Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-05-30

do come to see me atter your return.
Indeed I will, my child. Meanwhile
take care of yourself. and think occa-
sionally of this one of your friends"
of course!" replied Beatrice Il
could not help it if ] would"
Was she really flirting with this old
bachelor? Was it sex instinct, or was
it because She did not want to let him
slip through her fingers until she was
sure that she had secured another man
But she did not answer the question.
What was the use of analyzing one $
motives anyway?
She found her little tasks about the
house uninteresting that day. They
bored her and she kept looking for
ward to the evening and what il might
bring She opened her piano and played
over some of the old songs she had for
gotten for several years, singing them
in her clear, sweet voice. and enjoying
the sound Of her own tones. Robert
Maynard had said that he liked parlor
music. and that it was always a joy TO
him to listen to the love songs with
which he had been familiar as young
man OF late Beatrice had neglected
her music There had been nobody
especial to play for and sing 10. Tom
had enjoyed her little talent. and that
had been one of the few subjects on
which they had not quarreled. as he
had always urged her to take lessons
and TO practice After his death the
sound Of the airs he loved had made her
sorry for him in a sentimental way
that brought tears to her eyes. and she
did not like to be sad Therefore the
piano and her songs had been stunned
by her But today It was different, and
she reioiced in the fact that though
out Of practice, she could still sing
She found the piano sadly out of tune,
and hurlying to the telephone. called
for a tuner, who promised 20 come UP at
once
Ready for the Drama.
BY the time she had eaten her din
ner. and seen the children tucked into
bed in was eight o'clock and Beatrice
felt that the stage setting was ready
for the drama Of the evening The visit
had assumed to her mind immense
significance. and when she heard May
nard's ring she was conscious that She
was nervous and short breathed as she
wondered if he would care more or less
for her at the end of a couple of hours
of uninterrupted tete-a-tete He look
ed. she decided handsomer than ever
this evening She had always thought
mis- correct evening dress becoming, a.
is the conventions dress suit TO the
man who has a distinguished bearing,
although it seems to commonlze the
boor. ] have known of cases in which a
woman never discovered that man
was handsome until she saw him in his
evening clothes. Beatrice was glad that
she had worn pretty and dainty frock
a pale violet. because she remembered
that Robert had expressed admiration
for that particular color.
1T is a strange coincidence" he said
denghtedlv. that you should be wear
ing tonight Just that shade Of soft pur
pie. for as passed Thorley's l saw a
bunch of vioets that were simply
screaming to be brought to you, and
they will blend beautifully with your
gown"
Il wore It because / knew you liked
this color" murmured Beatrice, as she
removed the wrappings from the SUI
perb bunch of sweet blossoms "Ah,
as she inhaled their fragrance, how
delicious And they are my favorite
flowers"
Il know it," was the grave response,
and as Reatrice raised her ewes she saw
a tenderness in the gaze fixed upon her
that made her flush hotly and she be
gan talking rapidly of Indifferent top
les She did not wish her good times
spoiled by an untimely declaration of
affection nor did she care to be obliged
to give a decided yes or no" until
she knew her own mind and just what
she wanted
The evening slipped away quickly
# was fun of thrills Of gratified vanity
for Beatrice, as Maynard was one Of
the men who know how to say pretty
things to women. and his admiration
for his hostess was sincere 1t was like
lovely dream to the widow She
sang in way that surprised herself
While Robert seemed to enjoy her and
her music even more than she had eX
pected him to do. Before he left he
told her that he would like to take her
for drive the next day
Il keep a fast horse and trap" he
said They are my one personal ex
travagance"
And Beatrice. oonceahns her joyous
excitement promised demurely to g
With him at o'clock the next after