Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-06-26
Hunting a Husband
NO. SURPRISED THE MIDST OF DE-
YOUTHFUL
BY VIRGINIA T. VAN DE WATER.

1T is true" said Beatrice. stiffly
And, pray, why should ! not 90 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 l 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 temptation to tell
you So"
Encouraging HIM" exclaimed. Bea-
trice indignantly. upon my word,
Helen. that is a peculiar term to use
in this connection. Your match max
ing tendencies cause you to appear &C
tually ridiculous! Just because a man
whom I 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. never thought Of such
a thing"
But her friend laughed good natur-
eddy
''Ah, Beatrice,b she Knocked, eff there
were not some truth in my assertion
you would not get so angry! 1t is only
the truth that hurts, you know. And.
my dear" dropping her bantering tone
and looking tenderiy sympathetic II
am so glad to think that you are good
to poor Robert He deserves 1t. Which,
she added significantly is more than I
can say for some men"
Beatrice looked at her, perplexed.
What do you mean?" she asked
ooh. nothing, except that Robert was
very generous husband and always
gave his wife everything she wanted
which is not what most husbands do
for their wives. Perhaps I appreciated
ily-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 1t
screams with anguish"
Saw Through Her.
Then Beatrice knew that Helen had
come with the purpose of lessening
Henry Blanchard's chances with the
widow by representing him as parsi-
monious. and with the intention of fur
thering Roberts suit by extelling 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 a cab given her costly vio-
lets 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 ] do for
hin-and, goodness knows, I'm not
breaking my heart for any widower!"
Helen looked grave. Il think" she
said, that he cares great deal for
you. You are the only woman for whom
he has paid any attention since his
wife's death"
Well" announced Beatrice, her tenn
per still ruling her tongue, Z am tired
of hearing of his wife, anyway; and,
besides that, l would not trust any man
who is as fond of liquor as he is"
Since when queried Helen coldly,
have you become such stickler for
temperance? I 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 l ever mind II man
took only one drink and no more. But
your friend, the widower, does not stop
at one-more's the pity"
In her excitement Beatrice had spok-
en- loudly and excitedly. Before Helen
could reply the dra wing room portieres
were swept aside and the. maid an
nounced to the startled pair:
Mr. Maynard"