The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1906-11-01
H LOVE OF
WATKINS GRAY
BY S. e. kiSER

" WI cibJ SAi4t IAa ~ ~ 49,
to throw herself away on IN artist
who never sells anything and whose
father cloped with a music teacher? I
should think your conscience would
trouble YOU. Beatrice might choose
among the sons of a dozen million
aires tomorrow If she would only get
over the idea that she cares for Wat
kfns Gray"
Don't worry, Margaret" he re-
piled without the least Indication OF
excitement. Il don't believe our
daughter is in any immediate dan
GER"
But he comes here every night.
They are in the parlor now, and he
has taught her to talk about motifs
and genres. and never goes home be-
fore II O'Clock. 1t is your duty to do
something"
IF they o each other why not let
them go on being happy? Happiness
is SO rare, you know. Besides, the fell
low isn't a bad sort, and he may paint
him famous
Mrs. Dalton looked at Ter husband
hopelessly.
Il want yon to promise ne one
hing" he went on. Don't say any
thing to Beatrice about his matter.
Don't let her know that we have dis.
crsScd it. Let her so on in her own
way
"T promise nothing"
Very well, then; if she is misera.
bic all the rest of her life it will be
your fault"
After Watkins Gray, who in addition
to being an artist was a large man
and n good deal of an athlete, had said
goodnight Beatrice found her father
waiting for her. He put an arm
around her and drew her to him at
fcctionately as he aid
Little girl, I want to talk to you a
moment. have hcen thinking very
seriously about you for the past few
days. Can you imagine why?"
She looked up at him and blushed.
Il will not deny" he went on, that
I have often entertained the selfish
hope that your mother and 1 might
keep you with us always; but I rea-
lie that it is only natural for you to
begin to think of leaving us, and since
it must be SO there is no one to whom
l would rather intrust your happiness
han
But father, l."
Don't give yourself a moments
uneasiness or our count. 1 regard
Watkins Gray as one of the finest
Young men 1 W EVER known. If it
wcrc left to me to choose a husband
for you he is the man I would think
of first"
But I"
"Don't imagine for a moment, Bea-
trice, that a man must have money
to be worthy. Watkins Gray is all
h a I could wish my s~on-in-law TO be.
I have liked him from the I
first saw him. 1 am sure that you
will never have cause to regret your
choice"
h looked down and was silent.
while her mother, who had been list
ening behind a curtain, stole upstairs.
crushing her nails into the palms and
permitting angry tears to trickle down
her face.
On the following day Horace Dalton
went to the studio of Watkins Gray
and invited him to luncheon.
They sat at n table in 4 corner by
themselves. Having given a generous
order, Mr.. Dalton said:
81 cannot deny myself the privilege
of congratulating you on your work.
My wife and l are both proud of you.
We have. for reasons that you may
Ssoiis SuSoS, pSSi SItdlIS lhlel tSlSu
in you of late. and it is highly crafty
ing to both of us to know that there
is nothing in our past to which the
fondest parent could object"
"Thank YOU" the artist replied with
evident embarrassment. Il am glad
to have your good opinion"
Beatrice, as you will discover in
time" her father went on, is q girl
who ecomeS more admirable the
longer o nov her. She wears well,
Watkins. And her mother has very
wisely taught her all of those useful
domestic arts which every girl ought
to Know and which SO few of them,
unfortunately, do"
Watkins Gray swallowed hard sew
eral times and tried without success
to hin Of something to say.
IF it were necessary tomorrow for
her to begin housekeeping on your
income" Mr.. Dalton continued. q have
no doubt that she would be able to do
it to your entire satisfaction. 81
course h is still rather young, but I
am inclined to believe in early mar
Will you excuse me for a mo
ment?" the artist desperately inter-
rupted. There's a man just going
out the door whom I to see
a week later Horace Dalton casual