El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-04-04
The Husband Question
Keith Is Suddenly Called West and
the Widow Promises to Give
Him Her Answer Later.
By Virginia Terhune Van de Water

THE sound Of the throbblng of an
automobile engine came to Beat
rice Minors ears as she lay on her
bed, her face buried in her arms, her
heart aching with an homogeneous mix
ture Of self-pity and sorrow for the
stricken man they were bearing away
to the hospital
After a minute Of listening Beatrice
sat up with a little moan
"Oh, I have been so cruel to him.
she muttered, with a sob. And, now
they have taken him away " lat
must he think of me-"
Tears rushed to her eyes again. but
she checked them as q gentle knock
sounded on her door.
Who is it?' she asked TREMENDOUSLY
Breakfast is ready, Mrs Minor" Dr.
Haynes announced cheerfully. And
have been commissioned to call you
Wait Just a minute, Doctor she
answered with an effort to steady her
voice, and I viii be with you"
Hurrying TO ner bureau she hastily
applied powder TO her flushed and tear
stained faces and surveyed the result
critically, and with some misgiYings,
before opening her door.
1t was nice of you to wait for me- -
she said with a wan smile.
If the physician read the story which
her Redeemed eyes told, he was too tact
full to remark upon it. Instead he led
the widow down the stairs and into the
bright and pleasant dining room
where The family were already gath
cred about the breakfast table.
Keith Lacy sprang forward and
pulled out Beatrice's chair for her.
There was a Caress in the touch Of his
fingers as he adjusted the light scarf
which she had thrown about her shout
ders, and there was tender look in mis-
eyes when she smiled her thanks at
him
You had a good night. I hope?" he
rreI aas= h go Il =
If you only knew how much pleas
ure you have given your friends in
staying with them and making them
Elad-yOu would have fallen asleeD
thinking how many people are in your
debt for happiness" was Helen's cor
dial reply.
The Widows eyes filled suddenly with
tears of gratitude. You have all been
very good to me-" she said simply. II
can never thank you as L wish 1 could
She Tries to Read.
Breakfast over, Beatrice gave her
final directions to Mary, then saw her
and the children start for the train
with John Robbins, after which she
seated herself on the vine-cOvered We
tending to read. But her thoughts
soon drew her attention from the print
ed page, and the depression that had
been ners earlier in the morning was
fast returning when Keith Lacy came
up the piazza steps.
The yellow edge of a telegraph en-
velope prOtruded from his pocket. His
face was pale and grave. He drew a
chair up beside Beatrice and took her
hand in his
Bad news" he said despondentIy.
4 leave for Wyoming on this after
moons train. \ telegram which has
just come has knocked all my plans
into a cooked hat"
There was a moments silence, Then
the man spoke timidly, yet eagerly.
Beatrice" he said. won't you give
me a definite answer now can't
leave you this way, not knowing wheth-
er you care for me or not. I had hoped
that might make you love me if 1
stayed for the few days that were mine
according to my original plans But
now that telegram has left me no hope.
Please tell NE. before L go, that you
care for me. dearl'
The widow hesitated. but when at