The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-08-24
The Inevitable One.
He Came at Last.


It was the morning of Mi-Careme in
Paris.
In q room in q hotel overlooking the
Place de pOpera Elaine Maxwell was
listening to man who was speaking
earnestly to her. She was a woman of
about 80, with quite refined features,
still pretty. The man was middle aged,
between 40 and so, with hair turned gray.
He was well preserved and carried him.
self uprightly. He stood before her, one
hand resting on the back of a chair. II
cannot offer you love-" he was saying
quietly. at would be absurd at my aga
to protest it. But all that the deepest af-
lection could give should be yours"
81, too, could not give you my love-"
she said in low tone.
"Ours should be q common sense union,"
he continued. "We'd return affection for
affection and lead a comfortable exist
ence. I am tired of myself. | want
some one to take an interest ina kin
dred spirit. In you | firmly believe l
have found that some one"
"Give me a little time" she said hur.
riedly, slight flush rising to her cheek.
"As long as you like" he said cour-
teously. He took the hand she extended
TO him. "You understand" he said, look
ing at her kindly, that l 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?"
Il will not" she answered. "Goodby
and thank you'll" she added in a soft
tone.
As soon as he 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
day passed but what she thought of it.
1t was such a poor little commonplace
story too. She, girl of 20-he, head
strong youngster, few months her sen
ior.
She had loved him devotedly. Then
one day came the misunderstanding. 1t
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
next day he was offered an appointment
ears he accepted it and so passed out of
her life. Some time ufterward she heard
that he had married. Since then not
word.
Now Mr.. Carbutt proposed that she
should become his wife. Why not? She
felt unutterably weary of the purposeless
life she had been leading. In ten years
she would be more weary still. There was
no reason why she should remain single
no earthly reason at all, she repeated to
herself.
! She rose from her seat and, opening tie
window, stepped on to the balcony. Paris
had begun its holiday. In the street be-
low people were hurrying along with
smiling faces; crowd had already as
sembled on the steps Of the opera house:
men selling confetti in huge bags were
doing q roaring business. Flags were
flying, and the strains Of a band APP
preaching in the distance gave notice
that the procession had started and was
we'll on it's way.
Elaine watched the scene with an air
of abstraction. A moment or so after
ward she heard the door of the room
open. She turned and saw a tiny white
form with a mass of golden hair stand
ing doubtfully at the entrance.
II want to see moosic." she lisped.
Elaine had often noticed the child about
the hotel and had fallen in love with her
face. She belonged to a lady whose
rooms were at the other end of the cor
rider and looked out on back street.
Elaine hurried forward and took the
child's hand in hers.
$50 you shall, DEAR" she said. smiling.
"Come along"
marjorie" cried q voice, and a nurse
appeared at the door. The band had ap-
preached nearer. Miss Marjorie glanced
at her, then threw wistful glance to-
ward the window.
Elaine turned with laugh to the
nurse.
Il should be so delighted if you would
let her stay with me-" she said. II will
look after her"
Thus. few moments afterward, Miss
Marjorie was sitting on the balcony be-
side Elaine. gazing on the scene with an
air of ineffable content. The square was
full now, the balconies lined with people
throwing confetti, and gay colored
streamers were blowing from every win
dow. Round one corner the crowd was
being thrust back and q passage cleared
by the gendarmes for the procession.
lOOh hCl So1S oh hSi
charge. Her cheeks were flushed, and
there was a soft CLEAN in her eyes as she
watched the child's keen enjoyment.
Then the thoughts came crowding back
to her mind. and she sighed. 1t seemed
she had missed the one thing in life
worth having by so little.
There was knock at the door, and a
lady entered. Elaine recognized her as
Mrs. Rycroft.
Il have to thank you very much" she
said. "for burdcning yourself with Mar.
jorie. l hope she has not been trouble.
some"
Not at all. Do let her stop until the
procession has passed." she said eagerly.
NV oula you stay also? There is splen-
1id view from the balcony"
She led the way across the room and
insisted that her visitor should take her
seat IN the balcony. She could see per-
fectly well from behind.
Then the procession slowly made its
way past their window.
Elaine's glance drifted over Marjorie's
golden hair to the crowd below, who had
cheered themselves hoarse. Idly she
looked from face to face. Suddenly she
gave a start. On the other side Of the
street, leaning against a lamppost.
tall man, deeply bronzsd. She had
recognized him at once with SILVER.
She drew back quietly into the room, her
gaze riveted on the strong, handsome
face. Then a strange thing happened.
He raised his eyes, and they rested on
the balcony. His face lighted up eagerly.
and he waved his arm excitedly. Elaine
was puzzled. She was sure be could mo-
have seen her.
THEN she saw q quick look of deter
mination cross his face. and he starteL
to push his way through to the hotel.
Elaine began to tremble. Mrs. Rycrofi
turned and saw that she was pale.
I'VE have tired you-letting you stanC
aA .tae tiws.": shs cgisd il alaGm. Sha