New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-18
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w III O III Z l. ID I III z

You viii win responded Barbara, be
cause ! shall be so glad when YOU do
That 5 all ] want, dearv, lust the one word
you've no idea how il helps
But you must be very careful, Rob. Don't le
your enthusiasm get side-tracked"
/ hat S Just II, Barbara. How YOU understand
And truly, III try-truly, my girl-and if-no
when win II will be because OF your faith in me
At this Barbara Scovel smiled Llovd. catching
her expression, smiled too, and then they both
Laughed.
Never mind" said the young man; its true
IN It's own way"
Yes returned Barbara, with a half sigh,
IN its own way"
The two had been friends for wears Rob
ert Lloyd wished TO make their relation a
deareT and more iTrevocable one: but Bar
bara, although twenty seven years old had not
yet consented. That she would consent
eventually. Lloyd had not the slightest doubt
and being obliging before all else, he waited.
Nor did he especially mind the waiting, as
long Barbara waited with him. The
world was SO full of a number OF things, and
most OF them were interesting, and they
enjoyed them together so thoroughly, that =
the question OF their relationship dwindled
To a mere detail. Occasionally. indeed fire.
quently, he urged her TO give him definite
promise, but always, with no great difficulty.
she changed the subject and diverted his
thoughts into another channel, and they re-
manned as good friends as before.
Robert Lloyd was an architect. But he had
neglected that branch OF architecture with
which every man is said TO be innately familiar.
and so FAR the plans for his own fortune had
not taken definite shape Indeed there was
nothing definite about Llovd. and so great
the charm OF his personality that when
with him one instlnCtiVely felt that definite
ness was banal and IN no way TO be desired
He suited Barbara SCovel wonderfully So con
genial We're they mentally, SO sympathetic were
they ternperarnentally, and absolutely identical
their sense OF hurnOr that the many hours they
spent together were seasons OF harmonious and
unalloyed delight. Especially strong in each was
q whimsical sense OF the dramatic and many an
apparently ordinary situation furnished these two
with opportunity for subtle ecstatIc enjoyment
Lloyd was a constant visitor at the SCOvel house
II New-Hork city, and spent many week-ends at
their country home in the summer; and never did
he lose ms power to aTnuSe and interest Barbara
ne~ar did he do say ANYTHING that Jared on heI
taste offended her sense OF proportion. and
never did he fail in the least occasion for kindly
courtesy and unObtrusIve gentleness. In a word
Robert Lloyd was charming; but the word must
be taken IN Its most liberal and comprehensive
meaning
Barbara Scovel was charming too: but her charm
was not for everybody. Indeed, only those who
knew her best were allowed TO discover the fact al
all To Others she was brilliant clever, Indifferent
and a trife naughty. Her patrician face gave one
the impression OF the daughter of a hundred
Earls" and her calm graciousness OF manner II
way disturbed this impression. Had it not
been for the irrepressbe wrinkles at the corners OF
her mouth, Barbara countenance might have beer
called impressive. When they appeared, 1t was
lovable
The girl was an orphan and lived with her uncle
Colonel Scovel Perhaps i would be more nearly
correct 10 say he lived with her, for Barbara dom
mated the establishment, and the old Colonel was
well pleased 10 have II so. Capable Of anything
that required organization and direction. Barbara
housekeeping was systematic. comfortable and sat