Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-05-30
BY VIRGINIA 7. VAN DE WATER.

do come to see me after your return
Indeed l 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
il 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 ones
motives anyway?
She found her little tasks about the
house undressing that day They
bored her, and she kept looking for
ward to the evening and what it 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 paror
music, and that it was always a joy to
him TO listen to the love songs with
which he had been familiar as a young
man. OF late Beatrice had neglected
her music. There had been nobody
especial to play for and sing to. 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
70 ),
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 rejoiced in the fact that. though
out of practice, she could still sing
She found the piano sadly out of tune,
and hurrying to the telephone called
for a tuner, who promised to come up al
once
Ready for the Drama.
BY the time she had eaten her din
ner, and seen the children tucked into
bed. it 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
nards 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, as
is the conventional dress suit to the
man who has distinguished bearing,
although it seems to commonize the
boor I have known of cases in which
woman never discovered that man
was handsome until she saw him in his
evening clothes. Beatrice was glad that
she had worn a pretty and dainty frock
a pale violet. because she remembered
that Robert had expressed admiration
for that particular color.
1T is strange coincidence" he said
delightedly. that you should be wear
ing tonight Just that shade Of soft pur-
pie. for as | passed Thorley's l saw a
bunch of violets that were simply
screaming to be brought to you, and
they will blend beautifully with your
gown"
Il wore it because l knew you liked
this color" murmured Beatrice, as she
removed the wrappings from the su-
perb bunch of sweet blossoms All
as she inhaled their fragrance, how
delicous And they are my favorite
flowers"
Il know it," was the grave response,
and as Beatrice raised her eyes she saw
a tenderness in the gaze fixed upon her
that made her flush holly. and she be
gan talking rapidly of Indifferent top
les She did not wish her good times
spoiled by an untmely 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
1t was full of thrills of gratihed 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. It was like
a lovely dream to the widow She
sang in a 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
81 keep a fast horse and trap" he
said. They are my .one personal eX
travagance"
And Beatrice. concealing her joyous
excitement promised depurely to go
"a tb him OF 2 o'clock the nevt after