The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1883-02-21
BARBARA ROY'S VALENTINE.

Alldil ANOitol az hNO uAAo tWOhsy
found himself a rising physician,
with something more than a local
reputation. He was decidedly hand.
some, and for abilities, they were SC
far beyond mediocrity as to promise
HIM a distinguished future in his
chosen profession.
But for nearly a year the young
doctor had been growing more and
more unhappy, until at last, one dull
thirteenth of February, he flung
himself back in his Office easy chair,
and clasping his hands over his
head, thought, with dreary yawn.
that lite was a very unsatisfactory
business, and that his companion on
the opposite side of the table was
one of the most insufferable bores in
existence. although he CHANGED to be
none other than good natured, OBJ
tuse, gossipping Bob Trelawney.
Bob had been describing a society
entertainment, and utterly uncon-
scious of his victims invisible with.
ings, had gone on descanting on the
charms of capricious belle, beauty
and heiress known as Miss Barbara
Roy.
"The Gaunts brought out Lulu
Lushington-a grand, lymphatic,
half caste nabob's daughter-you
know" Bob continued. "Of course
they meant to set up their great
sleeping or doing beauty against
Bab-"
Here Allan interrupted in a savage
temper and icy tone DO | un'
derstand you to allude to Miss
Roy ~
Certainly" responded Bob
suavely Bah Roy, and a beauty
she is, too. Some of the fellows she
has snubbed most numerically.
Just few, you know, did go over to
Miss Lushington's camp, but they
came back quick enough, can as
sure you. Why. one glance out o.
Bah Rays soft, velvet brown eyes
is worth a Kings ransom, if she only
meant it-but that's the worst of it
she never does-and it just sets us
poor fellows wild"
Another yawn on the part of the
tormented physician, who vouch.
sated no other reply.
Bob was imperturbable, and draw.
ing a sheet of paper toward him be-
gaa sketching a feminine head, with
great delicacy and skill.
IL say, Norton" he remarked, as
he elaborated the design, "aren't you
becoming something of a woman
hater 1t really seems so to me, and
I've heard more than one or two oi
our fellows say So"
"If to discover an absence of real
earnest character, benevolence, good
sense, and all else but fiattering van.
itv and a passion for novelty in the
sex, make me a hater, | am one"
Allan almost snarled this ILL
tempered speech at his friend. The
facts may excuse him somewhat
Barbara Roy was his very distan,
cousin and his souls cherished idol
Looking backward he could not re-
member ever seeing her equal ir
beauty, grace or intelligence. 1t was
her empty, aimless life that frenzied
him-her assuming the throne OF a
reigning society belle, and permit
ting her days to tiy in a ronnd o.
senseless pleasure-every new folly
finding in her its readiest votary
and each sensation flung aside like
child's toy at disappearance of its
successor.
This was the secret of Allan Nor
tons wretchedness.
Such a grand and noble woman
As she might be-" he thought, wher
the beautiful Barbara went whirlinf
by him in the park, drawn in :
pheton as fanciful as Queen Mab's
and by four pretty ponies. Behint
her, like liveried mutes, with folded
arms, hung pair of hunkies ant
on she sped, reins in hand, a marve
of French millinery and American
beauty combined.
Coldly and gravely he raised hi
hat and bowed in answer tO her mer
!ry laugh, or pouting toss, just as hel
mood might be, and then turnet
away TO hide his altered color or tn
irrepresGble pang that smote hil