Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-07-08
In lief Moment of
Weakness.
BY cEClLY ALLEN.
Copyrighted. 1908. by Associated
Literary Press.

II don't believe Beatrice ever had a
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 negigees.
And the tone in which he spoke was
not entirely complimentary. In fact.
distinct note of personal injury rang
through it, for how can a man assume
an attitude of protective chvalry to-
ward II girl entirely capable of doing
for herself?
BeatriGs never dropped her fan or
her handkerchief. nor came into the
dra wing room with her glove unbut-
toned. por 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
ing If not feminine. She wore the
softest and most clinglng 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 rutfiy and fluffy. but she never
tore her ruffies and then asked for a
pin to make repairs.
And II all these things she was be-
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 well nigh invulnerabl
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 matrous
| 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
| al Woih WdS uOuc uuuCi uCb uittt gu
| pervision.
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 q layette
shop? And only at her shop was Bea-
trice to be found-save 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
cheval mirror preparing for return
4 just 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
| had accepted the De Haven Smiths
warm invitation to spend the week end
and perhaps a few days more at their
lodge in the Catskils.
| fvir yxith critical
her smartly tailored travelling suit and
then cast a smiling glance at the suit
case where rested delightful matinee,
product of her own workroom. 1t
would be good to lie abed mornings
and drink her chocolate in 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 C. o. d. parcel
| from Mason's. picked up love of Il
waist for S13.75. Have you any mon
ey?"
| Fbtdtlltt ttduJtstCd NNh W ="
more fetching angle and murmured as
| well as the pins In her mouth would
permit:
Yes, mother, there's roll Of bills
in my bag. the large pocket. Take
| what you think will last You until
| come back"
| An hour later Beatrice leaned back
| luxuriously in the parlor car, her I'M
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 change was all she need
| ed. and here she was hungry already
| for the first time in weeks.
| The obsequious darby in charge or
her table gave her the perfection or
service. with one eye perhaps on the
beautiful pigskin hand bag that rested