Gilpin observer., 1906-09-27
The LOVE OF
WATKINS GRAY
BY s. e. klSER

| yOu uO DOTt lONc
for our only child &han to permit her
t. a-row herself away on an artist.
who never sells anything and whose
| father eloped with music teacher?
should think your conscience would
trouble you. Beatrice might choose
| among the sons of a dozen million
aires tomorrow II she would only get
over the idea that she cares for Wat.
kins Gray"
Don't worry, Margaret" he re-
piled without the least indication of
excitement. Il don't believe our
daughter is in any immediate dam
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 IL o'clock. 1t is your duty to do
something"
"If they love each other why not let
them go on being happy? Happiness
is SO rare, you know. Besides, the fell
low isn't bad sort, and he may paint
| something some day that will make
| him famous"
| Mrs. Dalton looked at her husband
hopelessly.
Il want you to promise me one
thing" he went on. Don't say any
thing to Beatrice about this matter.
Don't let her know that we have dis
cussed it. Let her go on in her own
way
| Il promise nothing"
Very well, then; if she is misera.
BILE 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 good deal of an athlete had said
| goodnight Beatrice found her father
waiting Cor her. He put an arm
around her and drew her to him af-
fectionateiy as he said:
| Little girl, / want to talk to you
moment. | have been 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
| have often entertained the selfish
hope that your mother and l might
keep you with us always: but | rea-
lize 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
| than
| But father, /"
| Don't give yourself a moments
uneasiness on our account | regard
| Watkins Gray as one of the finest
young men | have ever known. If it
were left to me to choose a husband
for you he is the man l would think
of first"
But L"
Don't imagine for a moment, Bea.
trice, that a man must have money
to be worthy. Watkins Gray is all
that / could wish my son-in-law TO be.
have liked him from the moment
first saw him. / am sure that you
will never have cause to regret your
| choice
! She 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 a table in corner by
themselves. Having given generous
order. Mr.. Dalton said:
Il cannot deny myself the privilege
of congratulating you on your work.
My wife and I are both proud of you.
We have. for reasons that you may
easily guess, been greatly interested
| in you of late. and 1t is highly crafty
| ing to both of us to know that there
is nothing in your 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. lis girl
who becomes more admirable the
longer you know 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. de-"
| Watkins Gray swallowed hard sew
eral times and tried without success
to think of something to say.
III 1t were necessary tomorrow for
her to begin housekeeping on your
income" Mr.. Dalton continued, Il have
no doubt that she would be able to do
1t to your entire satisfaction. or
course she is still rather young. but
am inclined to believe in early mar
viii you excuse me for a mo-
ment?" the artist desperately inter.
rupted There's man just going
out the door whom | want to see"
i In. IInrncn Aaltct, s,inl