El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-06-13

" HE afternoon was as perfect as
afternoons in late May and early
June can be. The world was all
the more lovely for the three days Of
rain against which Beatrice had re-
beIled The sunshine was, perhaps, a
little warm for those obliged TO so
afoot, but delightful 10 the pair seated
in the stylish trap behind the sleek.
swift trotter. The day had been worth
waiting for. thought the widow, and
widowe- as they turned into the park
at S5th street and drove north along
the reservoir, dark blue in the after
noon sun
..Oh, the beautiful. beautiful day"
Beatrice exclaimed impulsiVely, then
bit her lips as she appreciated what
commonplace and unoriginal remark
she had uttered.
But Maynard was satisfied with it
Yes" he replied gaily, 1t was made
for you and me, I think"
The words were uttered lightly
enough, but there was something IN
his voice that brought the color. to the
woman's face and a thrOb TO her heart
Yet she laughed with affected light
ness.
What an egotisticaI thing man IS"
she retOrted. 4 suppose that each
person driving there''-nodding to-
able eQulpageS rolling by on their leLt
lis thinking the same thing"
Perhaps so, dear lady Robert re-
marked with a deprecatOry smile, but
only one of them is driving with you,
and 1 claim the day as mine by right
Of the greatest happiness
Again Beatrices heart gave that
happy leap with which she was becom-
ing familiar, but this time she made
no reply.
Maynard was an excellent driver, and
his control over the blQpded horse was
perfect. He was one 81 the men who
can manage a horse and yet pay at
tention to the companion VINO sits oy
him
Many men have a way OF talking so
much to the four footed animal that
they have little to say to the biped
who happens to be present rms was
not the case with Robert, and, beyond
the fact that he mentioned that the
horse he drove had belonged to his
wife Can item that Beatrice wished 10
fOrget), he seemed to think little about
it. But the woman knew that ne was
always watchful and ready Tor any
chance fright or sudden shying which
might startle her. She felt exhilarated
by the rapid driving, yet perfectly safe
with the skilled driver who talked
brightly and amusingly as they sped
smoothly around the great square OF
water and turned south toward the
Museum Of Art.
Spring and a Hint OF Simmer.
Spring was in the air and summer
near The warm sunlight, the merry
shouts of children rOmping on the
green turf. all proclaimed it, and the
flush on Beatrice's cheeks became
more frequent and her laugh more
ready under the influence Of the day
and her companions presence. Tenny-
son has attributed certain emotions to
young men in the springtime, but the
sentiment is probably quite as delight
full to those whose first youth is past
adm who are anticipating a second
summer Of life. Beatrice, in her girl
hood, had never been more attractive
than now, when, taking full advantage
OF the perfect stage setting in which
she found herself she chatted spark
lingly, knowing that she was fascinat-
ing an eligible and attractive man.
It is doubtful If Helen Robbins
would have seen any trace of the
sometimes discouraged and depressed
Beatrice in the blushing. eager girl,
who managed her conversation with
tn cease of born coquette. And
Helen would certainly have had dif-
ficultv in recOnciIng the grief tlnseo
bearing OF her dead friends husband
with the boyish, whole sOuled aban-
don of the dashing gallant, driving
the horse which had been the property
Of mis- dead wife. Yet each Of the ac-
tors in this little drama Of two was
conscious OF playing a part, and the
woman noticed with satisfaction the
contrast between her escorts deport-
ment upon this occasion and his be-
havior in the presence of a large audi
ence.
Beatrice's tailored gown was OF
white serge, with black collar. cuffs
and revers. Her expenses had been
heavy of late, and she had debated, as
Tn1 E.ah