The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1921-03-10

KARIN
sy ANNIE LYNCH.

| soiuy, Dut hrmly, ana resolved not 10
see her again. Whereupon, vastly re-
lleyed in mind, he phoned her and
made an engagement for the following
evening.
Karin OF the limpid blue eyes, the
dull gold hair, and the firm white skin,
was secretary to elderly John Ritter
Of the house of Ritter g. Ritter. ChOs-
en- primarily because Of her beauty
| (Ritter was a conDolsseur In a dlgnl-
fled way), her brains soon made her
an Invaluable aid TO the senior mem
ber of the firm. Furthermore, Mr.
Ritter, desrous Of an heir for his
name and his wealth, and knowing that
the cold, blue blood OF the Rltters
needed an infusion OF warm red blood
lest the stock deteriorate, had decided
to marry Karin. OF which Karin was
aware.
She was aware, too, Of Jerrys per-
turbation, perhaps because his
thoughts paralleled her own. Both she
and Jerry had penehant for Injuries.
Jerry was darling, but his salary was
barely sufficient for his standard OF
living. Mr.. Ritter, gentleman and
aristocrat had wealth, and Karin had
no fancy for "cotton-stocking' exist
ence.
1t was easy for these two young
things TO indulge in such thoughts,
when apart But when, as tonight,
they danced together, Jerry, for his
part, forgot that he had resolved to
break with Karin, forgot that he was
spelling her chances. that Karin, and
karin's clothes, gossamer webs 10 en-
tangle a mans heart, were too expen-
Sve for him. He was conscious only
OF her nearnesS, of her allure. Thus,
all-forgetful, he was scarcely prepared
for her remark, when back at their
table, the dance finished, she raised
her coffee cup:
ITO our last evening together" she
smiled lightly Then as Jerry stared
blankly, she added slowly, "rhls after
noon / promised to marry Mr.. Ritter"
Karin had outplayed him. Man-like,
angry and hurt. he was inclined TO
sulk. They left shortly after, their
evening spoiled.
At the door of her apartment Karin
turned. Boy dear, have you the right
to be angry? After all, you are no
fonder Of cotton stockings than l."
She stood on tiptoe, encirced his
neck with her arms. aud kissed him
soft, little, lingering. regretful kiss.
she went inside quickly.
1t was six months before they met
again. Then one night at the "Follies"
Jery's seats were next to hers and
Rltter's. Jerry exchanged common.
places with Ritter who looked not al.
together pleased with the coincidence,
but HIS eyes were all for Karin. More
Ike a flower than ever IN her silver
and blue gown he thought her In his
prejudiced eyes the fluffy young per
son with him suffered in comparison
with Karin's serene young dignity. I'M
der cover Of the music Karin turned.
rs all we'll with you, JerryT she
questioned.
"Yes," he lied, not knowing that the
misery in his young eyes told Karin
all that she wanted to know of the
past months, For the rest Of the eve
ming Jerry stared grimly ahead watch
Ing the stage unSeeingly.
Six months of dream-haunted nights
had dented his armor of self. Karin
and Karins love were worth any
price, He knew now. He told him
self that he would not have 1t any diff
ferent for her, Glancing at Ritter, the
finished, the elegant, beside whom he
always felt booriSh and clumsy, he
knew that there was a fit mate for
Karin. She would make an exquisite
mistress for the old Ritter home. She
belonged there among the Ming vases,
priceless rugs and rare paintings; not
beside him among tray cloths and
busters. And his heart rose up to
mock his head.
A week later he dlned with Karin
In her apartment. The dinner was de-
licious--a thick, juicy steak with
mashed potatoes, hot rolls, topped off
with fnky apple pie and cheese, Jerry
was hopelessly in love, but he did am
pie justice to Karn's cooking.
Dinner finished, together they did
the dishes in the tiny kltchenette,
where they got continually in each 9th
ers way. It was all very jolly and
they laughed great deal over nothing
at all.
Back in the sitting room little ST.
lence fell. Jerry smoked, watching the
candle light bring out the golden beam
Of her hair Her eyes, he reflected
with remarkable originality, were just
the por of her dull blue gown He
had never seen that one before. 1t
must be new one, for Ritter's bene-
/ tit, he supposed bitterly, AS II guess
ing his thoughts, Karin spoke,
"You like my gown" she questioned.
She sprang to her feet and whlred
around before him. "See," she com.
manded, Then, "T made 1t myself
Third time It has been made over;
each time different color" She
stopped confused, then Olushlng deep
ly, she went on bravely, Il can sew
Il can cook; witness my dinner this
evening, and-and-"