El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-08-23
THE HUSBAND QUESTION
.ARLY in the afternoon the door
The Widow Apologies Physician Hysteria
He Is "Nce"
By VIRGINIA TERHUNE VAN DE WATER.

~ ARLY in the afternoon the door
=, bell rang. Beatrice rose to answer
it, then sat down again. She
remembered that it was probably the
doctor. and, with her last nights be-
havier stiu mortifyIngly fresh N her
mind, she hesitated at greeting him
upon his arrival. Shehear dthe maid
open the door, and her heart quickened
its beating as footsteps came along
the hall to her room.
Letters for you, ma'am, said Mary.
Beatrice held out her hand with an
indifference that frightened into eX-
element as she recognized Henry
velope and Helen Robbins's upon the
other.
She opened her suitor's letter first
Dear. dear lady" she read.
your not came to me this
morning in the heat of a busi-
ness climax and made me ne
Sleet sordid matters for a few
moments in thoughts for you
am glad that you are think
ing seriously before giving me
your answer, but I am still
happier in the hint you give
me of your personal feeling
toward me. shall await your
final decision no less patient
". If more eagerly, since you
have granted me a little hope.
I could make you happy,
Lnlnk-Wnlcn WOulQ. at pest
be but poor payment for the
joy you would give me in be-
coming my wife.
Even more your friend be-
cause I am now your lover,
Henry Blanchard"
How dear he can be- murmured
Beatrice to herself as she opened the
other envelope This letter was truly
feline
Beatrice Darling
Before We came out TO the
country you spoke of leaving
the city yourself very soon.
Have you decided on a place
to go2 If not, I think there
is a cottage out here you could
take. or if you prefer. there
is a good boarding place near
US. II you are interested, let
me konW and I will send you
particulars The society here
is delightful. and the men are
many, and young and unat-
eached-except for poor old,
stupid uncle Henry. who comes
out here often but he doesn't
count He is aging rapidly I
fear, and is becoming more
ouerulous and parsimonious
every day. The woman he
never married is lucky to have
escaped himl His niece speaks
from knowledge Of him and his
ways.
Mr. Randolph wrote me Of
your kindness to him. Did you
turn his head or he yours?
have never thought him man
adapted to plantonic friendship
and I know him to be singular
" unimpressed by most women.
Tell me about him when you
write Love to you all Uncle
Henry speaks Of you often. I
think he regards you as a sort
of granddaughter. As ever,
Helen"
Little catw said Beatrice viciously,
and straishtway began to plan reply
which should excel in seemingly affec-
ticnate virulence that of her correspond
snt. Some men are OF a canine nature.
They groWl and then bite. But there
are women who purr and scratch, and
then purr again
Beatrice was still occupying her
thoughts with the outline of an epistle
to her dearest foe when DR.. HAYNES
entered the room unannounced and with
the air of one who was an habitue of
the house
He came in softly-a big. gray
haired, gray-eyed man, with a strong
chin and an obstinate. yet kind, mouth
The widows manner was unruffled and
her voice steady as she babe him a po-
lite good morning
How is our patient today?" asked
the physician, as he laid hat and medi-
cine grip on the table and turned to the
stun bering child.
''She seems a little more comfort
able" said Beatrice. But her tempera-
ture is still high. and she complains of
her head whenever she is awake-al-
though she sleeps much Of the time
Then, as the man made no reply. but