A Tar-Heel Baron

t Covet thy Ne

glimpses of blue as the land fell away against the background of the sky; the heavy bunches of mistletoe in some leafless top failed to attract her attention; and she was blind to the beauty of the c

ster his self-respect and to encourage his firmness by indirect means. It seemed now as if the chance were given her to act more openly. If only she

ring, of tradition placed her apart from him.

in Baltimore, where she revived many old-time connections; and she had had another season in New Orleans. Her striking beauty had brought her a success that pleased Mrs. Carroll mor

ke Joseph tru dat co'nfiel' wif de sheaves a-bowin' befo' him, 'n he never

s that seemed to excite the attention which she felt to be her granddaughter's due, without inducing a surrender of her heart. Sydney's marri

not realize, since her sympathy was unquickened by a responsive affection, that a love of short growth could mean much to its possessor. This lack of appreciation of love's intensity was increased by th

eebleness, it had been one of her consolations that at least she would be free from that sort of complication. And here was something worse than anything t

to the rain as it dripped upon the roof from the twig-tips of the oaks, and dreaming a waking dream of what a love would mean that would make any sacrifice a jo

r's wish. He preferred to go home; but if she chose the right-hand road h

settling down gleefully to his work, she remembered that she had failed entirely to accomplish the

ed upon her frequently, and the old lady looked forward to his visits with agreeable anticipation. For three weeks he had not been to Oakwood, and she was determined no longer to endure such n

of inquiring patronage. His mistress was not given to abrupt chang

course," thought Sydney. "I'll go t

dark above her head even as she sat upon her horse. Patches of vivid green moss crept confidingly to the foot of the oaks, and a bit of arbutus, as pink as the palm of a baby's hand, peer

ng powers, but his rider was undaunted. Leaning over the right side of the horse she dexterously pulled apart the top rails where they crossed, and Johnny cleverly stepped back in time to avoid the

e Baron von Rittenheim's nearest neighbors, and Sydney tho

s quite new to her. It seemed as if she could not bear to question Melissa about the Baron. She fancied she

the bridle's length, nibbled at the enamelled green of the lion's tongue with equine vanity,-for he knew that it would beautify his coat,-and push

so suddenly and extraordinarily lost. Perhaps five minutes, perhaps ten, had passed thus in reflection which she called to herself "disgustingly self-conscious," when Johnny lift

d quite still, and Johnny, with satisfied curio

from Melissa's cabin to a spring not far off, and she realized that she must be nearer to the house than she had appreciated. T

e no mo'." It was Melissa. "Ah don' wan' to

Don' you-all remember the time Ah kissed ye behin' the bi

girl then, 'n Ah'm a married woman now, 'n h

screamed lustily at their approach turned his attention once

the encounter upon which unwittingly she had intruded, or whether to go on in case Melissa needed her help or her comfort. Johnny pushed against her

of Sydney's ambush. The mud daubing between the logs shone bright through the hazy spring atmosphere, and a thick white smoke, bet

came running from the front, his outstretched wings lengthening the stride of his sturdy yellow legs, and h

never,

tremulousl

ee him seize Melissa by the waist and lean over to kiss her. The girl took advantage of the loosening of his hold as he caugh

hateful, he won' let me alone,-always pesterin' roun'

distress and stern with disapproval. Pink glanced up at her, and began to sid

id. Ah'll make you sorry you

the saddle and turning her face, now colorless, upon the

' here when Bud's away; 'n when he meets Bud anywheres t

urned horseshoe nailed to a tree before the cabin, an

was very grave,-"did h

ss bald than that which seemed so un

' a right smart bit, 'n one night, when a lot of us was playin' tag in the pasture, he caught me 'n kissed me. That's the only ti

between her own soft pal

t. Can't Bud keep him away? Can

ome day he jus' natchelly goes rarin'. When Ah've tol' him how Pink comes botherin' me, he jus' says, 'Pore fel

yingly how the girl's brother had been brought home dead two y

that threat,-that he'd make you sorry y

ly hit's somethin' mahty mean fo' sho'. He's that low-down

cret that my husband didn't know. Of course, you understand Bud best; but be su

ve to worry over their husbands have children to divert their minds was unbroken in Melissa's case. She wipe

e while, Melissa?" she aske