Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-06-12

afternoons in late May and early
4 June can be The world was all
me 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 go
afoot but delightful to the pair seated
in the stylish trap behind the sleek,
swift trotter The day had been worth
waiting for thought the widow and
widower as they turned into the park
AT Eighty-ffth street and drove north
along the reservoir. dark blue in the
afternoon sun.
oh the beautiful beautiful day!
Beatrice exclaimed impulsively, then bit
her lips as she appreciated what com
monpiace and I'M original remark she
had uttered
But Maynard was satisfied with it.
Yes" he replied, gaily, at 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 throb to her heart.
Yet she laughed with affected lightness.
What an egotistical thing man is
she retorted. y suppose that each per
son driving there"-nodding toward the
line of motors and fashionable equip
ages rolling by on their left-"is think
ing the same thing.
Perhaps so. dear lady Robert re-
marked with a deprecatory smile. but
only one of them is driving with YOU
and I claim the day as mine by right
of the greatest happiness"
Again Beatrice's 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 blooded horse was
perfect He was one of the men who
can manage a horse. and yet pay at
tention to the companion who sits by
him
Many men have way Of talking so
much to the four footed animal that
they have little to say to the biped
who happens to be present. This 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 to for
geD, he seemed to think little about it,
But the woman knew that he was al
ways watchful and ready for 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
smoothly around the great square Of
water and turned south toward the Mu
scum Of Art
Spring and a Hint of Summer.
Spring was In the air and summer
near. The warm sunlight, the young
deIcately tinted leaves, the merry
shouts of children romping on the
green turf all proclaimed it. and the
flush on Beatrices cheeks became more
frequent and her laugh more ready
under the influence of the day and her
companions presence Tennyson has
attributed certain emotions to young
men in the springtime, but the senti-
neDl IS pIODdDly QulNS dS uellS lltui "
those whose first youth is past and
who are anticipating a second summer
Of life. Beatrice. in her girlhood, had
never been more attractive than now
when, taking full advantage Of the per
feet stage setting in which she found
herself. she chatted sparldinglY. know
ing that she was fascinating an eligt-
BILE and attractive man.
1t 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 the ease of the
born coquette. And Helen would GER
tainly have had difficulty in reconci-
ing the grief tinged bearing of her
dead friends husband with the ooyish
whole souled abandon of the dashing
gallant, driving the horse which had
been the property Of his dead wife. Yet
each of the actors in this little drama Of
two was conscious Of playing a part
and the woman noticed with satisfac-
ton the contrast between her escorts
department upon this occasion and his
behavior in the presence of a larger
audience