Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-02-26
Naturally" said Cynthia, 81 refused

'Why 'naturally'?"
''Oh. because-well, because"
"a remarkably good reason!" L said
gravely. May l ask whether it struck
him In that light alsoT
Cynthia stopped in the middle of
the path and turned to face me.
Would you expect any man to take
No for an answer and go away, right
away. without even waiting to see if
wanted to change my mind" she de-
manded wrathfully.
Never having had any experience, 1
can't say; but, still, where you are con-
cerned. shouldn't"
''Well, he did,
We resumed our progress down the
garden.
"AId he.' 1 queried.
"Oh. he said Cynthia. "I've never
seen him since nor heard a word from
him. expect he has even forgotten
my existence"
We stopped at the gate leading into
the wood. and I slipped my hand into
Cynthias.
And you?"
Cynthia rested her elbows on the top
Of the gate. holding my hand against
her soft cheek.
"I?' she repeated, 81 would give all
my fOrtune-all in the world. to tell
you."
Down went the fair head on to her
clasped hands. and l needed no words
to complete that unfinished sentence.
let her cry, though Heaven knows
my heart was sore for Ter. Fragile,
sunny-hearted Cynthia. with all her
love of laughter. reserved and proud, 1
knew things must have gone hardly
with her for her tn give way so utterly.
Presently she raised her head and
stared steadily out at the moonlit
wood.
'He was so different from other
men," she said softly. zone felt one
could trust him in every way. He
never made pretty speeches like the
others. nor tried to fiatter me. We
were just frends~all the voyage, but at
the end l knew he cared, and l was
Cynthia" I said, why did you re
fuse him."
Even in that faint light l could see
the rush of color to her face.
at was all so silly, I'll tell you.
Caryl. because you always understand.
1t was just before we got to Marseilles.
was on the deck by myself; 1t was
quite dark. you know. and the two
Harris girls-you remember told you
about them in my letters?
Eyes The two who were SO jealous
OF you"
'They came and stood quite close to
me- suppose they didn't see me-and
they we're talking about me and-and
Maxwell"
MAXWELL"
His name was Maxwell Erringtol.
Isn't it 4 pretty name, Caryl? They
were saying he was In love with me,
and Jane-that was the elder-said,
with a sheer. Or her money more like
Iyp and Maud laughed She said, oh,
he'll propose all right before we get
home, you see. l wonder If she will
accept him. and Jane said, of course
she will. Any one can see the little
fool is head over heels in love with
him, and she wouldn't throw away a
chance like that even If she has
money"
Cynthia's voice faltered
"Brutes," I murmured Indignantly.
Then they went away, and directly
Rfterward he came and-and oh,
Garry, can't you understand what 1
was feeling? l couldn't help 1t, my
heart was so sore"
Yes, l could understand. Well l
knew the storm of wounded pride that
would have ragged in Cynthia's heart,
the irritated, hurt delicacy. Poor Gym
thia.
'He was so good, Carry. even then,
though knew from his voice what he
was suffering; he only thought of me-
When lie took me back TO the saloon l
never dared to look at him. 1 was
afraid He went ashore at Marseilles,
and I've never seen him nor heard Of
him since. 1 don't suppose 1 ever
shall"
She was crying again, softly, and 1
took her into my arms
Don't cry, darling" L whispered.
TT will come right some day-it must.
lou were never made for unhappi-
ness"