The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-13
The Inevitable One.


ten years she would be more weary still
| There was no reason why she should re-
main single-no earthly reason at all,
| she repeated to herself. Long ago her
! lover, Dick Hesketh, had gone 10 India,
| after quarrel
| She rose from her seat, and, opening
the window, stepped on 10 the balcony.
Paris had begun its holiday.
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 tiny whit
| form with a mass Of golden hair stand
| Ing doubtfully at the entrance.
Il want 10 see moosic. she nsped.
Elaine had often noticed the child about
| the hotel, and had fallen in love with
her face. She belonged to lady whose
rooms were al the other end of the cor
ridor, and looked out on a back street
Elaine hurried forward and took the
child's hand in hers.
$50 you shall, DEAR she said, smiling.
Come along.
Thus, a few moments afterward, Miss
Marjorie was sitting on the balcony be-
side Elaine, gazing on the scene with an
air Of ineffable content Round one cor
ner the crowd was being thrust back,
and passage cleared by the gendarmes
for the procession.
There was a knock at the door. and
a lady entered Elaine recognized her
as Mrs Rycroft.
II have to thank you very much" she
said, for burdening yourself with Mar
jorie. 1 hope she has not been trouble
some"
Not at all. Do let her stop until the
procession has passed. she said eager
~. Would you stay aiso-there is
splendid 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 slowly made is
way past their window.
Idly she looked from face 10 face. Sud
denly she gave a start. On the other
side Of the street, leaning against
lamp-post, was a tail man, deeply
bronzed. She had recognized him al once
with a shiver. 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.
Then she saw quick look of deter
mination cross his face, and he started
to push his way through 10 the hotel.
Elaine began to tremble, Mrs Rycroft
turned and saw that she was pale.
There was a foOtstep IN the corridor.
She turned her back to the door. and
stood facing the window. There was a
tap at the door. then it opened and
some one entered the room.
Il saw you from the street below, Mrs.
Rycroft," cried a strong voice Il got
TO Paris a day earlier. this morning
and came right along"
NTre oh hands with him
The man did not notice the
slight figure standing with her back to-
ward him by the window. He was bend |
ing over little Marjorie. He lifted her in |
his arms
Marjorie, dear! sad Mrs Rycroft,
''this Is your fatherl" She turned to |
him. Isn't she little darling, Dick?" |
The woman at the window was drink |
ing in every word eagerly.
Are 90 WEAKLY my father?"
'Weally," laughed the big man, kiss
ng the child on the forehead
Mrs. Rycroft crossed quickly to Elaine.
II am sure I beg your pardon she
said in a tone Of warm apology. In the
excitement Of meeting my brother-in-
aw, who has just returned from India,
quite forgot for the moment that we
we're trespassers."
She turned to Hesketh.
"Dick!" she said, these are not my
'ooms. This young lady kindly invited
Is in to see the procession from the ball
,ony."
He took a step forward. Elaine knew
he moment had arrived. She turned
ound slowly and her gaze met his. He
ropped step back in his astonishment.
ELAINE" he gasped.
why, you know one another?" cried
Irs RycrOft
Elaine summoned a smile.
Yes" she faltered. "Mr Hesketh and
knew one another years ago-before he
vent to India" She put out her hand
nd he took it awkwardly. His eyes
we're fastened upon her, but he said
othing.
Mrs. Rycroft broke the silence
well, you must come and lunch with
~ husband and our party today" she
aid, cheerily. Then you can talk over
Id times
Elaine hesitated Marjorie came over
D her and touched her hand.
do tum!" she said, pleadingIy, land
lay with me-"
It was the afternoon of the same day.
Iesketh was with Elaine in the draw
groom of the hotel. 1t CHANGED to be ]
npty. For few moments there was {
fence. ne was SNdHIlIE III front OF |
err. She looked up, and their eyes met 5
"Elainew he cried hoarsely, "can you
yer forgive me? You don't know what
have gone through. In India l tried to
eel my heart against you, to think of
ou bitterly. ! married, but it was net
II love; ii was for power, money, pro- I
lotion. 1 deceived myself that IL was I
ght TO do So" He paused She was
good woman, and l was kind 10 her.
hen Marjorie was b IN, she died {
mt the child home with Mrs. Rycroft, | I
I'd she has taken charge Of her ever c
nee" b
He stopped again. Elaine waited with b
Eating heart for him TO continue. a
And when I saw you again this morn o
G." he cried. 7 knew that I loved YOU G.
that I have never ceased from loving n
III all these years. Is il too much . O
X you-to forgive-to be my wife now?" g
added slowly B
He looked into her eyes. and she re-
rned his gaze. She saw the face Of
e one man she had loved. >,
We were both to blame| she mur- >
ured. =
An, we have wasted ten years" he / e,
led, but we can make it up -
The walls seemed 10 fade away. II
cir place q country lane. Again they .,
IRE walking together. her arm resting
his: feeling Of happiness and con- =
Mt crept over her -
YES. We can make it up" she sa d. -
ntly.
n the hall Mrs. Rycroft had met Mr.. =.
rbutt. She chatted 10 him for a few
}uents 90
Wasn't Il strange that nv brotheF-iu- =,
= should have knovE Miss Maxwell =
r47Ff aid "a crgafly
Ie made hts way % stairs He open a,
the door q the drawiuz-ro0m quietly. :.
. peepe5 IN. Apparently K was de-
Ia t. - -. ---.--z - -