The Elk Mountain pilot., 1921-04-07
KARIN.
sy ANNIE LYNCH.


see her again. WhereupOn, vastly re-
lieved 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 & Ritter. Chos-
en- primarily because of her beauty
(Ritter was connoisseur in a digni-
fed way). her brains soon made her
an invaluable aid to the senior mem
Der of the firm. Furthermore, Mr..
Ritter, desirous of an heir for his
name and his wealth, and knowing that
the cold. blue blood of the Ritters
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 Jerry's per-
turbation. perhaps because bis
thoughts paralleled her own. Both she
and Jerry had a penchant for Injuries.
Jerry was darling. but his salary was
barely sufficient for his standard OF
living. Mr.. Ritter, gentleman and
arlstocrat, 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 to en-
tangle mans heart, were too expen-
sive 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, This after
noon l 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, encircled his
neck with her arms, and 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"
Jerry's seats were next to hers and
Ritter's. Jerry exchanged common
places with Ritter, who looked not al
together pleased with the coincidence.
but his eyes were all for Karin. More
like 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. Un-
der cover of the music Karin turned.
us all well with you. Jerry?" she
questioned.
YES" he lied, not knowing that the
misery in bis 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 unseeingiy.
Six months of dream-haunted nights
had dented his armori Of self. Karin
and Karin's love were worth any
price. He knew now. He told him
self that he would not have 1t any DIFF
ferent for her. CHANGING at Ritter. the
finished. the elegant, beside whom he
always felt boorish and clumsy, he
knew that there was q ht 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 lined with Karin
in her apartment. The dinner was de
licious-a thick. juicy steak with
mashed potatoes. hot rolls, topped of
with fiaky apple pie and cheese. Jerry
was hopelessly In love. but he did am
pie Justice to Karin's cooking.
Dinner finished. together they did
the dishes In the tiny kitchenette,
where they got continually in each 9TH
er's way. 1t was all very jolly and
they laughed great deal over nothing
at all. t1-
Back In the sitting room a 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 color Of her dull blue gown. He
had never seen that one before. II
must be a new one, for Ritter's bene-
fit, he supposed bitterly. AS If guess
ing his thoughts, Karin spoke.
"You like my gown" she questioned
She sprang to her feet and whirled
around before him. "See." she COM
manded. Then. II made 1t myself.
Third time IL has been made over.