Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-07
MILTON ASKS DORA TO EXPLAIN
THE MYSTERY OF THE Dark
ENED ROOM.

MILTON ASKS DORA TO EXPLAIN
THE MYSTERY Of TIL; Dark
ENED ROOM.
CHAPTER LI.
"Wellr' Dora Livingstone looked at
Milton Van Saun dehantly. What is
1t that you want to say to me-"
The man did not speak at once, but
stood looking down into the fire. his
brows knit.
You are no. very laxative now
that we are alone his companion
challenged. Whats the matter?
Does my august presence seal your
lips?"
he turned towards her impatiently.
Dora. you make 1t hard for me to talk
! TO you frankly. never know just
how you are going to take things"
What things"
! "Why''-awk wardl y-''some questions
i want to ask you.
Because you don't ask them, per-
haps." she suggested But you spoke
awhile ago II YOU had some i'm
portant matter on your mind. set now
that you have chance TO put il into
words you Seem to have forgotten all
about it,"
Il have not forgotten IT," he denied.
only think perhaps Will ask
Stewart instead"
He watched the effect OF his words
and saw the girl start slightly. as IL
taken by surprise. Yet III another
instant she smiled.
Well. do as you please about that"
she said. 1T is evident that The sub
ject on which you wanted 10 consult
me does not concern me. especially II
you could consult Gerald just as well
about IT,"
Milton came close TO her and laid
his hand on her shoulder. bending over
her as he might have bent over a child
with whom he wished TO reason SEN
sibly.
y,il 81,
Why are you going TO marry me-
Her eyes wavcrcd under his steady
gaze.
DO stand up straight or sit down.
please. Milton" she commanded. You
make me nervous leaning over me like
that"
She waited until he had drawn a
chair by hers and had sat down. Then
she looked at him squarely.
A Bitter auestIon.
II am going 10 be guilty OF a Yankee
trick and answer your question by ask
ing another. why arc you going to
marry me. Milton"
1T is late III the day for you TO ask
that, my dear" he told her. Had /
not cared enough for you 20 want to
marry you. | would not have asked
you to he my wife"
We'll. does not the same reason ap-
argued
He hesitated. and when he spoke it
was with AN effort. as il he had sud
denly determined to learn the truth
Dora" he asked. do you love me
or Is there some one else"
Some one else." Her exclamation
was hardly louder than whisper,
but it carried :. world OF meaning
Yes" he said, lis there"
She threw back her head and
laughed. What a silly question! No
Il do not know any other man who
would take mc IL YOU throw me over
TO- morrow" she said harshiy.
That Is not true. dear" he re
admire you. and who. but FOR the fact
OF your engagement to me, would ask
you TO marry them. But that is NOT
what meant ! want you TO tell me
\ n there is anybody you would rather
marry than me--if there is any man
whom you love better than me-"
AS nobody seems to love me AS
much as you do. it is unEallant of you
TO Intimate that | have bestowed my
affection somewhere unasked," Dora
leased. Come. Milton--you and i have
never been silly and sentimental. We
| have prided ourselves on this fact
! Let US not begin to be foolish now
! We have always been good chums
Neither OF us loves the other madly.
\ But l have always understood that
that kind OF affection is not essential
e.
SO does father"
She had risen as il to end the dis
cussion. and now started toward the
door. But Milton followed her and
checked her.
Dora" he said brusquely. taking
her hand In his. you must not go until
/ have finished what started oui
TO say"
She looked up at him. waiting.
Il have heard" he went on. some
thing that has decided me to learn
the truth if possible Where we're Won
on the afternoon of the day that stew
art and Cynthia became engagcd?"
Il was at home! she said desper-
ately. struggling To release her hand
from his grasp. II was at home ali
that day with a bad headache ! don't
know what you mean"
Then will tell YOU" he said.
Your mother saw Stewart standing
in here In the freight with girl.
His arm was about her and her head
was on his shoulder"
The color was slowly ebbing from
her cheeks, but she held her head high
And what of that" she demanded
why do you tell me about it? Was
1t not perfectly right and proper for
Gerald to have his arm about the
waist OF the girl tn whom he had just
proposed marriage? am surprised
that you talk Of such thing. Milton"
Il would not he said Gravely. IF
had not learned that your mother got
home at about $40 that afternoon
Cynthia did not leave my father
until"
He stopped as hurried step sounded
In tic hall end the portieres were sud-
denly Jerkcd apart by Mr. Livingstone
Milton" he announced. excitedIy,
ftbey nave tclephonch from your house
You are wanted al once Your father
has had what the, fear is stroke Of
pa ralysis."
iMIIITON. CALLED AWAY TO
Il STRICKEN FATHER, FINDS THE
ATTACK is NOT SERIOUS.
CHAPTER LII.
y The Illness that called Milton Van
Saun so abruptly from his betrothed's
IPide did not prove as serious az was
at first feared. Edward Van Sauu had
= had slight paralytic shock. but after
{fthe first few days it was evident that
he was on the way 10 partial con-
Ivalescence.
II have been afraid OF Dads having
Han attack like this" Milton tolenbopod