Atlanta Georgian., 1912-07-02

~ her unexpected guest, Beatrice
set down her cup and flashed a
startled glance at Helen. Mrs. Robbins
was a trife disconnected and flushed,
but Beatrice thought that an express
sion of triumphant self righteousness
fiickered around her lips as she raised
her brows in answer to the appeal in
the Widows eyes.
1t Is hard for any of us to bear dis
comf1ture in the presence of an unsym-
pathetic witness Beatrice felt in her
heart that Roberts champion was Sc
cretly enjoying the embarrassing cll-
max to the recent discussion, and
sudden wave of anger swept away the
guilty terror she had felt when Rob
ert's name was mentioned by the maid.
The knowledge that Helen would revel
In her confusion steeled her determi-
nation and cleared her brain. 1t was
with a calm voice and manner that she
said to the waiting servant, SHOW Mr.
Maynard I'M"
Even Helen, with her prejudices, was
forced to admit to herself that Beat
rice's manner was that Of the perfect
hostess as she rose to greet her guest
"a very pleasant surprise!" she eX-
claimed cordially when Maynard en-
tered the drawing room. Helen and
were just talking of you when you were
announced"
"Yes?" queried the man, jestingly as
he turned to greet his fellow guest
Speak of the devil and you're sure to
see him. eh? While l, out in the hall,
was thinking of angels and heard their
voices"
you will have some tea, OF course?"
suggested Beatrice, touching the tiny
Chinese gong on the little table at her
side
None II you please" the man an
| ia ta
what little appetite this first hot wealth
er left me was taken away by that re-
past"
The maid entered, and at a word
from her mistress removed the tea tray
and table, while the trio, settling them
selves in their chairs, chatted lightly OF
impersonal things until the sinking sun
warned Helen that 1t 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 done
much to cool Beatrice's indignation
against him.
He possessed to a 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 that
now as she found herself laughing
spontaneously at his clever nonsense
which was combined with a natural
gayety that was almost childlike. He
rose to his feet as Helen got up to
leave. and announced in spite of her
protests, his intention Of accompanying
her as far as her car. But before he
left he murmured to Beatrice, Tn
coming back-may II" And she smiled
her assent.
she waited until the rumble OF the
| cJo
then hurried into her room, where she
quickly exchanged her easy and rather
homely house slippers for a dainty pair
Of satin pumps, and slipped upon her
wrist a bangle which Robert had ad-
mired the day OF their drive together
II the recollection of this incident
brought the disagreeable ending of the
excursion more clearly to her mind. she
quickly consigned the unsavory mem
ory to obscurity.
He was merely a friend, she insisted
to herself, scarcely more than pleas
ant acquaintance, despite Helen $
match making ideas, and II he was
calling on her in that capacity, it was
her duty as a hostess to make his visit
as pleasant and agreeable as she could.
r. when she looked into the glass, she
saw that her cheeks were more flushed
and her eyes brighter than the advent
Of a chance caller would justify, she
felt only a thrill Of satisfaction at her
appearance and did not attempt 10
analyze her excitement.
Maynard returned sooner than she
had expected and she had scarcely
time to seat herself and open book
as IL she had been reading ever since
his departure before the portieres
parted and he again entered the room.
Il was a long time getting back,
know" he said ruefully But it really
wasn't my fault. Those Internal street
cars never come when one Is in
hurry"
But you weren't gone long" an
swered Beatrice II call that very
short time indeed"
perhaps" he admitted as he drew
up chair. But l was living In an
ticipation, you see. and you we're not"
What an arbitrary way you have
of declaring what ones thoughts have
been" laughed the widow Are you
, always certain of every PERSONS feel
ings?"
mo" he responded slowly and with
out a smile II 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 a very for
tunate person" she forced herself to
say lightly.
q hope to be-" he answered enig-
! matically.
There was a brief silence which the
man was the first to break
Mrs Minor" he said abruptly, as