Omaha daily bee., 1912-05-21
Husband Hunting

ny Virginia Terhune van ne wnter


Minor and Rooert Marcy met. was a
confirmed. If unacknowiedged. match
ekmaker. she had often told Besrfce u
sslactually made her own heart ache to see
her living such q lonely life.
She. therefore. considered II a delight
full coincidence that the widow and the
widower should appear at her little after
noon at home, at the same time. Rob
ert Marcy was one Of the few men who
attend afternoon teas, During his wIfe's
lifetime be had done 80 only very oe-
casionaily with her. and always. under
vigorous and strongly expressed protest.
protest which sometimes had brought
tears to her eyes.
While he looked into Beatrices eyes
she noted especially his flashing smile
and fine. regular teeth. and remembered
that Toms mouth had always been
homeiy. and that his teeth had been quite
irregular. That was why she had urged
him 10 wear mustache, which, of course,
he declined to DO. But II was only her
subconscious mind that recalled these
with her new acquaintance and with her
hostess.
Then several other people came in and
the pair drifted to different parts OF the
room. Nor did they meet again until
Robert sought out Beatrice to bid hor
goodbye.
TT has been a pleasure to meet you"
he said. II have been very lonely. and
feel grateful to our dear hostess for
inviting me TO dine here with you next
week. hope that nothing will Interfere
with yerr coming
1T have heard nothing Of the affair. /"
said Beatrice. Il may very possibly be
engaged for every night next week"
She felt a chill Of resentment that
Helen Robbins should make an arrange
ment with any man to meet her at din
ner without first consulting her. In fact,
she considered II somewhat OF an imperti-
hence or course. Mr.. Marcy could not
know this. but she would tell Helen what
she thought OF II.
II was not delicate. she thought. and
she wondered II the man In question did
not suspect what Helen was about, and
n he thought that she. widow Of only
two years. was party to the plan. Even
though she had decided 10 her inward
soul that II she ever met man who was
worth while she might marry again. that
was her own affair; but for another
woman 10 think such a thing Of her.
and TO 20 20 far as to show that she
was thinking II. was most indicate.
she was reused from her reflections by
the voice Of her hostess. saying:
hat Dah
Marcy is a widower. and has gone no.
where for months. That Is why you have
not heard me speak of him-as he has
kept himself shut away from all his
former associates. was very glad 10
zee him here today and TO notice how
bright and cheerful he was when he was
talking to you. Yes. he has been sad
and lonely, for he was enc Of the pen
who love their wives devotedly. al
ways say such men mako the best hus-
bands to their second wives"
what has all this to do with me,
Helen" she asked with asperfy. Il aid
not know that Robert Marcy was a
widower. nor do l care whether he Is or
not. only 1 should think he might be
allowed to talk TO . woman without
snybody's thinking that be is plarning
10 marry again Perhaps be may lind
some girl with 80 little sense that she
may be satisfied with him. /, for my
part, cannot comprehend how any one
who has been happily welded ence would
ever make a second attempt. But Wild
overs are different from widows-more's
the pity. But DO not consider IT IN good
taste for Mr.. Marcy's scqusintances to
plan for his second marriage. You were
his vife's friend. weren't yous"
Helen widened her pretty blue eyes In
unaffected astonishment at her guests
vehemenee-
why. dear" she said, what Is the
uaatterg Yes. I vas his vife's friend.
and because I know now good he d I
want him 70 be happy again But ! do
not understand why you should resent
my mentioning the matter. You actually
talk as II you did not Ike him. and I
thought you would find him a pleasant
fellow He b csrtainly a gentleman
even il be Is Whoever" she added
teasingIy.
AZ Beatrice walked homeSard she sc-
kaowledged to herself the humilssfing
fact that she had been sngered because
Helen had spoken cut her osn thought
Of second marriage. II was one thing
to confess IL to ones self; il was quite
another 70 have ones friend voice H.
And. moreover. muttersd Beatrice. she
would not have any man. least OF al a
WHOEVER. thrown at her head. No. she
would not go 20 that dinner.
Bot in hsr heart ef hearts she knew
that tomorrow she would write note
Of acceptance OF the invitation Sever-
thsless. until then. she would. even TO
herself. keep up the little game OF re-
sentiment and iadsIferencs.