El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-02
The Husband Question
Paul Maynard Makes a Hit and Rob-
ert Maynard Loses His
Suit.
By Virginia Terhune Van de Water

NAUL MAYNARD was a handsome
~ man Never had he appeared to
= better advantage tina ne did
this morning astride his great black
Ajax" with the dainty little girl
perched upon his saddlebOW. His
bare head was bent over the child. and
a smile that was almost WCmanly in
its tenderness, was on ms lips
Behold me" he said half jestingly,
ssblindly smitten with your fair daugh-
teri Were we only nearer the same
age-she and II would gallop off to
Gretna Green with her without further
parley-
The widow smiled And II Jean
had any eyes for mankind she would
go with you without protest she han
tered
Paul Maynard bowed moclzingly. 7
am overcome BY such compliment,
he declared Yet Beatrice could see
that he was pleased at her speech
Jack meanwhile had stood on the
steps regarding the group with all OF
small boys contempt Tor things sen
timentaI. Now ne interrupted the con-
say" he asked of Maynard. isn't
your car a Lefevre six?
YES" said Maynard, frankly, turning
to him as though TO another man
They turn out a pretty good car, don't
you Think
BY the way" he continued. address
ing Beatrice, his eyes twinkling humOr-
ousIy, i took Mr.. Blanchard TO the
train in my car this morning"
Hes q queer old man." said Bea-
trice, laughing in spite OF herself.
Yes, he's queer agreed the man
Lately he has adopted a bOyish get
up that is luolcrous- He reminds me
OF a skeleton in kills"
And again Beatrice laughed Paul
Maynard looked regretfully at his
, watch, and swung the little girl gently
I TO the ground
most gently. May I come and see you
Wants "a Good Talk
Yes replied Jean. enphatically.
That's finel" he declared, smiling
down at her And Jack, don't forget
that you and I are to Try out the carl
Mrs. Minor, I've kept you standing for
an uuconsciOnable time, and I've also
kept q friend waiting for a set Of
tennis for Is minutes. Nay ! come
again when can sit down and have q
good talk with you2"
Beatrice's assent was as cordial as
her small daughters had been-
DIR. Haynes is nice, but mes aWfully
nice too" said Jean Wistfullys as she
held her mothers hand and watched
the graceful figure OF the ncFSeInan
disappear around the turn in the road
Hes a cOrkerr asserted Jack
That afternoon, after Mary had
washed the luncheon c1sheS and dressed
the children and herself, Beatrice sug-
gested that the maid take the little
ones over TO spend the afternoon Win
the Robbins yOun gSters- Beatrice went
into the living room that opened By
French window directly upon a shaded
corner OF the Veranda, and seaLng
herself at the piano, began 70 Play
softly to herself She did not near q
mans step outside, and believed herself
alone until q shadow falling across The
music before her made her start and
look up In the open French window
stood Robert Maynard, hat II hand
Robert Maynard Comes.
May I come in?T he asked
Certainly replied tn. the widow, as she
rose to greet him. sit down IN this
chair the window, won't you? It is
cooler at this side Of the room
Then, sinking into chair near him.
the hostess looked inquiringly ar her
guest as If waiting him TO give some
reason for his presence She noted that
his face was flushed, his eyes heavy,
and that he was evidently nervous
Mrs. Minor he began, aTzwardlys
may I speak to you for few min
Certainly" Mr.. Maynard she an
49, he hesitated- Mrs. Minor
please tell ne what has come between
7 scarcely understand what you
mean" she answered looking at him
Eravely and steadily
4 scarcely know myself" he began.
then. suddenly, to her horror leaned
over and kissed her. She sprang TO
and resentfuI; his breath was hot and
fetid upon her face and bore the faint
which she loathed. the faint Of hquoE-
I love yOUl" he gaspeds before she
could speak 4 love you macly, Wild
lyl You mean all the world to ne.
Good Lord! can't you see that you are
brea king ny hearth I know I'm not
good enough for you, and all that kind
of thing. but do love you ana
can't live without yOul can Z
The woman's breeding and refinement
rose to the occasion, and she stood
straight and calm, with a look on her
face that made the man cr1uge-
you have no right TO tell me this,
she said coIdly. You have insulted
me. have forced me to listen to dec
laration that is revolving 10 ne, com
ing as il does from an engaged man
I'm not engagedHC he burst forth
violently. How could be when
JOu-"
She checked him with a gesture u
YOU are gentleman you VIII go now
she said pointing to the door i have
nothing more to say.
When. without another word, ne nae
stumblinely obeyed her, she lied 70 ner
room, and. throwing herself face down
ward on her bed, burst into tsars-tears
Of rage and OF self-pity.
BOSTON MAN TESTS
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