The Democratic advocate., 1908-05-29
In Her Moment of
Weakness.
By CECILY ALLEN.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

She had always been distressingly
capable and competent.
y don't believe Beatrice ever had q
headache or a nervous spell like you
girls have" Henry Dalton had remark
ed one day to his two sisters, absorbed
by bonbons and new novels and wrap
ped in Indifference and silk negligees.
And the tone in which he spoke was
not entirely complimentary. In fact,
a distinct note of personal injury rang
through it, for how can a man assume
an attitude of protective chivalry to-
ward a girl entirely capable of doing
for herself?
Beatrice never dropped her fan or
her handkerchief, nor came into the
drawing room with her glove unbut-
toned, nor gave opportunity for the lit
tie services which other women seem
ed to have demanded Of Henry Dalton
since he had risen to the dignity of
knickerbockers.
Yet withal Beatrice Craig was moth
inc if not feminine. She wore the
softest and most clinging Of fabrics.
She played golf, but did not court bare
arms and tan. She wore tailored suits,
but she softened them with delicious
froufrou bows of lace at her throat.
She was ruff1y and fluffy, but she never
tore her ruffles and then asked for a
pin to make repairs.
-, cI,o I,a
fore her fathers failure and death she
was doubly inaccessible and impregna-
Bile after reverses overlook her. Be-
fore that she had simply fenced with
Dalton Now she donned an armor
that seemed we'll nigh invulnerable.
Directly the estate was settled up
and the smallness Of their Inheritance
was made known to her Beatrice Craig
had turned breadwinner, investing the
pitiful little heritage in a smart shop
where layettes Of the most superlative
fineness and beauty were sold.
In the front room, with its exquisite
fittings and scented presses, she exhib-
tied wares selected to suit the matrons
among whom she had grown from girl
hood to Womanhood. In the rear room
she gathered the most expert needle
women her purse could command, and
all work was done under her direct su-
pervisiCn.
Her delighted clientele said that her
success was founded on this personal
oversight Her doctor said that nerv-
Gus prostration would inevitably result
from her persistent close confinement
to business. Her mother wept in sheer
loneliness at first and later drifted
from their tiny apartment back into
the old bridge playing novel reading
circle of gray haired friends. And
what Henry Dalton said is not for
repetition here, for, having no nieces
or nephews, how could he offer a de-
cent excuse for. haunting a layette
trice to be fOund-saye the cruelty few
hours when outraged nature demanded
rest and refreshment.
And now today, with Henry Dalton
thrust into the dim background of the
life when her mother made all things
lovely for her well shod feet to walk
upon, she was standing before her
chcyal mirror preparing for return
just a brief return glimpse-to the old
life.
Her mother had wept to some pur-
pose. The doctor had said certain
sharp things that were more effective
than maternal tears, and so Beatrice
h,l M fhe,S
warm invitation to spend the week end
and perhaps q few days more at their
lodge in the Catskills.
Beatrice surveyed with critical eye
her Smarjly tailored travelling suit and
then cast a smiling glance at the suit
product of her own workroom. 1t
would be good to lie abed mornings
and drink her chocolate in a love of a
matinee like that. And she should
read a couple Of new books and wear
the white crepe de chine, newly made
over for the trip, to dinner. Old times
yes, she was strong enough now to
stand an occasional dip back into old
times
Beatrice, here's a G. o. D. parcel
from Mas0n's. picked up a love of a
waist for $13.75. Have you any mon
ey?"
Beatrice readjusted her veil to a
more fetching angle and murmured as
well as the pins in her mouth would
permit:
Yes, motheP there's a roll of bills
IN my bag. the large pocket. Take
what YOU think will last you until l
come back"
An hour later Beatrice leaned back
luXuriously in the parlor car, her un-
seeing eyes fixed on the Hudson pano-
rama. 1t was good-just to do nothing.
And when the call for luncheon came
she felt hungry-and smiled. The doc
tor had said a change was all she need
ed, and here she was hungry already
1or the first time in weeks.
The obsequious darky in charge of
her table gave her the perfection of
service, with one eye perhaps on the
beautiful pigskin hand bag that rested
against the window That bag had
oeen one Of Dalton's gifts, and at that
i very moment the giver himself was
sittlng at table behind Beatrice,
watching her every move with hungry
eyes. He knew that she was going to
the DE Haven Smith lodge. Mrs. Smith
nao boldly held this out as bait in his
invitation, but somehow he felt that
Tue psychological moment for making