South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1896-07-23
HIS SPANISH SWEETHEART.

HIS SPANISH SWEETHEART,
l wondered why Barry should be sit
ting alone In the garden at ten o'clock
on line midwnter night. AS I re-
membcrcd him he had been a sociabl
sort of fellow, fond OF gayety and pret
~ girls; and there WAS Il coti.lion go
Ing on indoors in the ballroom.
wondered. too, where his wife was: for
he had told me he was married. 1t was
ak years since | had last seen him.
We had been boys together just out
of college, and had visited him for
summer in the southern part OF the
State, where his home had always
been, and where his family was one
OF the few "old''ones which could right
iy lay claim to gentility other than
mushroom growth. After that visit
had gone back To San Francisco, and 10
truly San Franciscan system of work,
with the result that my health and
spirits had steadily decreased, and mt
the end of these half-dozen years / was
obliged 10 come south for long rest
had chosen this delightful and quiet
hotel in the hope that might not have
my peace disturbed by any of my nu-
merous ncquaintances; but here, the
hrst thing, came down upon us in our
retreat crowd of woridlings from
town, bent on dancing n cotillion. Bar
ry had come with them; why then. l
repentcd, was he not In the hop-room,
md where was his wife? Perhaps she
lid not dance. But in that case, why
was either of them with the frivolous
arty that was turning our secluded
pot into Bedlam?
For n moment longer / let my gaze
GLOW n girl in white satin, who had
fascinated me. She was very young
nd brilliant and erect, with the face
painter would haveechosen for olym-
oia's, wrcathed i'm vines and serpcnts
y high, unnaturaIly white forehead.
with very black and very straight thin
brows, eyes long and tiaslIing, thin
red lips, continually parted in wild
sort of SMILE over wonderful teeth; n
brilliant color, long face, BACK hair
parted and twisted low on one of the
most columnar necks / have ever seen.
1t was not beautiful face; in repose.
I was far from beautiful. but ii was
rarely in repose. and her laugh was the
most bewildering thing imaginable. If
she had been the heroine of a romance.
men would have loved aud hated her
% the extent of the shedding Of n great
lcal of blood, but in life to-day 1t is
lard cash, not women's faces, that ac-
eomplish that. took one last look at
..he young face, and then went to hunt
10 Harry.
We had already met In the Office, but
lad not had time to exchange "a dozen
words. wanted to talk over old times
sd new times, so. when | drew near,
scraped my feet and coughed. as be
ng the approved method OF breaking
upon tetes-a-tetes and meditations:
nd when he started, | said: "uullo!
hat you. Barry and took seat be-
idle him on the bench. He offered me
I cigar and gave me light. from
which I inferred was not unwelcome.
What are you doing. Incoming under
a pepper tree? 1t seems to me dane
ing's more in your line; or, doesn't the
madam dancer
Yes, she dances"
"oh!" 1 said. and feeling slippery
ground. proceeded to avoid It, Game
down town tonight with the party.
didn't your" / asked.
yes"
Heaps Of pretty women"
do you think so? I admire your
Northern women more; they have more
distinction, too. Ours fade early, be-
sides"
well, there's one girl there. by JOve!
that makes up for country Of medi-
ocrity that witch Of Hirt with the
black hair who is dancing with Thorn
ton. III I didn't happen to have some
one like better in the city, think I'd
go in for her"
"Shc's married my friend"
nor Who's the proud pOsscssorT'
II am"
You don't say? Since when?"
Since FIVE years ago. nearly"
well. it's little late but permit
me to congratulate YOU: she's superb"
Thanks" And then we Iapsed into
silence. and / reflected upon the facility
with which wcll-mcaning man may
put his foot I'm n.
You wonder at my not dancing. don't
your he said. abruptly. Wei. ! used
to like Il; I like It now; but J found
Mrs Barry was already engaged so
there was nothing for me 10 do but 20
order flowers gracefully and step out
hereto reflect and real
do you know" ne went on. ~ had
romantic meeting and parting on this
spot once Right under This very tree.
Il was just after I left you, six years
apo-the meeting. I had ridden out
from town on Nocturne you remcm-
pss Der, the little black snareg 7 was