Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1912-01-03
Isis it really you?"

lS-lS II really YOU.
Cynthia was taken off her guard,
She found herself stammering like a
school girl at her unexpected encoun-
ter with Tom Thorne 1t is not an
easy task, even for a woman of the
world, to receive graciously a man
who has failed to return her love.
Three years before, at her coming-out
party, young as she was, she had sud-
denly realized that Thorne himself
and his indifferently bestowed atten.
tons meant more to her than anybody
or anything else in her life. Stimuli
taneously with her knowledge of con-
ditions had come his announced de-
termination to travel for several years.
He had worked hard for long time
he told her in his thoroughly imper-
sonal way when he had asked her to
sit out dance and he had decided to
play for while There were certain
conditions-he had said-which made
long trip imperative.
Il daresay," he had laughed as he
told her goodbye, that l shall run
across you on your honeymoon some
where in Europe. l wish" he had
added seriously, that something
would fire your ambition, Cynthia. |
have watched you since you were
little girl and your mental calibre is
too fine to be wasted in an ordinary
life, talking and dancing with these
little fellows who caper to the sound
Of society's music Goodbye and good
luck to youl"
A few months later when her father
died, note had reached her from
Thorne. dated in Egypt, assuring her
of his sympathy for her and of his
sense of personal loss When her af-
fairs had been adjusted, she went
abroad for two years and then, return
ing home and finding the weather Sc
we're. she decided to spend the winter
with a party of friends in the south.
A few days after her arrival on ac-
cepting an invitation to dinner, he
was surprised to lind Thorne there
Cynthia be had echoed, lis it
really you? What long, long time
since l went to your party to offer
my homage at the court of a new
queen Life has certainly been gen
erCrus to you" he said. noting her ma
ture beauty.
"Oh no." she Interrupted, Life took
all | had two years ago"
You have never married then?"
Cynthia saw a sudden light in his
dark eyes as he bent almost eagerly
toward her
NO" she answered quietly Then
dinner was announced
Before the dinner was over Thorne
reflected that Cynthia had made the
most Of her possibilities. He had new
er heard a woman talk so entertain
ingty. She easily dominated the con-
yersation; in quiet unassuming way,
she tactfully steered the talk into
interesting channels-art-curr
events-travel and matters of general
interest. The men, he knew, were Sc
cretly thankful that for once they had
not been forced to discuss or to lis
ten to gossip and to the small talk
that is too prevalent. Cynthia was a
type of the possible new woman, pro-
gressive without suffragette tenden-
cies. She was wholesome, she was
sane, she was sincere.
Thorne became conscious of the fact
that woman was questioning him.
You have known Cynthia Wayne
for long time, haven't you?" she
asked curiously.
Yes, ever since she was a little
sirl in short dresses"
How interesting! It's funny how
she has remained single when all the
men go mad over her | suppose
she sat on your knee and showed you
her dolls in those old days?" question
ed the woman archly You really
look awfully young to have been cast
in the elder brother role to a beauty"
went on the facetious one not grant
ing him time to answer
Cynthia" called his Ioquacious
neighbor, Il bet Mr. Thorne was in
love with you. That's why he went
abroad for several years. He admits
that he assumed an elderly attitude
too soon to awaken your sentimental
love"
The woman laughed shrilly and
Thornes seeing Cynthia's face grow
white, felt savage desire to choke
the woman of too many words.
NO." Cynthia's eyes rested on his
for a second. 81 really wish that he
had been in love with me-"
Something gripped at the mans
heart and clamorous, primitive i'm.
pulse to take his own in the face of
every odd made his retort quick and
intense.
1T ISM too late yet, is it, Cynthia ?"
He found himself little later walk.
ing in the rose garden with the girl.
A soft yellow moon hung in the south
ern sky and lighted up the fragrant
| paths, sweet with flowers and the
breath of magnolias. A nightingale.
his breast throbbing with passion.
II hi 80 ,afo