El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-24
The Husband Question
Widow Is DispEeased at letter From
Aged SuEtOr and at Doctors
NOnarrfVaI.
BY virginia Terhune Van de Water

= ATE in the afternoon Beatrice was
awakened from her nap by the
- sound of wheels on the gravel
under her window and a minute later
the sound of Helen Robbins's voice was
borne to the patients ears.
mo, Mary the caller said. I'm not
coming in The doctor insists that Mrs
Minor shall not see anybody, so I've
just come to bring her little jelly and
office. How is she feeling noW?"
7 think she's asleep mas am re-
piled the maid. 1T was kind Of you to
blanchard writes.
1t was almost dusk in the shaded
room and Mary lighted the lamp by
the bedside before leaving her mistress
alone with her mail One letter was
addressed in Henry Blanchard's spraw-
+ am sorry not to have heard from
you" the note ran. 1T is hard for a
man to be away frSm all that he cares
most for, and only receive news OF ner
second hand I hope you are getting
more pleasure from the society Of Paul
Maynard than it gave me to hear about
your intimacy with him. / do not like
the man, and were I so happy as to
have the right to dictate to you,
with him. You are in my mind con
Stantly, and I am looking forward Gag
erly to your promised talk with me
upon my return now hope to come
back several days earlier than / Origt-
nally planned, and I shall come imme-
diately to you for your verdict Do
not let present pleasures drive from
your mind all thought Of the man
whose one thought is to make you
happy. I could give you all that
woman should expect, my dear Think
OF me often and as kindly as you can.
~ ours 7evotedly,
Henry Blanchard"
The perusaI Of this letter was not
soothing to the nervous woman to
whom it was sent Since the growth
nard she had thought little of Henry
Blanchard as possible husband and
his epistle opened an uncomfortable
line of meditation Il shall simply
have to tell him at once that cannot
marry him. she sighed, YEARLY. And Z
then there will be a scene. Oh, deari
as If illness wasn't enough without all
DistastefuI Thought.
zone would think from the way he
ertyi" she muttered, rebeIliously. I'm
not a baby, and I'm not a fool
Her indignation made her forget for
a time her physical malease, and she
called out a cheerful, if somewhat
hOarse, good night" to the children as
they passed her door on their way to
II hope you'll be all right tomor-
row, mother" remarked Jack. Il want
you to get wei enough to see Mr. May
nard, SOS he'll bring up his car, and
then perhaps he'll take me for that
ride he promised me. Grown people
sometimes forget promises, you know
sorry, you're sick, muvver."
comes to see you, for ven see him too.
He kissed me Wis morning wight on
"Did he. dear?' asked Beatrice.
amused and surprised.
Yes, muvver. He said Jack an me
sore froat. an Ven he said. I FINK ri
kiss you myself, since muvver can't"
When is We doctor comm again. /
"Oh, later, PERHAPS" replied the
mother She would not tell the child !
tnat she expected the physician that |
night lest IN her eagerness to see him /
the child should try to remain awake !
until his arrival
Her indignation at Henry Blanchard
or the diversion Of her chat with her
small son and daughter had done
putting her small charges to bed, Mary I
brought up a saucer of Mrs RObbins's
Jelly to the sick room, the patient ate
II with enjoyment Then, when the I
maid rearranged her pillows she set
tied herself comfortably 10 await the /
promised call from the doctor.
The telephone bell rang sharply. and 4
Mary hurried along the hall to answer /
It From her replies the widow knew 4
at once that the speaker at the other 1
END OF the wire was Dr. Haynes. and |
that he was asking about her. She I
heard Mary say that the patient was I
much more comfortable, then assure 4
the physician that Mrs. Minor would /
stay in bed until he came tomorrow"
After which she came to her mistress's
room to report the conversation The
DOCTOR mad said that, since the patient /
was comparatively comfortable he
would not call this evening. little i
pang OF disappointment stabbed Bea-
trice.
Wen" she affirmed. "since he
thinks me so well I shall get Up in |
the morning If feel like it.
After which declaration Of independ-
ence the patient took her medicine.
babe the maid to put out the light and 1
open the window, and composed her