El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-30
The Husband Question
The Widow QuarreIs With the Doc
tor, Who Is Interested in
Her Welfare.
BY Virginia Terhune Van de Water

~HE sun was shining cheerfuIly
when Beatrice Minor awoke fol-
= lowing her two days of illness.
Her throat was still a little stiff and
dry and she was weak after the fever
and fasting, but the headache was gone
and she felt almost well
When she had breakfasted, she an
nOunced that she was going to get up
She stretched herself out in a Longing
chair in the sunshine at one end OF
the porch. and, resting her head against
the soft cushion behind her. closed her
eyes.
She must have fallen asleep. for she
reused herself with a start to find Paul
Maynard standing in front of her, look
ing at her quizzically-
a VOtive offering to the sleeping
beauty" he said, lightly
With an exclamation of delight Bea-
trice buried her face in the cool fra
"Oh. they are perfectly wonderful
she exclaimed. Where did you ever
False Pretenees.7
It aroused me with the lark" an
nounced Maynard, 'and took them from
. secluded spot at the upper end of the
lake before the rest Of the summer
boarders could get them. Mrs. Robbins
told ne that you were III, but now
that I see you, don't believe a word
of it. So, after all, you obtained the
flowers under false pretences. As
penalty the court sentences YOU TO d
half hours conversation with me.
Il am glad you came" said Beatrice,
smiling Il wanted to be amused most
awfully- One gets very tired Of no
company except ones self when one is
From down the driveway came the
"hOnk" Of an automobile horn. The
widow glanced over her shoulder.
'fOh," she exclaimed, in half laugh
ing dismay. that's Dr. Haynesl And
he said I was not 10 get up until he
came today"
An Angry Physician.
The physician did not appear to be
in the best OF tempers as he leIr ms
car and came up on the veranda-
Good morning, doctors" Maynard
hailed him gsayly. ou,ye come TOO
late. She's all well now"
Your medicine worked wonders, Dr.
Haynes" said Beatrice, feeling, under
the physicians disappearing gaze, like
III would be wei If you had as much
faith in my directions as you had in
the prescription" said the physicis n,
curtly. Il ordered you not to get up
until I saw you again
He looked at Maynard as he spoke,
and understanding the Significance OF
the gaze he rose hastily
Please don't go" pleaded Beatrice.
ct am quite well, and there is no rea-
son for my being treated like an in
valid"
But Maynard declined her invitation
q
profession must be conducted with the
strictest privacy" ne jested- why be
a physician if one cannot chat en- tete-
a-tete with ones charming patients?
He said eood-by to Beatrice, nodded
TO the physician, and took his depart
Reprimands Patient.
The doctor dropped into the chair
that Maynard had vacated.
Mrs Minor" he began evidently
controlling his indignation with diff
Guilty, you know that you ought to
have lain still this morning"
But I feel quite Wen" protested
STRat makes no difference" he re-
Joined impatiently-
But you did not come over last
night as I supposed you would, and I
exercised the right of private jDdg-
ment "And'-With an Indifferent
smile-'I am not a child you know"
As long as / am your physician,
he burst forth. you viii please accord
me the courtesy Of following my or
ders. What you need, Mrs. Minor, is
a strong WiHed. masterful husband to
control you. By sitting out here you
may have endangered your life Does
that fact seem a trifle to yOu2 You
have Two children TO bring up, and
Is a risk to your health worth while%'
''Dr. Haynesl" exclaimed the woman,
astouRded, and, in her turn, angry I
think you forget YOURSELF"
The Doctor in Earnest.
ct forget nothing declared the
physician. q am speaking TO you as
I would wish some one to speak to my
own sister if she behaved as you do.
It is time that some one told you the
truth about yOurSelfl"
Beatrice Minors mood suddenly
changed, and a spasm of self pity
made her lip culver as she answered.
You might remember" she said in
a low tone, that I am a widow and
all alone in the world"
Tt might be as well If you remem-
bered that yourself the man rejoined
holly.
The half sick woman paled suddenly
at the brutality of the rOtOrt, but she
summoned her dignity to her aid and,
in a moment, had seemingly conquered
the momentary weakness that had as
sailed her. She rose 10 her feet and
faced the surprised man.
Il viii have no further need Of your
services, Dr.. Haynes" she said steadily.
The physician stared at her incredu-
lousy, then sprang to his feet.
CAS- you please he exclaimed Then
he turned and went down the steps,
and a moment later the dazed but still
angry woman saw his automobile bear
him swiftly away from her gate.
To clean It out IN a hurry. $50 rolls
slightly damaged roofing at half price.
Lander Lumber Co.