Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1911-09-07
Se e
Cynical Cynthia
By Dorothy Blackmore


look into the eyes Of . mae whose
sister he had treated SO badlyf
Luncheon was we'll under way when
Dapvers looked up at Ardsley.
Rem, old man, you've always been
q friend of the family. haven. your"
Ardsley nodded. a pang OF shame
darling through his whole being OF
course" he said.
Were pretty proud. you know,
Rem, as a family. but sometimes !
think it's false pride and-wel.. Cyo-
thia 10 suffering from 1t ALL"
"Cynthia? :" repeated Ardsley. IA
low tone. "How so2"
The pater, as you we'll know, mar
ried q woman we did not care for
not that any woman living could have
taken the place Of our own mother
but Sis and I decided that. for Dads
sake, we'd make the best of 1t. And
we have. It's harder for Cynthia than
for me for she has Mrs. Danyers all
day. and now that she's home from
college for GOOD It's beginning TO tell
on her. Last night I founc the poor
girl in tears out In the h~oneysuckle
arbor all by herself. She said she
had tried, in the four years that shed
been away at college, to acquire q
| 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 1t Is hard and she Is un'
happy In being unable to be her own,
- ia 49, -,h-A nhnl uyn hnS L
hate to raise Q scandal and break up
the family by taking Cynthia away
from home--and father-but, you
know, old man. you can't sit back n
see your only sister unhappy because
Of family pride"
The young man pushed back his
chair and wiped his forehead. 1t had
been hard-this confiding OF a family
trouble, even to 30 old a friend as
Remington Ardsley.
IL hate to make q fuss, you
know. Rem. but l had to speak OF 1t
today. Our family Is SO old and 80
! proud" he added. his chin uncon'
sciously elevated.
Ardsley did not speak for n full
minute. II appreciate your situation
and I respect your confidence. BOD
but-you don't know how IT has ma.
me feel. would like to disappear on
the face Of tive earth at this minute
your But it's not your family
Rem" said Danvers in surprise.
mo: but you don't know how much
have to do with IT," Ardsley re
marked, meaningly. It'll try &c
tell you more about 1t some time
Now-I must rush Of"
The two men separated as wat
their custom after lunch. Ardsle,
sought the Danvers home and Gym
thia. He could not waat another houl
before telling her how he had mis-
Judged her, how abjectly sorry HI
was for his unwonted criticism OF tn
preceding day.
words absolutely fail me. Cynthia
TO tell you how woefully l midjudge'
you. Can you-will you try to-for
give met" He spoke earnestly an
looked down into her eyes as sh
stood with him out on the big vel
anda.
Cynthia did not answer for . me
ment. "Why-what have you done?
she asked. the old trick Jack again.
Done? l accused you Of bein
anything but the sweet, womanly gil
you are, Cynthia. l .hought-in Il
great egotism-that / was the one
name your faults, to Judge you, di
. not understand what you have to-
put up with. ! did not know II wa
: all done for a noble purpose. OF
! Cynthia, I am sorry"
Don't be. Remington" she sail
generously. II forgive you for thinl
ing l had put on silly airs Just I
show that I had been away at co
: lege."
Ardsley smiled gratefully and too
her hands. do you? And-will yo
= prove It by promising to be my wife
: Cynthia drew back-not too "a
: back. Am l not too c~ynical?" sh
: : asked.
You're Cynthia" he said. THAT
enough for me-"