The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-16
The Inevitable One.

Place de iOpera. Elaine Maxwell was
| listening TO man who was speaking
earnestly her. She was woman OF
about ~, with quite refined features, still
| pretty. The man was middle aged. be-
tween 40 and go with hair turned gray.
lie was well preserved. and carried him
self uprightly. lie stood before her, one
hand resting on the back OF chalr.
cannot OTTER you love-" he was saying
quietly. 1T would be absurd at my age
to protest IT, But all that the deepest
affection could give, should be yours, ..
she said I'm "A low zone.
ours should be a. common-sense
fection for affection--and lead a comfort
able existence. 4 am tired or myself.
want someone To take an interest ma
kindred spirit. In lou ! firmly believe
have found that someone
Give me a little time she said hur-
riedly, a slight flush rising To her cheek.
las long AS you like he said courtc-
ously. lie took the hand she extended
TO him. You understand" he said, look
ing at her kindly. that I want you TO
sS sense as ou zoo" ,S ~'s say You viii
have no hesitation ia saying it,
II will not she answered. ',Good-byc
and thank your she added In "a SOFT
AS soon as he had vanished she sank
into chair. She closed her eyes ana
thought She had said she could not give
him her love. IL 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 III.
IL was such a poor little commonplace
story, too. She, "a girl Of 20-he, a head
strong youngster, few months her se-
nior.
She had loved him devotedly. Then
one day came the MISUNDERSTANDING. II
was nothing serious yet she felt she was
hurt, and her trust I'm him had been
shaken. She spoke bitterly. There was
AN open quarrel, and they separated. The
next day ne was offered an appom,ment
I'm India. With her words ringing In his
| ears he accepted IL. and so passed out OF
her life. Some time afterward she heard
! that he had married; since then not IA
word
Now Mr.. Carbutt proposed that she
should become mis- wife. Why not? She
| felt unutterably weary OF the purpose
less life she had been leading. In 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
She rose from her seat, and, opening
the window stepped on 10 the baicony.
Paris had begun IT'S hol,dny s In the me
| with smiling faces, crowd had already
| assembled on the steps of the Opera
| House. men selling confetti In huge bags
were doing roaring business. Flags
were flying. and the strains OF a band
! approaching in the distance gave notice
that the procession had started and was
| Elaine watched the scene with an air
| of abstraction. A moment or so after
| wards she heard the door of the room
| form with a mass of golden hair stand
| ing doubtfully at the entrance.
Il want To 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 corridor. and looked out on a back
street. Elaine hurried forward and took
the child's hand in hers.
so you shall, dear" she said, smiling
Marjorie" cried a voice. and a-nurso
| appeared at the door. The band had ap-
| preached nearer. Miss Marjorie glanced
| at her. then threw a wistful glance to-
ward the window.
Elaine turned with a laugh to the nurse
II should be 40 delighted II YOU would
! let her stay with me-" she said. IL will
l 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 inenable content. The square was
full now, the balconies lined with people
| streamers were blowing from every win
| dow. Round one corner the crowd was
being thrust back, and a passage clear
| ed by the gendsrmes for the procession.
| Elaine hardly took her gaze OF her
| charge. Her cheeks were flushed, and
there was a soft gleam in her eyes as
| Then the thoughts came crowding back
| to her mind, and she sighed: IL seemed
she had missed the one thing In life
| worth having by so little.
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. hope she has hot been trouble
| some.'
Not at all Do let her stop until the
| procession has passed." she said eagerly.
| Would YOU stay also-there Is splendid
| view from the balcony
1 al he No n nd
I insisted that her visitor should take her
| seat on the balcony. She could see per-
| fectly well from behind.
| Then the procession slowly made It's
| 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 the lamppost, was
tall man. deeply bronzed. She had
| recognized him with a shiver. She drew
| back quietly into the room, her gaze riv-
| ated on the strong, handsome face. Then
a strang Thing happened lie raised his
| eyes, and they rested on the balcony. His
face ighted up eagerly. and he waved
his arm cxcitedly. Elaine was puzzled.
| She was sure he could not have seen her
Then she saw quick look of determi-
| nation cross his face. and he started to
| push his way though TO the hotel
Elaine began TO tremble. Mrs Rycroft
| turned and saw that she was pale
| we have tired you-letting you stand
4
! got up from her seat and came into the
| room. Little Marjorie trotted after her.
| "No-not at ALL. stammered Elaine. Her
| ears were straining for any sound outside
| the door.
1 There was n footstep IN the corridor.
| She turned her back TO the door, and
| stood facing the window. There was n
| tap at the door, then IL opened and some
| one entered the room.
II saw you from the street below. Mrs.
| Rycroft.' cried n strong voice. II got
| 10 Paris day earlier, this mornIng-and
| came right along"
| Mrs. Rycroft shook hands with him
| warmly. The man did not notice the
| slight figure standing with her back to-
! ward him by the window. lie was bend
| ing over little Marjorie. lie lifted her In
| his arms.
! Marjorie. dear,' said Mrs Rycroft.
| this is your father she turned To- him
/ Isn't she little darling. Dick?"
| The woman az the window was drink
4 ing I'm every word eagerly.
Are 90 weallv my father"
| "Wcally," laughed the big man. kissing
! the child on the forehead
! Mrs. Rycroft crossed quickly To Elaine.
| ~ am sure | beg yonr pardon." she
| said In tone OF warm apology. "In
4 the excitement of meeting my brother
| in-law who has Just returned from In