Omaha daily bee., 1912-06-03

When the quartet reached the street
a gentle rain had begun to fall. Beatrice
uttered low exclamation of consterna.
ton. remembering her dainty toilette
then checked herself. It would not do foI
her to behave as II she were afraid Of
spelling her costume, new this spring fol
that might suggest to her admirer the
idea that she did not have many other
such gowns. Every woman likes pos.
sible suitor to think that even in the
spelling her costume, new this spring, for
working hours, she Is well dressed and
appears as faultless in attire as when
she is with him in public But Robert
Maynard had not been married man for
seven years before he became a widower
without learning a woman's thoughts and
fears about her clothes and he was quick
to suggest a taxicab.
1.-THE ladies' gowns will be ruined" he
said to George Minor
George, with his loving wife upon his
arm, was less considerate than the
widower.
Nonsense! Hslen and have been out
in all kinds of weather and it has not
hurt her yet! Moreover. we can take a
crosstown car right here. transfer to an
uptown car, and 60 within three doors
of our house. It is not raining hard, any,
way" - ...., ...-
Nevertheless" declared Robert, ebsti-
nately, II am going to take cab and
will see the ladies safely home.'
But in this Helen came out boldly in
what seemed to be assent to her hus-
bands verdict, but was really further
ance of her own matchmaking schemes.
''I wish you would take taxi. Mr..
Maynard" she exclaimed. 'Beatrice's
light dress will spot dreadfully with the
rain. This dark one Of mine won't be
hurt. and. as George has said, we can
go home in the car without any exposure,
but Beatrice lives off the car line"
Here Beatrice entered gentle protest.
Indeed, 1t win not hurt me to go In
The car, too." she began. but Robert
checked her.
'There is no use in argument" he said
gently, but firmly, 'for I am going to
take you home in taxi, since"-with a
bow to Helen-''our hostess grants me her
permission to do So"
"You are doing me favor in looking
after our dear girl" urged Helen Call
people get off before it rains any harder.
We old ones are going to trot right off
now for our car"
Eve have had a lovely evening" said
Beatrice, kissing her friend, "and thank
you for It,"
$50 do t. began Robert, but as the
crosstown car appeared at this juncture,
George hurried his wife away and on
beard of 1t. calling back an apology for
their hasty departure.
Robert summoned the cab. placing
Beatrice in 1t. and seated himself by her.
after giving the driver the address Of her
home and telling him to drive uptown
through Central park.
"You don't mind, do your he asked of
the woman beside him. ''It is much
quieter in the park than in the street,
although the route is longer. But there
is really no great hurry is there?'
Beatrice reflected how good 1t was to
be in a position where one did not
care how fast the indicator hand went
around nor how many dollars 1t tioked
off, When she hired taxi for herself
she wondered IL she would not get eye
strain before her destination was reached
from staring fesrfully ahead Of her at
II am in no hurry" she said leaning
back comfortably although I do feel
like naughty child staying out as late
as this. Fortunately my dear little boy
and girl are fast asleep and could not
know whether got home at ten or two"
soTell me tbout then1,' said Robert.
"How old are they?"
Beatrice was glad to talk Of the chill
dren and to give him the desired par
ticulars about them, saying that Jean
was five and Jack seven, and going into
many details of their bright and win
ming ways as is the manner Of devoted
mothers. It is doubtful If her listener
appreciated much that she told him.
although he laughed appreciatively at
the right times. He was watching her
animated face in the dim light, and find
ing hers very charming personality. At
last she became conscious of his gaze
and checked her talk abruptly.
81 must bore you!" she exclaimed |
auologetically. II never thought now
much was talking about two little |
neople whom you have never seen and |
Of whom you have never heard until |