El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-06-24

1
Robert Maynard. Beatrice slept
l. poorly. During the evening she
had been able to put from her
thoughts the finale to the events OF
mind sank to rest with her weary
body the sub-cOnsciOus mind began to
work, and in her dreams she saw the
set, white face of the angry man and
heard the hiss of the lash as it descend
ed upon the quivering and frightened
horse.
She awoke with q gasp, thinking
it had been all q dream; then remem-
bered the disagreeable episode and teil
asleep at last only to dream OF II
again.
She arose the following morning
weary and heavy-eyed. She was dis
appointed in the man whom she had
begun to regard with more than Orol-
nary warmth, of feeling. His lack OF
Self-contrOl was more OdiOus to her
because it reminded her Of Toms occa-
sional ebullitions of temper under the
influence of liquor, and the remem-
brance added to her discomfort Not
twice, she declared, would a sane wo-
man give her happiness into the keep
ing of a drinking man.
Yet, even while she made this men
tai statement, came creeping into her
brain the question-was Robert May
nard really what could be called
drinking man? He did not look it.
for his ewes and skin were clear, his
manner alert and yet calm, his hand
and voice steady, Although she had
seen him drink glass of wine at
Helen RObbins's dinner, and a hignbaIl
at the after theater supper, he had tax
en- no more than did any other man
present at either time. Perhaps, she
unused, he only drank when with some
boon companions like Rossiter, but,
even so, a wife would never know
when her husband might meet such
companion, and she would always be
dreading it. No, man who could so
far forget himself was not the kind
of a man for her to consider as a
possible husbnd.
He sends No Word.
Several days passed without any
word from Maynard Beatrice had
fancied that perhaps he would send
her a note of apology, or some flowers,
or some token OF repentance She
had even pondered in her mind es 2
whether to receive such advances with
cold diSapproval or with plying Tor
giveness. She was piqued to find Meth
er course necessary, and this shoulder
ing resentment against Maynard added
warmth to her welcome to Henry
Blanchard when he called on the fourth
evening after her experience with
Maynard 'Unice Henry" had sent her
no word of his return from his bus
mess trip, and she was secretly bit
amused to note that he took 1t for
granted that she would be at home and
diSengaged. But he, at all events, she
reflected, was a nice, honest hearted
sober man. Her displeasure with the
widower made her feel more kindly
toward the old bachelor and her How
good it is too see You again. was so
cordial that Blanchard decided that she
was an unusually attractive and de-
lightful woman.
I thought you might not mind
seeing me-" he admitted with graft
fled smile. 4 just got back from Bos-
ton this afternoon. ran in to see
Helen right after dinner, but told her
I had a call to make and could not
stay. She asked me where 1 was
calling, but 1 pretended not to hear
her and to be absorbed in discussing
the political situation with her hus'
band. Then I came away before she
had a chance to ask me again. She's
a good old girl, but bit inquisitive at
That's because she's so fond of
you said Beatrice. m sure II l
had as nice an uncle as you would
like to know about him and his al
Il always fancy she's just a little
Jealous" said Blanchard. would
not say so to most people, but feel
that you're to be trusted-so 1 &C
knowledge that I think often that Hell
en- would rather I didn't go to see any
of the ladies' Perhaps''-with chuck
le-"she's afraid 1 might, even at my
age, get into my head the notion OF
marrying and setting up an establish
ment of my own
The speech was made apparently IN |
fun, and Beatrice was annoyed to teeI
herself blushing consciously. she |
spoke hastily and at random.
We'll, and if you did; / suppose that |
is your own business, isn't it, she 4
queried.
Again her companion chuckled-
More Embarrassment.
That's about the way 1t looks 10 /
me- he agreed. But 1 suppose Helen |
thinks it would be very foolish for an
old codger like me to marry-for she
considers me really old"
But you're notr' declared Beatrice,
eagerly You seem to me to be Just
in the prime of life"
To hide her embarrassment she had |
spoken without thought. and her COM
panion looked at her happily.
Then you really think" he said with
age has right to ask a young woman
to consider seriously the subject OF
to him.?
But Beatrice was not obliged to reply
to this leading question, for, to her re-
lief, the telephone bell rang sharply |
and she FASTENED into the hall in ODE
dience to its sumOns. She was amused |
to hear Helen's voice.
Beatrice, dear" she said. I have
not heard from you for some days, !
and I am just calling up to know il
you are well and what you are doing
with yourself"
Beatrice was aware that her friends !
seeming solicitude was the result Of
her suspicious as to where her bache-
or relative was spending his evening.
and her desire to assure herself that he
was not in the presence of the attract
i've widow. So Beatrice talked rapidly