Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1900-08-11


THE INEVITABLE One.
1t was the morning of AIi-Careme in
Paris.
In room in hotel overlooking the
Place de FOpera. Elaine Maxwell was
listening to man who was speaking
earnestly TO her. She was a woman oil
about 30. with quite refined features
still pretty. The man was middle-aged
between 40 and so, with hair turned
gray. He was well preserved, and car
ried himself uprightly. lie stood before
her, one hand resting on the back Of 4
chair. II cannot offer you love-" he was
saying quietly. at would be absurd al
my age to protest it. But all that the
deepest affection could give, should bC
yours"
II, too, could not give you my love"
she said in a low tone.
Ours should be common SENSE
union he continued. Wed return af.
fection for affection-and lead u comfort
able existence. ! am tired of myself.
want someone to take an interest ina
kindred spirit In you | firmly believe
L nave found that someone.
Give me a little time" she said hur-
riedly, slight flush rising to her cheek
las long as sou likep he said Cour-
teousy. He took the hand she extended
to him. you understand" he said. look
ing at her kindly, that | want you to
do exactly as you wish. If your good
sense prompts you to say No you will
have no hesitation in saying it?"
II will not" she answered. "Goodby
and thank you" she added in Il soft
tone.
AS soon as ne had vanished she sank
into chair. She closed her eyes and
thought. She had said she could not
give him her love. 1t was true. She
felt her love had been killed within her
years ago-only the memory fingered
Yet not a day passed but what she
thought of it. 1t was such Il poor little
commonplace story, too. She. girl of
20-he, a headstrong youngster, few
months her senior.
She had loved him devotedly. Then
one day came the misunderstanding. l;
was nothing serious, yet she felt she was
hurt, and her trust in him had been
shaken. She spoke bitterly. There was
an open quarrel, and they separated. The
-iasxtt-sfay -frr-wTs offered an appointment
in India. With her words ringing in his
ears le accepted ii. and so passed out of
u0I nv cuult tifilt HLltTNUIu SIC
that he bad married; since then not Il
word.
Now Mr.. Carbutt proposed that she
should become his wife. Why not? She
felt unutterably weary of the purposeless
life she had been lending. In ten years
she would be More weary still. There
was no reason why she should remain
single-no earthly reason at all, she re-
peated to herself
She rose from her seat, and, opening
the window, stepped onto the balcony.
Paris had begun its holiday. In the
street below people were hurrying along
with smiling faces; Il crowd had already
assembled on the steps of the Opera
house; men selling confetti i'll huge bags
were doing a roaring business. Flags
were flying, and the strains of a band
approaching in the distance gave notice
that the procession had started and was
well ON its way.
Elaine watched the scene with an all
of abstraction. \ moment or so after
ward she heard the door of the room
open. She turned, and saw n tiny white
form with mass of golden hair standing
doubtfully Mt the entrance.
II want to see moosc!" she isped.
Elaine had often noticed the chill,
about the hotel, and had fallen in love
with her face. She belonged To ladl
whose rooms were ut the other end of the
corridor. and looked out on back street
Emine hurried, forward and took tn,
| child's hand in hers.
so you shall. dear" she said. smiling
Come along"
"Marjoric,' cried a Voice. and nurs,
appeared at the door. The band had nm
preached nearer. Miss Marjorie glanced
at her, then threw wistful glance to
ward the window.
Elaine turned with a laugh TO tn,
nurse
Il should be SO delighted if you woul,
let her stay with me-" she said. Il vii
look after her"
Thus, few moments afterward. Mis-
Marjorie was sitting on the balcony be
side Elaine, gazing on the scene with al
air of ineifahle content. The sduar
was full now, the balconies lined witt
people throwing confetti and gay -cnlore,
streamerS were blowing from every win
dow. Round one corner the crowd wa
being thrust back. and a passage cleare,
by the gendarmes for the procession.
Elaine hardly took her gaze off he
charge. Her cheeks were flushed, an,
there was a soft CLEAN in her eyes as sh,
watched the child's keen enjoyment
Then the thought came crowding bacl
to her mind, and she sighed Ii SCENE,
she had missed the one thing i'm lif,
worth having by so little.
There was n knock ut the door. and a
lady entered, Elaine recognized her a,
Mrs. Rycroft.
II have TO thank you very much" sh,
said, for burdening yourself with Mar.
jorie. hope she has not been trouble.
some"
Not at all Do let her stop until tho
procession has passed." She said eagerly.
Would YOU stay also--therc is a splen
did view from the balcony"
She led the way across the room. and
insisted that her visitor should take her
seat ON the balcony. She could see per
fectly well from behind.
Then the procession slowl, made its
way past their window.
Elalne's glance drifted over Marjorie's
golden. hair to the crowd below. who
had chcered themselves hoarse. Idly
she looked from face to face Suddenly
she gave start. On the other side OF
the street. leaning against a lamp-poSt,
was tall man. deeply bronzed. She
had recognized him at once with shiy.
err She drew back quietly into the