Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-07-26
.HE foIIowing morning Beatrice lay |


abed late. Jack had been rest
less with the pain in his hand
and had called his mother often during
the night But, although She did not
get up at her usual rising hour Beatrice
did not sleep after the first rays of the
sun struggled through her drawn win
dow curtains She lay quiet, her eyes
closed, thinking of Maynard, OF his
goodness and genteness last evening
to Jack and of what he had said. but
chiefly of what her instinct told her he
would say in the interview she had
promised to grant him She was sure
that he would propose to her, and she
was almost equally certain of her own
favorable reply.
She did not love him, perhaps. she
unused as She lay in her shaded room,
fair hair lying in a shining mass about
her face But he was clever and kind,
and "A gentleman, and abundantly able
to support her and her children. More
over. she had married once for love.
she reminded herself with a bitter
smile Yes. she would accept May
nard. Her hour of calm thought had
brought her to this decision. She would
be calmly contented with him as a
husband. The episode attendant upon
their trip to Claremont she had ban
ishcd from her mind. He had pract
cally denied to her that he was a hard
drinNer and she could certainly accept
his word as truth He could not have
been we'll the afternoon of their drive,
or 1t was all something that she could
not understand and would not try to
understand. She would trust him. that
was all. To this point had Robert May
nard'S tact and good manners brought
his erstwhile critic.
The matter satisfactorily settled in
her own mind Beatrice arose, bathed
and dressed herself, eating her late
breakfast with good appetite She
was busying herself with a bit Of sew
ing when the telephone rang. Think
ing to herself that no other phone in
the city ever rang s often as hers, she
took down the receiver When she re-
membered that the call might be from
Maynard. she was conscious of feel
ing of glad anticipation. and it was
With genuine disappointment that she
recognized Henry BlanChard's now fa-
miliar wheeze.
ITS Uncle Henry Mrs. Minor" said
the old man with a chuckle. Were
Hello as though YOU thought you We're
going to hear something pleasant"
And ! think am, answered
Beatrice.
Child. child. don't try to turn the
head of an old codger like me" re-
proved Blanchard, although we'll
plea sed. Il only called you up. my
dear. to ask if YOU would make me
happy by letting me come to see you
AZ; IN "a
Helen is going out of town today -
with another chuckle-" and | want to
make the most of my opportunities"
"a friend is always welcome at my
house. whether Helen is in town or
not" said Beatrice, a trifle coldly. She
disliked the air Of intrigue the sexa :
genarian seemed anxious to impart to
his visits.
But Henry Blanchard with bland un-
consciousness. accepted Beatrice's fl1g-
id statement as an invitation.
"At what time them he asked
A refusal arose to Beatrice's lips but
she was not so much infatuated with
her potential fance as to overlook the
advantage of an anchor TO windWard,
nor had she quite forgiven Helen Rob
bins her subtle attempt at Interference
in Uncle Henry's relations with her
self
n B.. 49,
happy to see YOU" she answered.
He arrived at Beatrce's apartment
at S:15 with the punctuality of bust
ness man who prided himself on being
prompt for every engagement With
him came also gorgeous bouquet OF
roses, deep red and fragrant.
"To make up for those you did not
get" he said AS Beatrice exclaimed at
their beauty But She with woman
tact, RETAINED from charging upon
what she pretended to consider Helens
mistake.
The evening was warm and muggy
and even in the softly lighted drawing
room the temperature was oppressive
Uncle Henry mopped his face con-
stantIy WITH a large silk handkerchief
While Beatrice famed herself languid-
IL. TOO warm to be comfortable.
II declare" said the man, finally
this Is the kind of night on which one
feels that he would like to go to some
quiet roof garden where there Is
breeze and listen to the orchestra.
1T is, indeed assented Beatrice.
A half hour later they were seated
i'm cool roof garden where white
covered tables shimmered in the soft
lights that cleaned among the palms,
and the strains Of string orchestra
mingled with the chatter of the guests