Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-07-02

u r the maids announcement OF
~ her unexpected guest Beatrice
set down her cup and flashed d
startled glance at Helen. Mrs Robbins
was a trife Disconnected and flushed
but Beatrice thought that an express
sion of triumphant self righteousness
ffickered around her Hips s she raised
her broWs in answer to the appea IN
the WIDOWS eyes.
1t is hard for any Of US to bear ais
comfture in the presence of an unsym-
pathetic witness Beatrice felt in ner
heart that Roberts champion was Sc
cretly enjoying the embar asstng ell
max to the recent discussion, and q
sudden wave of anger swept away the
guilty terror she had felt when Rob-
crts name was mentioned by the maid.
| The knowledge that Helen would reVel
! in her confusion steeled her determl-
nation and cleared her brain. 1t was
with a calm voice and nanner that sne
said to the waiting servant, Snow MI.
Maynard in"
Even Helen, with her preiudices, was
! forced TO admit to herself that Beat
! rices manner was thar Of the perfect
! hostess as she rose to greet her guest.
"A very pleasant surp ise! she eX-
| claimed cordially when Maynard en-
! tered the drawing room Helen and |
/
announced"
Yes" queried the man. jestingly, as
! he turned to greet his fellow gueat.
Speak of the devil and you're sure to
see him. Ell? While l. out In the hall
was thinking of angels and heard their
voices
You win have some tea. Of course? -
suggested Beatrice. touching the tiny
Chinese gong on the little table at her
side
None if YOU please" the man an
swered MY lunch was late today, and
what little appetite this first hot wealth
er left me was taken away by that re-
past"
The maid entered. and at word
from her mistress removed the tea tray
and table. While the T. 10. settling them
selves in their chairs. chatted lightly OF
linpersonal things until the sinking sun
warned Helen that ii was time for her
to leave. Yet. incredible as it may
seem to one who is not an impression
able woman, in that quarter of an hour
Robert Maynard's manner had Gone
much to cool BeatriCe's Indignation
against him
He possessed to great degree that
wholly indefinite something which We
call magnetism Weeks ago Beatrice
had heard Helen say that one could be
angry at Robert Maynard, but never
angry with him. She remembered tha1
now az she found herself laughing
spontaneously at his clever nonsense
which was combined with natura
gayety that was almost childlike. Ht
rose to his feet as Helen got up t.
leave and announced in spite of he
protests his intention Of accompanTins
her as far rs her car But before M
left he murmured to Beatrice. n
coming back-may 70 And she smiled
| her assent
She waited until the rumble Of tn
elevator signaUed their descent. anc
then hurried into her room whore sh
quickly exchanged her easy and rathe
homev house slippers for dainty pal
of satin pumps and slipped upon ne
wrist bangle which Robert had ad
mired the day Of their drive together
If the recollection of this .inciden
brought the disagreeab bic ending Of TIN
excursion more clearly to her mind sh,
quickly consigned the unsavory. mem
DRY to obscurity.
He was merely a friend she insste'
to herself scarcely more than pleas
ant acquaintance, despite Helen
match making ideas, and If he wa
calling on her in that capacity. 1t wa
her duty as hostess to make his visi
as pleasant and agreeable Is she could
If. when she looked into the glass, sh'
saw that her cheeks were more flushed
and her eyes brighter than the adven
of chance caller would Justify. sht
felt only a thrill of satisfaction at he
appearance and did not attempt e
analyze her excitement.
Maynard returned sooner than sh'
had expected and she had scarcely
time to seat herself and open a bool
as n she had been reading ever since
his departure before the portiere
parted and he again entered the room
81 was a long time getting back.
know" he said ruefully. But it really
wasn't my fault Those internal stree
cars never come when one is in Z
hurry"
But you weren't gone long" an
swered Beatrice Il cali that a very
short time indeed
Perhaps" he admitted as he drew
up a chair. But ] was living In an
ticipation, you see. and you were not
what an arbitrary way you have
OF declaring what ones thoughts have
been" laughed the widow Are yot
always certain of every persons feel
ings?"
No he responded slowly and with
out a smile 81 am only sure OF my
own
His tone held a significance which
his words did not warrant. and Bea
trice flushed under his steady gaze.
Even at that YOU are very for
tunate person" she forced herself t.
say lightly
Il hope to be" he answered enig
> matically.
There was a brief silence which tn,
man was the first to break
Mrs Minor" he said abruptly. al