The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-02-04
TWO LOVERS.

'Uf course l know II IS q great piece
of folly in me-" ''Thcn why do it?'
The other young man laughed with a
certain bitterness. He was standing II
front of a large oak tree which was hall
cut through; he was leaning on his AK,
and looking at the man near him, who
was seated on u fallen trunk and smok.
ing a cigar.
About this person was the unmistaka.
Bile air of wealth and success. He was,
nevertheless, gazing at his compan'
ion with the AK with m expression OF
admiration.
"Why do it," repeated Holt; and he
lifted his weapon and swung it furiously
against the oak. Il do it just for the
same reason that that tree is bound tc
fall, because it can't help it."
"Pshaw!"
Mr.. Barron, though he uttered this cX.
clamation as if in remonstrancc, could
not help a look as of relief coming to his
face. He felt that his couutenancc eX-
pressed 700 much, and he stopped down
and picked up a twig from the ground,
breaking it in his fingers, and not raising
his eyes.
"Iou see, l have grown up near hel
since she was n child" went on Holt,
land l don't think she would ever think
of me, save as a kind of brother. Pm
not going to give her the trouble of say.
ing No to me. Girls don't care for
people they have seen all their lives"
"How do you know so much about
girls" rising suddenly to his feet, and
hinging away his cigar.
"Who is it who knows so much about
girls" asked a voice behind them among
the trees, and a girl stepped out into the
opening and looked from one to the
other, not a smile stirring her dark and
vivid face. But there was a flash OF fun
in the eyes which was not allowed to
oyerrun.
Naomi Barto must have known very
we'll what was the effect of that GRIM
son, fluffy thing which was twisted over
her black hair; and was she unconscious
that none could wear the drapery of a
shawl with more grace than she could
bring to bear upon that apparently pas
sive act2 There were little red mittens
on her hands, and one Of those hands
held athree pint tin pail.
81 suppose you think it q manly thing.
Ralph Holt" she said, turning to that
person, whose face, despite himself, was
glowing with pleasure at sight Of her,
to leave your poor old mother to suffer
from fears that you will starve to death.
You forgot your dinner again to.day."
Barron had quickly removed his hat as
he had bowed profoundly to Miss Barto,
and now he stood looking at her with
that undisguised but perfectly respectful
admiration, which is so great a compli-
mcnt to q woman.
Did she see that admiratlon9 Holt, at
least, saw it, and it was like a sudden
and terrible revelation to him.
Of course, Barron was attracted to
her; of course that attraction must be
mutual; for Hot was not so perversely
blind but he could see that this stranger,
rich, handsome, of good address, and,
he added to himself, "a good fellow,
too" was one to ensnare a woman's
fancy.
He had just announced to Barron that
he had made up his mind to try his for
tune in the Far West. He was going TO
Colorado. lie could not help going, he
had asserted, for if he remained at home
he should some time be obliged to see
Naomi Barto smile with love at some one
else.
Before Holt could speak, Barron said,
gayly:
"You put a premium on forgetfulncss,
Miss Barto. You'll make him leave his
dinncr-pail every day if you come and
bring it to him."
Holt said nothing. The girl wondered
why his face was so black as he advanced
and took the pail from her hand.
Everything was now made plain to
him. lie knew why Barron had contin'
ued staying in the country when one
would think he would prefer his usual
haunts.
"Well. Barron had a right to love
her. What could be said against it!
Holt saw Naomi turn with a brilliant
smile toward Barron, and in q silent fury
he took up his AK and began plying it
with vigor, finding q sort Of savage re-
lief as the blade cut off huge chips from
the tree.
The girl remained some minutes, but
she did not appear to notice Holt again
until she went away, when she said good
by to him with the free pleaSantness of
any acquaintance to whom his whims
were nothing Tor good or i'll.
Barron looked after her as if almost
decided to follow, but something held
him back. lie sat down again and
watched the chips flying fast from the
swift cleaning ak.
Suddenly he exclaimed:
81 be. ieve you are right. Women don't
love the men they've known from child
hood. Il they think they de, they are
mistaken
Holt stood still, breathing heavily. He
scarcely dared look at his companion.
There was some dreadful impulse in his
mind to turn and dash his TX against
that handsome face. For the moment he
was afraid of himself. He saw again, as
through a course of blood, the sweet,
involuntary smile Naomi had given Bar
ron.
He turned toward Barron, who sprang
back involuntarily 4 step, crying out:
''Good heavens, Holt. what has hap
pened to your
The exclamation recalled Holt to him
self. He tried to laugh. Then he said,
awkwardly:
II am glad you agree with ME about
women and their way Of loving. You
see | nm right in deciding not to stay
here and endure the torture of seeing
that girl love someone else. Instead of
waiting until next week before | 60. l
can be ready the day after to morrow"
Holt was looking full in his COM
pauion's face as he said these words. and
he saw something there that made him
say, sharply, and yet with a kind of gut
tural. sound in his voice:
Barron, you love her"
Barron turned away, but Holt saw his
face grown red and then pale. Then he
frontcd his 9ucstioner and said, almost
in a whisper:
eff do, you cannot wonder, can
you?"
Holt was silent a long time. So long
that Barron at last came toward him, and
put his hand on his arm, repeating his
question:
"You cannot wonder, can you"
Instead of replying. Holt said:
was thinking of that old saying
about looking at happpiness through
another mans eyes"
"But / am not happy yet"
"You will be. Isaw her smile at you
to-day"
"You must not put too much into a
woman's smile"
Though Barron said this, his face
showed that his hope was high.
~ shall not cut any more wood to-
day." abruptly said Holt. evil you
70 down the hill with me?'
lie hurriedly put on his jacket, then
swung his axe over his shoulder. He
looked and acted in haste.
IF I sec Stcuben before noon," he
said, as if to himself, 81 can easily ar
range to leave the day after tomorrow.
Every hour that l stay about here is
misery to me now"