The Elk Mountain pilot., 1923-10-11
THE INEVITABLE
BY JANE GORDON
.ea' 1saa western Newspaper union.)

CHE sat far back among the palms
- and watched the dancers.
Her dark hair was piled high on ner
shapely head. and beneath Its SHADOW
her blue eyes looked out thoughtfuliy'
between their inky lashes.
The young man who came presently
to take his place beside her was young
er In years, one could see, and In his
dark. dominating eyes was not that
kindly indulgence. A demand, rather'
that life should render to him It's pest.
"You are very lovely tonight, dear
est" he said, and sighed.
"There is not more graceful dancer
in the room, and your blue gown suits
your eyes, as its velvet matches the
duskiness of your hair"
The woman laughed her pure enjoy
ment. 81 do not think that any COM
pliment has ever made me quite SO
happy" she told him.
And" the young man remarked,
smiling, you must have had many
compliments-no, tributes-to your
charms" sua s
Many" the woman agreed. also
smiling. .rt
II came,' the young man went on.
ITO ask you to dance; now that am
| here, I'd rather sit out the dance and
talk. We have not been able for
some time to have a good talk"
"No," she answered hesitatingly. Il
have had to miss you great deal
lately"
Dear" he said, you know that l
love you"
The woman flushed rosily to the
laces that crossed her breast.
"As you know" she softly replied,
"how love you"
Before them, dancing across the
floor, whirled a small 1.-the figure.
Over her partners shoulder a girls
bare arm waved a salute Of recogni-
tion to the young man at the woman's
side. Again she passed, her black
eyes challenging, beneath the fling Of
her bobbed hair.
There are" said the young man,
degrees and fashions of love. When
you have missed me have been In the
company of the little dark-eyed girl
who now danced past. She is merry
little girl; good, too-and true. She
is"
With catch in her voice the woman
finished for him the sentence.
"She is," she said sadly-"the In
evitable. Are you trying to tell me,
Douglas, that you have found that
other degree and fashion of lover"
The young man moved impatiently.
"If l have.' he replied; "it does not
change the sincerity of my love for
you. You must realize that, dear and
adorable. 1 have wanted to confess to
| you, l admit, the charm that Sallie
Saunders has for me, from the mo-
ment l met her at the Davis party.
Captivated me on the spot. She was
SO altogether the girl had always ad-
mired and looked up to in my
thoughts. You will know what 1
mean, dear-you who are so under
standing. And when 1 found that my
affection was serious-a fellow knows
why, then tried to test it by stay.
ing away. Well, 1 Just couldn't stay
away; SO there was nothing left to do
but keep my promise to you. Remem-
Der? 1 was to tell you at once If
cared-for anyone"
Haltingly the words had come.
Douglas dropped the hand he clasped
and waited tensely. The woman's'
face was white to the lips, but she was
smiling. After a while her soft voice
answered, and In the dark blue eyes
kindly indulgence shone.
"Of course" she said, you would
keep your promise And what can
wish for you but happiness. dear, dear
prince charming Do not bring your
little true love to me tonight : one
must think. and adjust oneself to new
conditions before one puts forth a
hand of friendliness. Tomorrow, per-
haps-oh, will not fail you, Douglas.
Now, go dance with her-the white
gardenia for me7 You are still nv
courtier."
When he had gone blithely the
lovely woman looked down to find that
her hand was wet where a fallen tear
touched it. Whimsically she smiled
and fastened the white gardenia from
the young mans coat into her own soft
iaces. And then tall, distinguished
appearing man stood before her. With
low bow and laughing look of hom-
age, he put out his hand. Dance with
me, lady fair?" he requested.
Silently the woman arose, her still
tear-wet hand slipping to his shoulder.
concern was in the mans gaze, be-
tween the shell rims of his spectacles.
HIS blaek-coated arm tightened about
the graceful figure.
some one" he remarked decidedly,
mas been troubling you, Sylvia. That
masterful young rival of mine, l sur.
mise. And-what now?"
There, on the balcony" Sylvia an.
swered, Il will tell you"
He stood looking down upon her as
she sat in the moonlight.
"Well?" he asked abruptly.
Il think" the woman ansuoroa