The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-11-13
Ghe Inevitable
nj an
By IZOLA FORESTER
Copyright, 1906, by Ruby Douglas

Copyright, 1906, by Ruby Douglas
Wait" laughed Jolly Allan, prophet
ically wageing his forefnger at the
two figures in the hammock. Just
you girls wait until the inevitable man
shows up and see where your friend
ship will be. Pouf! Bingl Up in
smoke
There have been mem began
irene loftily.
4 said the inevitable man." protest
ed Jolly-"the man, the right and only
one. | know there have been; wasn't
| one Of them last year? But, honest,
it will do me world of good to see
the right one come along and have
both of you girls fall in love with him
your tastes are so similar, you know"
He lodged the cushion that whizzed
from the hammock in his direction
dexterously And then see the tumble
in girl loyalty. You won't speak to
each other. and every time the other
one goes by with the inevitable man
the one that's frozen out will say,
Cat"
Jolly, there is limit, you know,
even TO your imagination" Dorothy
Arnold rose from the hammock and
stood moment her arms appraised as
she fastened In some refractory hair
pins. They were pretty arms. plump,
tanned and bare to the elbows. So
was their owner pretty-the very pref
tiest girl at Northern Lights except
one, and that one her closest friend
Irene Nethersby
1t was nearly a month since the two
girls had come to the inn at Northern
Lights to spend their summer vacation
The Lights was not fashionable
resort, strictly speaking; its guests and
their doings were not chronicled in the
Sunday papers, but to those who knew
and loved it 1t had beauties far be-
yond Newport or Atlantic City Perch
ed high on the pine crested bluff over
looking the sea was the inn. Winding
woodland paths led to it from the
shore, and back in the hills We're trout
brooks and deep glens. Long before
the inn and its satellite cottages had
been there the lighthouse had held its
own upon the rocks of the bluff. and it
was the light from its lamps which
had given the north point of Shelter
island its name, Northern Lights
1t was an odd summer crowd that
filled the inn-students resting, stu
dents studying. people in search of
peace above all-and yet about these
steady guests, who came year in and
year out, there played perpetually the
transient, merry summer butterflies,
who came and went with the weekly
steamer
Jolly Allan was a permanent fixture.
AS son Of the owner of Northern
Lights at large lie occupied privileged
position. But even with Dorothy's dark
eyes gazing at him in naughty disap-
proval he did not retract one word
"Just wait" he said. Last year he
didn't come. but he viii this time"
Arm in arm the two girls walked
lelsurely down one of the cliff paths
that led to the boat landing Both
were tall. both slender and golden hair
ed as sisters, but D0rothy's eyes were
dark and grave. and Irene's were blue
as the bluebells that grew In the rock
crannies at her feet. They were cous-
ms and college mates as well. Every
year only drew them nearer together
and made their friendship more sure,
and with all their little love affairs
there had never been shadow of
! rivalry.
Hallway down the bluff the path
made a turn. and a rustic bench had
been built there. Kneeling on 1t, the
| girls leaned their elbows on the back
| and watched the White Queen steam
smoothly to the dock and disembark
her usual quota of city deserters.
1t was sun set and the sea lay silent
and rippleless. stained crimson and
purple from the suns rays. Most Of
| the passengers We're taking the main
road up to the inn. Only one figure
came toward them, figure in gray
flannel, and as he came he whistIed
The girls watched him idly, disinter-
estedly, without moving from their pc
| sition. Men were common at the
Lights" even men in gray fannels who
whstled. But as he came up the path
and faced them at the turn they real
lied that this man was different 1t
wasn't anything special about him-he
was merely a strapping, healthy young
ster, clear eyed, clean shaver. with lips
ready to whistle or smile and brown
hair that waved above his tanned fore
head-but 1t was the quick, frankly as
tonished look in his eyes that disarmed
them MS he glanced from one face to
the other. look that spoke volumes,
but volumes with a double dedication.
rs this the right way to the innY' he
asked
Dorothy did not answer. After that
first look in the strangers eyes she
had looked ont at the crimson sea
Irene flushed slowly and pointed up
the path.
1T is up there where the gray towers
are" she said, and he lifted his gray
travelling cap and went on. but he did
not whistle
For few minutes neither girl spoke.
Then Irene sighed, half to herself, and
slipped her arm around her cousins
waist.
Dolly, wouldn't it be odd if he were
the one? You know what Jolly said
the inevitable man"
And Dorothy pushed back her hair
with a quick. half impatient gesture as
she turned from the sea.
1T is late." she said Yes, 1t would
be odd if be We're the one"
AS Jolly said week later, he was It
all right And gradually Jolly's smile
.evl,eueu, anu lie went about with his
hands in his white duck pockets. wear
ing a mystical look of wisdom beyond
mortal ken, for his prophecy was COM
ing true.
Dudley Graham was the strangers
name. Jolly exulted in it. 1t couldn't
have been better. And when, after
couple of days. Dudley showed himself
possessed of an unlimited 'wad" to
boot and a disposition to scatter 1t
lolly's admiration changed to respect,
and he hoped Dudley's choice would
fall on Dorothy, because for himself he
always had preferred blue eyes.
But Dudley apparently had no choice.
The cousins were the prettiest girls at
the Lights" Therefore he made love
to both Of them with absolute impair
TALLY. And he was an artist at love
making-no ordinary piazza incoming
or woodland strolls, but at daybreak,
when all the world lay in bridal veil
Of pearl and diamond, he would take
the girls out for a sail or send them
up great clusters Of forest flowers to
say good morning for him.
(Which oneY asked Jolly. and every
one at the Lights" echoed the ques-