Charles W. Chesnutt

“ Erelong, he fondly believed, the recovery would
be so far complete that he could consign to the
tomb of pleasant memories even the most thrilling
episodes of his ill-starred courtship.
"George," said Mrs. Tryon one morning while
her son was in this cheerful mood, "I'm sending
Blanche over to Major McLeod's to do an errand
for me. Would you mind driving her over? The
road may be rough after the storm last night, and
Blanche has an idea that no one drives so well as
you."
"Why, yes, mother, I'll be glad to drive Blanche
over. I want to see the major myself." ”

“ Why not speak to her now,
and thus give himself the best possible protection
against stray flames of love?
"Blanche," he said, looking at her kindly.
"Yes, George?" Her voice was very gentle,
and slightly tremulous. Could she have divined
his thought? Love is a great clairvoyant.
"Blanche, dear, I"--
A clatter of voices broke upon the stillness of
the forest and interrupted Tryon's speech. A
sudden turn to the left brought the buggy to a
little clearing, in the midst of which stood a small
log schoolhouse. ”

“ She displayed a
singular affinity for the tastes that were his--he
could not, of course, know how carefully she had
studied them. The old wound, recently reopened,
seemed to be healing rapidly, under conditions
more conducive than before to perfect recovery. ”