Evening star., 1912-07-21
CYNTHIA0F- -THE-MINUTE
LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
Author OF Brass La Land"
Copyright 1911. by .osepay y.nceJ
LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE

longer was comforted BY her mantle of
personal privacy: everything was reveal
ed to that dreadful and relentless old
woman and-the chiefest horror-against
the virgin innocence of her soul that de-
ceit she had been told to practice stood
out as publicly as blotch of SCOT on a
snow bound waste.
She stirred uneasily. A look of salts
faction lit up medame'S eyes. she smiled
a smile family sardonc and the tip of
her tongue showed between her strong
white teeth and touched her lips. Actu-
ally. Nine Savaran licked her lips in
anticipation of what was to come.
In the unnaturally prolonged pause. dis
tressed. Cynthia even shivered Sidonie
more wise in her day and generation,
saw that look. interpreted it and felt her
soul shudder. Madame unquestionably
had trump card up her sleeve. and as
soon as that was played the game was
up. SO far as Sidonie was concerned.
Only a fearful ncredulty held her
spellbound II seemed incredible that
her apprehensions could have any root
IN fact
What queried Nine. Savaran-"what
precisely Is your understa nding of your
duties. should / engage you?''
Why replied Cynthia. family. Il un-
derstood you wanted a companion and
secretary. some one who had no objec-
tion to travel"
Yes" madame interrupted. You saw
all that in the advertisements,
Cynthia's lips sought to shape the af-
firmative, but her tongue would not utter
1t. She had not Vet learned to lie. Sc
she was silent.
No the old lady presently answered
for her: you did not see it in the ad-
vertisement Do you know why. Sidonie
Because l didn't insert the advertisement
after all. you she-devil. / thought you
q int cd In
caught you patching together the scraps
of the first draft: SO I said nothing and
simply pretended to go out to the Globe
Office. Then you sold me, Sidonie. Real
pect it OF you. Don't you think so ST.
donie?'
The pallor in the maids sallow face
spoke for her more truthfully than her
stammered negative.
What liar YOU are, Sidonie" OBJ
served madame. with irony as corrosive
as an acid. She turned upon Cynthia
with something less Of personal hostility
in her manner. Who sent you here?'
she demanded.
"I-why-'' Cynthia said in crimson
confusion and shame
Who told you about the advert iseme mt
had in mind? 1t was that scoundreI
Rhode, Wasn't it?'
Yes" said Cynthia of the pitiful eyes.
You admit it? You dare tell me TO
my face he sent you here to win my
confidence and spy on me and sell me to
him-like Sidonie there?'
Her spirit came to Cynthia's rescue.
tardily but not too late. That is not
so,' she said. clearly. There was no
such understanding. You have no pos
sible right to assume so much-or to talk
to ME in this way
There was now a fighting light in Gym
thia's eyes. and brilliant spot on her
either cheek. She made no move to go,
for she was determined this hateful crea-
ture should know the absolute truth
self she would tell that story, whether
the old woman chose to believe her or
not.
Nine. Savaran stared in surprise to see
her sitting there, facing brayely her
anger. giving her look for look and be-
traying no hint of desire to escape. She
liked that she liked spirit in her sex.
and had scant patience with a will .hat
dared not cross her own. None the less.
there was no suggestion Of her moliifica-
tion in her instant rejoinder.
indeed? said she, In her most caustic
tone. Just so would her grandmother
have said: 'Hoity-toity,''
Yes. indeed.' Cynthia insisted cour-
ageously. Il came TO you simply be-
cause I was poor and needed work. From
Mr. Rhode. by the merest accident. 4.
learned that YOU needed companion.
never knew him before yesterday, and l
hardly know him now. There wasn't the
least intimaton that | was to deceive you
i'll any waE; only he advised me not to
mention his name.
Il should fancy. said Nine. Savaran.
with edged Significance. And how. pray.
did all this come about
i was dining with a friend. Cynthia
told her brief story as succinctly as she
could concerned only to get it told and
feel free to go away. After dinner he
r hnH rs1p m 10 tynn &c frin
and so was introduced to me. He calls
himself an inventor of occupations-I pre-
sumo you know that?
II do. Go on said madame severely.
''Sidonie. stop making those hideous faces
instantly. Stand behind Miss Grayce-
anywhere, so she doesn't see YOU
Sullsnly Sidonie complied.
Il was pretty desperate because l need
ed work; that made me ask him If he
could inyent an occupation for me. He
said hf could. and showed me a tee-
gram to him giving the wording of an
advertisement which it stated was to ap-
pear today. He told me had a chance
OF getting the position if l got here early
enough. 1t was distinctly understood /
was in no way bound to him for telling
me about this chance
And why was that SO distinctly under
stood pease? AS vet madame'S voice
had lost nothing Of It's edge Of sarcasm.
But already her eyes were twinkling
deed, insisted upon it. And that"
added Cynthia, rising. is all 1 have to
say to you, Nine. Savaran.'
But it's not all l have to say to you.
young woman. Sit down.
II shall do nothing of the sort" re-
piled Cynthia, moving toward the door.
But / haven't finished with you, girl,''
Still Cynthia did not turn back, and in
this extremity. faced out. madame had
need to have recourse to wheedling.
Miss Grayce.' she pleaded, with so COM
plete a change of tone and manner that
Cynthia looked round in surprise her
hand on the door knob Just a minute
longer, please -
Not if you're going to continue being
uncivil,'' stipulated Cynthia.
At this, TO her. the old lady's sense of
humor was SO tichled that she laughed
outright. Come back. YOU droll crea-
t,,re!'' she gasped. Il promise to handle
you with gloves, my dear. Please-to
please an old woman-just for a minute.'
Uncompromising Of mien, the younger
woman consented and came back to her
chair. BY the time she was seated Nine
Savaran's temper toward her had under
gone a complete volte-face. She had a
not unfriendly smile for the girl
MY DEAR" said she. in this new and
kindly voice, you should have more pa
tience with a lonely woman of my age
who is harried by cares and upset by
treachery. And you must admit you
came to me with the worst credentials