The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-17
Daily Short Story
CYNTHIA'S CHARM.
"Is-ls M reallv ynn7"

Cynthia was taken OF her guard.
She found herself stammering like a
school girl at her unexpected encoun-
ter with Tom Thorne. II is not an easy
task. even for n woman OF the world.
10 receive graciously n man who has
failed to return her love. Three years
before, at her coming-out party. young
as she was. she had suddenly realized
that Thorne himself and his indiffer-
entity bestowed attentions meant more
10 her than anybody or anything else
IN her life. simultaneously with her
knowledge OF conditions had come his
NO" she answered quickly. Then
dinner was announced.
Before the dinner was over Thorne
reflected that Cynthia had made the
most OF her possibilities. lie had
never heard a woman talk so enter
taininEly. She easily dominated the
conversation: in a quiet unassuming
announced determination to travel for
several years. He had worked hard
Tor long time-he told her in his
| thoroughly impersonal way when he
had asked her to sit out a dance and
he had decided 10 play for a while.
There were certain conditions-he had
| said-which made a long trip impera.
tive
Il dare say" he had laughed as he
1
across you on your honeymoon some.
where in Europe Il wish" he had
| added seriously that something would
] fire your ambition. Cynthia. | havS
watched you since you we're a little
girl and your mental calibre Is too
nne TO be wasted in an ordinary. idle
life, talking and dancing with these
little fellows who caper 10 the sound
OF society's music. Goodbye and good
luck 20 you"
/ a few months later. when her father
died. "A note had reached her from
Thorne. dated I'm Egypt. assuring her
/ or his sympathy for her and Of mis-
! sense OF personal loss. When her az
/ fairs had been adjusted. she went
abroad for two years and then. return
Z ing home, and finding the weather So.
we're. She doe I'D To spend the winter
with a party % friends in the south
. 4 few DAYS after her arrival. on ac
ccpting an invitation 70 dinner. she
was surprised to find Thornc thavo
Cynthia" he had echoed. "i- 10
really you2 What n long. long time
since ] went 10 your party 10 Offer
my homage AZ the court ~ q new
queen. Life has certainly been gen
erous 20 you.' he said. noting her
mature beauty
"Oh. no" she interrupted. Iif.
took all / had two years ago"
"NOu have never married thcr
Cynthia saw q sudden light in
dark eyes and ne beat almost Cg
ly toward her
way she taCffully steered the talk bon a
Interesting channels - art - current
cvents-trayel and matters Of gen.
eral interest Tho men he knew
were secretly thankful that for once
they had not been forced 70 discuss
or to listen 10 gossip ana 20 the
small talk that be- too prevalent Gym.
thia was a tyne Of lbs possible new
woman. progressive without suGra-i
g"tte tendencies. She was whole.
some. che was sane. che was sincere
Thorno became conscious Of tho
fact that q woman was questioning
him
Yes. ever since sho was p little
for q long time. haven't you9' sho
asked Curiougly
"Yeh. ever since che was n little
girl iu short dresses"
How intprpstinr- It's funny how
she has remained single when an tho
men 60 mad over her suppose eho