El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-25

"TIATEVER Qualms of con-
AA/ science might have later as
Wv sailed Beatrice Minor. had
she given herself time TO think seri-
ousIy of her abrupt dismissal Of Henry
Blanchard, were effect1ally banished
from her mind by the ringing Of the
telephone and the sound Of Paul May
nard's voice in CHEEKY greeting as she
replied to the summons. She felt her
face flush with pleasure as he spoke
is it actually and truly yOug he
demanded. 4 haven't had news OF you
for over p hours
1T is actually and truly T." she de-
clared. although. to speak Irankly, II
doesn't feel much like the me OF yes
You are really better then?" ne
Indeed, yes.'' she assured him,
pleased at his evident sOlicitude;
I'll tell you why I ask especially,
he explained. They're giving dance
up here at the Cedar Cliff a week from
tomorrow night. and want 10 regis
ter my claim early TO be your escort
May bring you-that is if you viii be
well enough TO come?
"Of course I'll be well enough,
promised the widow, and accept JOY
fully. But let me warn you that you
are taking a great risk. for I haven't
danced for nearly three years ana snalI
be terribly awkward
THAT doesn't brighten me-" he re-
Joined. "GOOdby, and thank you
snail spend the rest OF the NttH > " Ee1A
ing at my calendar for not making the
! days pass more swiftly
Beatrice smiled happily as she hung
up the receiver. She had for the time
FORGOTTEN all about Blanchard, and she
hummed an old waltz tune to herself
as she swayed back and forth in her
little wicker rocking chair. II was
good to be alive after all.
Luncheon over she recalled her prom
Use to Helen to let her know, If she
and her brother could call on her this
afternoon She therefore telephOned
her friend that she would be glad TO
7 am feeling very WELL she ex-
preston that has tOrmented me for
the last week has, gone and am
''WeIi, your depression seems to have
come down to our house, complained
her friend petuiantly- Uncle henry IS
| absolutely savage today. He says he
is going back to the city tonight I'm
I agine any ones wanting to go and
| stay in the city in this heat"
Il cant help it." Beatrice said aloud
I to herself as she left the telephone. 4
never told him that would marry
Yet she began again to feel uncom-
Portable about the Blanchard affair
not so much from pity for her aged
might, in his anger, blurt out the truth
to Helen. The widow had arrived at an
! appreciation of her friends love for,
and care of, her in the days Of her i'll
ness. The vague possibility that Blan-
Cnar0 might tell Helen LudL 6edLE4C6
had encouraged him only to discard
him wrought upon her mind until she
felt guilty and embarrassed as she
saw Helen and Keith Lacy coming up
the walk to the bungalow. She was.
however, relieved when Helen kissed
her.
In a few minutes Mary brought out
the prettily arranged tea table and
set it before her mistress.
by the way, Beatrice dear" asked
Helen irrelevantly, did Uncle Henry
go without telling you goodbye"
IF he has gone, he certainly did.
replied the widow calmly. Has he
left2'
"Oh, yes" answered her friend plain
lively. He has gone with the most
! dreadful case of bad temper you ever
saw. He doesn't know where he is
going or when he is coming back All
he wants is to get away from this
internal place So ne told me in part
ing, and he put it even a little bit
stronger, too"
'That is too bad remarked the
widow. calmly pouring the tea. How
much sugar Mr.. Lacy2"
Helen Robbins glanced sharply at
her hostess. She knew that tone of
studied Indifference, and it made her
suspicious. Was it possible that there
uncle and her friend2 But the widow
was the picture of innocent unconcern
as she chatted lightly with Lacy, and
Mrs. Robbins dismissed the idea from
her mind.