the lines. lie gets up in
passion, upsetting the table and ev-
erything upon it.
Clara is to be married, and in a
week too And he is expected to
attend the weddingl
"And whom does she marry,
wonder" exclaims he. "Some COM
mon country lad, suppose. No, it
cannot be! ! must go there and
stop it. She cannot be sacrificed in
this way" |
Two hours later he started with o
valise in one hand and bundle I'M
der one arm. 1t was Musset's works.
Clara net him at the garden gate.
She was looking as fresh as the flow
ers, and he, being conceited, thought
that the happiness expressed on her
face was due to his presence. She
was less timid than last year and a
little stouter. One could read her
heart through her gray eyes and her
smiles.
'Ts what / hear true, Clara"
Certainly. was about to write
to you. | want you here for the we'd
ling"
ut is impossiblep
"Quite possible and true"
"With whom"
"With Jack, Of course"
"Ah, the scoundrel. There is
nothing like friend to betray one" ,
"Why, Albert, what a short men,
,ry YOU have! Poor Jack would not
speak of love before he was quite
ure of your feelings toward me. l t
I'm very thankful that you set him a
it liberty to speak. am so proud {
md happy at being loved by such 9
noble heart" 4
Albert threw his bundle on the ia {
lie. q
"What is that 2" asked Clara. O
"Musset's works. had promised n
hem to you" a
"You are too late, cousin. Jack v
ave them to me long ago, as / was t
of your forgetfulness."
"Tell me, Clara-this is all a
= Gam, is II not' rou are not gong
o marry Jack :" c
She laughed "And why not p a
aid she. l.
Because / love you; because if h
on mean to marry Jack ! start by q,
he first train, and you shall never e.
ee me again." W
She looked at the clock, as he had W
one the year before, and said arch "
!, "Then hurry up, cousin, for the q
rain is here, and it cannot wait. p e