Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1910-10-28
foss q Co., Island Pond

Barring doesn't cuulr here r,ry .:
ten" said l. 1T Is months since I've
met him here"
"He comes occasionally" said Ruth
erford. with an uneasy manner that
puzzled me.
Rutherford was supposed to be in
love with Anna Clarendon. | had
heard gossip about 1t several times
since his return from abroad some
months ago Did he wish for Earrings
power In order to read the girls heart
or did he fear her for some secret
of his own If Anna should be taught
too well?
There was a general impression that
Rutherford had sown n heavy crop OF
wild oats. hut | knew nothing to his
serious discredit. and the fact that
Barring who was the soul of honor,
still remained his friend was excellent
evidence IN his favor. Suppose. how.
ever, that Barring did know some Sc
cret Of RutherfOrd's that should be
bar &, his marriage with Anna Clar-
endOn Barring might be bound in hon
or not to betray his friend, and yet he
might feel privileged to school Anna
In the mysteries of character reading
for her own protection. But this was
mere guesswork on my part. The facts
In the case came to my knowledge
| presently
About noon of the next Saturday
Barring and Rutherford met accidental
| ly in that little piece of pandemonium
that lies at the New York end of the
Brooklyn bridge. Rutherford was about
to descend the stairs to the subway.
and Barring had just come up
Il hear that you're going out TO the
Stuarts for the week end" said Ruth
erford.
Barring shook his head.
NO" said he; 81 was asked. but
I'm not going. In fact. old man. Pm
not going anywhere any more"
What do you mean by that?"
Simply that the world is the world
and / am poor" answered Barring,
"All my friends are rich. | can't
make money. so must give up my
friends. From him that hath not
shall be taken away even that which
he hath When General Clarendon
came into his brothers vast posses.
sions the last link was broken that
bound me to society, My patrimony
Is too small to mention. I'm poor
author; that's the size of me- My
apartments are not garnet, but it's
quite the same thing in these days"
1.-THE Clarendons'-
81 know it. They're the last people
in the world to found a distinction
upon a difference of fortune. But
they're not doing it. you see. I'm do
ing it."
Il used to think you were rather
fond Of Anna" said Rutherford. will
more feeling than the simple word:
seemed to call for.
Il was and am and ever shall be,
answered Barring. but my hopes eX
tend no further than that she ma!
marry a good man" And he looked
straight into Rutherford's eyes.
Rutherford laughed in an embar
raised fashion as he shifted hi
glance.
'Confound your parlor magic" salt
he. 1--WE seen so much of 1t that
can't bear to have you look at me-"
Il don't see anything that you neet
be ashamed Of" responded Barring.
: 'Then wish me WELL" said Ruther
ford. wish me well tomorrow"
Barring understood. Miss Clarendon
was to be at the Stuarts' for the weel
b end, and Rutherford had resolved t
try the hazard of his happiness.
"Pm to meet Anna ON the platform
below" said Rutherford after pause
'She has been at her fathers office
We're going uptown together and the
to the Stuarts on the o'clock trail
with some others of the party.
! must hurry. l should not have dc
layed SO long. 1t is possible tina
Anna may be already on the platform
Walk along down with me-"
They went down the stairs togethe
and as far as the ticket office, wher
Barring babe his friend goodby. AS b
turned back toward the stairs he say
Miss Clarendon descending.
He was not In the mood to met
her, and so he stepped aside into tn
mouth Of a gallery that opens frol
the main passage. She passed clos
to him, but did not see him, thong
for moment she seemed to look a
most straight into his face. He oil
served her keenly. An overmasterin
impulse had taken possession of hin
and he eXerted all the power of h
singular gift, developed by years {
patient study. She was on her wa
to meet Willis Rutherford of who's
love for her it was impossible that ST
should be unaware. Unless she lacke
the intuition of her sex she mu.
know that he was on the very vere
Of a declaration The next few houl
would bring her the happiness Of 10y
:. confessed, If indeed she loved. Coul
s she carry this knowledge in her hea
e and not reveal it to such an observ,
s as Barring? In mere sport he had rea
trivial secrets in her face Could |
fail to read secret which is ofte
amusingly clear even to untraine
eyes?
e Experience whispered to him ths
= ! the moment was exceptionally oppo