Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-06-26
BY VIRGINIA T. VAN DE WATER.

1T is true" said Beatrice. stiffly.
And. pray, why should [ not go with
Mr.. Maynard if l choose"
For Your Interests.
Now, dear" protested Helen, don't
get cross at my asking such an inno-
cent question as that? Were | not fond
of you and interested in him I would
pay no attention to the matter But
was so pleased to hear that you are
encouraging the dear fellow that | just
couldn't resist the tempta ton to tell
YOU So
Encouraging HIM" exclaimed Bea-
trce Indignantly Upon my word,
Helen. that is peculiar term to use
in this connection. Your match MAX
ing tendencies cause YOU to appear ac
tually ridiculous! Just because a man
whom | have met a few times asks me
to go for drive with him. and we stop
for tea on the way home, you say en-
courage him! I never thought of such
thing"
But her friend laughed good natur-
edly
"Ah. Beatrice, she Knocked IF there
you would not get so angry. 1t is only
the truth that hurts, you know And.
my dear" dropping her bantering tone
and looking tenderly sympathetic, IL
am so glad to think that you are good
to poor Robert. He deserves 1t. Which, =
she added significantly us more than
can say for some men"
Beatrice looked at her perplexed
What do you mean" she asked
ooh. nothing. except that Robert was
q very generous husband and always
gave his wife everything she wanted
which is not what most husbands do
for their wives. Perhaps I appreciated
it more because all the men in my fam
iIy-excepting, of course, my husband
are so close in money matters. Why
even dear old Uncle Henry will pinch
silver dollar until the eagle on It
screams with anguish
Saw Through Her.
Then Beatrice knew that Helen had
come with the purpose of lessening
Henry Blanehard's chances with the
widow by representing him a parsi-
monious. and with the intention of fur
thering Roberts suit by extoIling his
liberality. And, although Beatrice saw
Helen's game, she could not help Won
dering If. after all. there might not be
some truth in her statements. Had not
Robert taken her to supper and brought
her home in cab given her costly Vio-
let's and taken her to tea. while Henry
Blanchard had never done anything ex-
cept call on her? Was their conduct
really indicative of the characters of
the two men? And then suddenly. she
resented anew Helen's interference
1T Is no concern of mine whether
any man is stingy or not" she said
loftily. and as for Robert MAYNARD
he cares no more for me than l do for
him-and goodness knows. I'm not
breaking my heart for any vidower!"
Helen looked grave Il think" she
said, that he cares a great deal for
YOU. You are the only woman for whom
he has paid any attention since his
wife's death"
"Weu,' announced Beatrice. her tenn
per still ruling her tongue. u am tired
of hearing of his wife. anyway: and
besides that, ould not trust any man
who is as fond of liquor as he is"
Since when" queried Helen colby
have YOU become such a sticker for
temperance 7 did not notice that you
disapproved of my husband and Rob
ert each taking a highball when we
were at supper at the Plaza.
NO" retorted Beatrice Il did not
mind, nor should ever mind if man
took only one drink and no more Bui
your friend the widower, does not stop
at one-more's the PITY"
In her excitement Beatrice had spok-
en- loudly and eXeitedly. Before Helen
could reply the drawing room pOrtieres
were swept aside and the maid an
nounced to the startled pair
AIR Maynard"