The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-01-16
TWO LOVERS.

The other young man laughed with a
certain bitterness. He was standing in
front of large oak tree which was half
cut through; he was leaning on his ak,
and looking at the man near him, who
was seated on fallen trunk and smok-
ing 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 an expression of
admiration.
''Why do itl' repeated Holt; and he
lifted his weapon and swung it furiously
against the oak. 4 do it just for the
same reason that that tree is bound to
FALL because it can't help it."
"Pshawm
Mr.. Barron, though he uttered this ex-
camation as if in remonstrance, could
not help look as of relief coming to his
face. He felt that his countenance ex-
pressed too much, and he stopped down
and picked up a twig from the ground,
breaking it in his fingers, and not raising
his eyes.
you see, have grown up near her
since she was a child" went on Holt.
"and don't think she would ever think
L II
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 teet and
dinging away his cigar.
"Who is it who knows so much about
girls" asked a voice behind them among
the trees and girl stepped out into the
opening and looked from one to the
other, not smil stirring her dark and
vivid face. But there was flash Of fun
in the eyes which was not allowed to
overrun.
Naomi Barto must have known very
well what was the effect of that Grim
son, fluffy thing which was twisted over
her black hair; aud 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 mttens
on her hands, and one of those hands
held three pint tin pail.
81 suppose you think it a manly thing,
Ralph Hot" 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 Baro,
and now he stood looking at her with
that undisguised but perfectly respectful
admiration, which is so great a compli-
mcnt to woman
Did she see that admiration? 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 Holt was not so pervcrsely
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 woman
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;
-,
Miss Barto. You'll make him leave his
dinner-pail every day if you come and
bring it 20 him.
Hol 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 tC
him. lie knew why Barron had contin-
ued staying in the country when ono
would think he would prefer his usual
hauKs.
"Well, Barron had right to love
her. What could be said against it!
Holt saw Naomi turn with brilliant
smile toward Barron, and in a silent fury
he took up his AK and began plying il
with vigor, finding sort of savage re
lief as the blade cut off huge chips from
the tree.
The girl remained some minutes, bu
she did not appear to notice Holt agail
until she went away, when she said good
by to him with the free peasantness o
any acquaintance to whom his whimi
were nothing for good or i'll.
Barron looked after her as if almos
decided to follow, but something helC
him back. He sat down again anc
watched the chips flying fast from tn,
swift cleaning AK.
Suddenly he exclaimed:
~ believe you are right. Women don
love the men they've known from child
hood. II they think they do, they ar
mistaken
Holt stood still, breathing heavily. HI
scarcely dared look at his companion
There was some dreadful impulse in hi
mind to turn and dash his Ak agains
that handsome face. For the moment h
was afraid of himself He saw again, a
through course of blood, the sweet
involuntary smile Naomi had given Bar
ron.