The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-09-15
S9E8E35-E8885359
Cynical Cynthia
By Dorothy Blackmore


'eA"~a @AtefAlg Efehs'l
look into the eyes of a man whose
sister he had treated so badlyH
Luncheon was well under way when
Danvers looked up at Ardsiey.
Rem. old man, you've always been
a friend Of the family, haven't your"
Ardsley nodded. a pang Of shame
darting through his whole being. "oi
course" he said.
Were pretty proud. you know
Rem, as a family. but sometimes !
think it's false pride and-well, Gym
thia Is suffering from It all"
"Cynthia?" repeated Ardsley. In =
low tone. How so2"
The pater, as you well know. mar
ried a woman we did not care for
not that any woman living could have
taken the place of our own mother
but Sis and decided that. for Dads
sake. we'd make the best of II. And
we have. It's harder for Cynthia than
for me for she has Mrs. Danvers all
day. and now that she's home from
college for good it's beginning to tell
on her. Last night found the poor
girl In tears out In the honeysuckle
arbor all by herself. She said she
had tried. in the four years that she'd
been away at college, to acquire
hard. cynical view Of life so that the
little things at home would not jar
on her and upset her so much. II
seems that It is hard and she is un
happy in being unable to be her own,
old self. Now-what shall we dol ]
hate to raise a scandal and break W
the family by taking Cynthia away
from home-and father-but you
know. old man. you can't sit back and
see your only sister unhappy because
OF family pride"
The young man pushed back his
chair and wiped his forehead. It had
been hard-this conhding OF a family
trouble, even to SO old a friend a.
Remington ArdBley.
IL hate to make q fuss. you
know. Rem, but had to speak OF II
today. Our family Is so old and 50
proud" he added, his chin uncon
sciously elevated.
Ardsley did not speak for q full
minute. Il appreciate your situation
and l respect your confidence, Bob,
but-you don't know how It has made
me feel would like to disappear on
the face of the earth at this minute.
You? But it's not your family
Rem" said Danvers in surprise.
mo; but you don't know how much
l have to do with IT," Ardsley re-
marked, meaningly. TIL try to
tell you more about It some time
Now-I must rush or"
The two men separated as was
their custom after lunch. Ardsiey
sought the Danvers home and Gym
thia. He could not wait another hour
before telling her how he had mis-
judged her, how abjectly sorry he
was for his unwonted criticism Of the
preceding day.
Words absolutely fail me. Cynthia
to tell you how woefully l midjudged
you. Can you-will you try to-for
give me?" He spoke earnestly and
looked down into her eyes as she
stood with him out on the big yer
anda.
Cynthia did not answer for a mo
ment. "Why-what have you done?
she asked. the old trick uack again.
Done? l accused you of being
but the sweet, womanly girl
you are, Cynthia 1 .hought-in ny
great egotlsm-that l was the one to
name your faults, to Judge you. did
not understand what you have to-to
put up with. l did not know 1t was
all done for a noble purpose. Oh
Cynthia, am sorry"
Don't be, Remington" she said,
81 forgive you for think,
ing | had put on silly airs just to
show that l had been away at col
Iege."
Ardsley smiled gratefully and took
her hands. do you? And-will you
prove it by promising to be my wife?"
Cynthia drew back-not too rar
back. Am not too cynical?" she
asked.
You're Cynthia" he said. That's
enough for me-"