Omaha daily bee., 1912-05-30
by virginia Terhune Van De Water.

by Virginia Terhune Van De Water.
The day after Beatrice's call upon Mrs.
Robbins she wrote that lady a letter
break her previous engagement for the
following Wednesday evening, and would
: be glad TO accept Mrs. Robbins delight
iul invitation for that night. The epIstle
brought note In reply from Helen
saying that she was overjoyed at the
prospect of seeing Beatrice at her dinner.
II am glad" she wrote. that you
succeeded in extricating yourself from
the other engagement you mentioned I
know. dear. that / vexed you when you
were at my house by speaking as did
OF Robert Maynard. but did not under
stand that you felt as you do. Ny Tx
ing for him must be my excuse for for
getting that you might not like him. For
give me. and believe that l will try to
make matters more pleasant for you the
next time you come to my home
The note puzzled the recipient What
did Helen mean by saying that she dil
not understand how her friend felt7
Did she suspect that Beatrice had re-
sented her matchmaking propensitles?
Well, never mind-there was no use N
wonderingi One thing was certaln-Helen
was giving q dinner at which she had
promised TO have Beatrice the guest OF
honor. and had said that Robert May.
nard was to sit next to her. At first
annoyed, Now she was glad that the ar
rangement had been made. for she
acknowledged to herself that Mr.. May
nard was an unusually good-looking man
and had seemed well worth while. II was
a pity he was a widower, and yet, rs
Helen had said such often made very
good husbands to their second wives.
She checked her thoughts abruptly
Was she considering this man as a pos
sible husband after meeting him only
once. and before she had really laid aslds
her mourning for Tom7
This was. however one Of the occs-
ssons upon which she might indulge
the love for dress. 1t was SO long since
she had been TO a regular dinner party
. that she was quite excited in preparing
for II. After looking through her ward
robe and finding nothing that quite
suited her. she sent for a little dress
maker who always did her sewing. and
between them they made the dainty gown
which the young widow had designed
II was . soft, clinglng. pearl-gray
satin that shimmered into siivery high
folds Of delicate white lace finished II at
the shoulders. The rather severe outlines
OF the gown were planned to emphasize
the wearerss exquisite figure She was
aware that the only flowers TO be worn
with this costume we're English violets,
and she stifled pang Of conscience
which accused her OF extravaganza wher.
she fastened the large corsage bouquet
of these blossoms in place. The effect
amply compensated her for her pains
when she surveyed herself In her mir
rer. The children exclaimed with JOY.
Jack. the elder, admlring "the beauti-
full flowers" and Jean touching with
reverent and tiny fingures the shining
train, and babhling about the time
when she should be "a big lady and
have dress les like mammals"
Even In her excitement Beatrice waited
to see Jack tucked warmly into his crib
and Jean In the bed which the little
one shared with her mother Then. kiss
ing each child goodnight she hurrie
from the room and. with parting order
to her maid Of all work, went down IN
the cab that waited for her
Il will ride to the dinner In taxi"
had been her decision. "sS / cannot go
alone in q street car In evening dress.
PROBABLY Mr.. Maynard will bring me
nome
several guests had arrived before Bea-
tree. and Helen Robinson's greeting was
so cordial tnat the newcomers heart
warmed 10 her. The two chatted gayly
for minute or two before the arrival
Of the last guests. Among these was
Robert Maynard BY the time he had
greeted his hostess and turned for word
with Beatrice dianeT was announced. and
Mrs Robbins said:
Mr.. Maynard viii you please take
my husbands niece. Mics spaulding. out
10 dinner7 And. John" turning to Mr.. |
Robbins. please give Mrs. Miner your
arm and put her at your right hand at |
the table" And. as the party started to-
ward the dining room she whispered into /
the astonished woman's ear:
You see. dear. Pm giving you the |
place Of honor by my John. and / shall |
seat. dear Uncle Henry the other side |
OF you He IS not much Of taIksr.
but ne loves to listen 20 bright woman
/ meant 10 put Robert Maynard there. |
but when l saw how the suggestion an
noyed you the other day, and that you |
did not fancy him, / altered my piens.-
Vita that slectrifying statement she |
swept into the dining room and directed |
the guests 20 their various chairs.
Beatrice's faith showed no signs Of her !
inward disappointment and resentment. |
Her thoughts worked rapidly. and Helen |
Robbins had not exaggerated when she