Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-18
for
w HI O II T. L D 7 II Z

cause shall be so glad when you do
That's all | want, deary, just the wore
you've no idea how it helps
But you must be very careful, Rob. Don't Il
your enthusiasm get sde-tracked."
That's just it, Barbara. How you understand
And truly, I'll try-tru1y, my gir1-and if--nt
when-I win, it will be because of your faith in
At this Barbara Scove smiled. Lloyd, catchin
her expression, smiled too, and then they bot
laughed.
Never mind" said the young man; it's tru
in it's own way"
Yes" returned Barbara, with half sigh,
in it's way.
The two had been friends for years. Rob-
ert Lloyd wished to make their relation a
dearer and irrevocable 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 ob1iging before all else, he waited
Nor did he especially mind the waiting
long as Barbara waited with him. The
world was so full of number of things and
most of them were so interesting and they
enjoyed them together so thoroughly, that n
the question of their relationship dwindled tN
to mere detail. Occasionally indeed fire. Ri
quently, he urged her to give him definite
promise; but always, with great difficulty
she changed the subject and diverted his FL
thoughts into another channel, and they re-
manned 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 Lloyd, and so great
the charm of his personality that when
with him lnStinctively felt that definite
ness was bana1 and in no way to be desired
He suited Barbara Scovel wonderfully. So cor
genial were they mentally, SO sympathetic we1
their sense of hu1nor, that the many hours the
spent together were seasons of harmonious an
unalloyed delight. Especially strong in each we
a whimsical sense of the dramatic and many
apparently ordinary situation furnished these tw
with an opportunity for subtle ecstatc enjoymen
Lloyd constant visitor at the Scovel hous
in New-York city, and spent many week-ends q
their country home in the summer; and never di
he lose his power to and interest Barbara
never did he do or say anything that Jared on he
taste offended her of proportion; an
never did he fail in the least occasion for kindl
courtesy and unobtrusive gentleness. In a wore
Robert Lloyd charming; but the word mu.
be taken in it's most liberal and COMPREHENSIVE
meaning.
Barbara Scovel was charming too; but her char
not for everybody. Indeed, only those VIII
knew her best allowed to discover the fact
all To others she was brilliant clever indifferer
and trife naughty. Her patrician face gave on
the impression of the daughter of a hundre
Earls,' and her calm graciousness of manner
way disturbed this impression Had it nc
been for the rrepreSsible wrinkles at the corners
her mouth, Barbara's countenance might have bee
called impressive. When they appeared, it we
1ovable.
The girl was an orphan and lived with her unc
Colonel Scovel. Perhaps it would be more nearl
correct to say he lived with her, for Barbara don
mated the establishment, and the old Colonel wa
well pleased have CaDab1e of anvthr
that required organization and direction, Barbara
housekeeping was systematic, comfortable and sa
isfactory to all concerned. Her servants were wei
trained and reasonable. and her home was hs