El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-09-13

I emotion in MS regard for her, and, as
she pondered this fact, she was un-
accountably Wearied and annoyed But
she held her peace and appeared so
much interested in the conversation
between her hostess and the physician
that she did not care to interrupt it
by any remark of her own. And, as
the pair appreciated that she did not
wish to talk, they attributed her
silence to fatigue or to the more flat
tering cause Of absorption in their
chat So for the greater part of the
meal she was left to her own musings.
Luncheon over, hostess and guests
repaired to the veranda overlooking
the lake that shimmered under the
brilliant sunshine.
Helen insisted that Beatrice should
lie in a hammock that was swung at
the shaded end of the porch, and as
the widow complied with her host
essS request, she was glad to remem-
ber@ her trim ankles and becoming
foOtgear. She had carefully brushed
the dust from her white shoes, and
as she glanced at them she saw that
they were still white and dainty. She
was not especially comfortable in the
hammock, for the pillows were not dis
posed to the best advantage, but she
was sure that her pose was graceful
and that the great crimson cushion
under her head threw into relief her
fair hair and fresh skin.
Dr. Haynes lighted a cigar at Hell
ems suggestion, and presently wan
dered off to the garage to look after
his car. Helen laughed softly when
he had disappeared around the cor
ner Of the house.
"A Queer Man.
Ny private opinion is that he's go
ing to stretch himself on the cushions
OF that same car and take a nap" she
remarked. Ever since have known
him he has taken siesta after lunch
con He told me that this had been
his custom for years. He's a queer
man, and dear one, too. But he
really needs wife. Old bachelors are
never normal, I say, and he is no ex-
ception. But 1 must acknowledge that
he has fewer faults than most of
them, for he is generous and broad
minded, instead of crusty and fusty,
ana pernicketty like some could men
ton"
Hell never marry" said Beatrice
laconically, ignoring the slur which
she knew had been intended for Henry
Blanchard He has no sentiment and
women are to him merely less inter
esting than men,
HE doesn't fIirt," said Helen with
apparent irrelevance, nor has he a
way of carrying his heart on his coat
sleeve for any pretty woman to stick
a pin IN, which is, by the way, another
pleasing habit of elderly bachelors. He
VIII wait quietly until he meets the
woman he wants for a wife, and then
he will win her, instead of flushing his
game But 1 suppose he is young
enough to take his time. Old men
think they must hurry up before they
are so senlle that no sane woman will
look at them"
To which spiteful remark the widow
made no reply This. she felt. was
one Of the times when silence was
golden.
Later the pair stroned over to the
red rooted cottage nestled among the
trees on the hillside. 1t was of the
enormously termed bungalow type
a broad rooted, two stored dwelling,
succeed without and finished simply
within.
The Havilands-friends of ours
own this place." explained Helen. But
Mrs. HaTiland is i'll this year and is
in the Adirondacks. They will let it
cneapIy 10 desirable persons, and on
particularly easy terms to our friends
80 my dear, If it pleases you, I will
write to Mr.. Haviland and take it for
you. do want you here very much. |
And we will have good times-you |
and ourselves and DR.. Haynes-who |
pie who are here. And the place is |
Just suited to Jean, DR.. Haynes says" |
The Widow Decides.
The cottage did please Beatrice; so !
ia the location. While she knew
there would be drawbacks in such !
close proximity to Helen, yet she also |
knew she did not want to go where |
ihe would have no acquaintances.
therefore, after a moment of consid- |
grafton, she spoke decidedly (
Yes, I'll take it. 1 brought with
ne my checkbook so that l might
clinch' the matter if I liked the cot
age, for I do not want to run the
'isk of losing it. I will make out the |
heck for the first months rent when |
We get back to your house, and I Will
)e very grateful if Won will enclose if !
With your letter TO Mr. Haviland."
Then the two women. socalled |
riends, yet each having a shoulder
ng feeling of resentment toward the
timer. retraced their steps to Mrs
tobbins's home, where DR.. Haynes
vas waiting, car ready, to take the
widow back to the city