Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-14

for a double wedding are all engraved
and everything!"
Before Cynthia could speak there
was Knock at the door.
III you please. Miss Cynthia" Marie
was saying. mir. Stewards calling"
GERALD. TO CYNTHIA's DELIGHT.
| CONFESSES THAT HE Is NOT IN
LOVE WITH HER.
CHAPTER LvIII.
Cynthia Longs father had often
told her that the prospect OF an ordeal
! was always more terrifying than the
| actual facing OF it. The girl recalled
! this statement now as she greeted
Gerald Stewart in the library.
| Her heart had beaten fast as she
! descended the stairs from Dora's room.
/ Now she felt strangely calm.
The man held out his hands to her.
/ and she laid hers in his grasp. But
( she did no, raise her face FOR his ac-
customed kiss. Heretofore she had
felt it her duty to do this.
am glad TO have a chance to talk
| 10 you alone, Gerald she said. Uncle
and aunt are out: Dora has gone to
! bed With headache"
She is not i'll. is she?"
Inc query was so anxious that Gym
/ thia was surprised
NO. indeed" she replied ".;he Is
! tired-and worried"
i am sorry" ne said In a low voice.
lie did not ask what Dora was wor-
/ ried about, Cynthia noticed. Perhaps
| ne considered II none Of his business.
She closed the door before sitting
40" = want TO be sure that our
| conversation is not overheard" she
explained.
! Her companion looked at her inquir-
! inSiy. There was an uneasy express
! sion on his face. as IL he were afraid
! that she was going TO question him.
Il want TO talk 10 you about myself
| she began. and | must ask you 10 be
very patient with me. and TO believe
mat am saying that which is painful
10 me. but which | must say because
my conscience tells me | must"
Gerald Is Patient
lie bowed without speaking. He had
seated himself in Morris chair near
hcr. and now rested his head on his
hand shading his eyes from the ligh;
With her subjective mind. CYNTHIA
wondered why he need protect his
eyes from such "A softeued glow as that
shed By the shaded lamps Yet she
Was gid that she need not meet his
direct gaze.
You know" she said, how han
pened 10 come to live here-so I will
not go into all that. Suffice it to say
that ! had no home. Later. l learned
mat mad not enough money ever to
establish my own home. I was lonely.
| was unhappy. You were kind 10 me
| MY aunt told me OF sour unhappiness
and loneliness. That awakened nv
sympathies for you. 1t was pleasant
70 have your friendship-for you un-
aeTstood how felt. Then-Aunt
Amanda told me that you cared
for me"
The man started slightly, but did
not speak.
You were very good to me-" Cynthia
continued felt like an alien here.
ia spite OF Dora's affection for me.
feared To become burden When Won
asked me TO marry you, said [
would
no" was she TO go on with the re-
cital- She Srasped the arms OF her
chair tightly and spoke rapidly.
Gerald, had no RICH, to accent
your love. for ] did not return il.
cannot marry you---fur / 10 not love
you. Oh:-pressinG her hands to her
ryes-it is dreadful to have waited
could continue the deception. But
Gerald. L cannot"
Her hands were still pressed to her
eyes. She was afraid to look up. She
aeara me man rise. a second later ne
was bending over her.
cynthia, dear child" he was saying
noh accuse yourself like this! We
| viii always be friends"
lhat is not enough" she murmured
We should not marry for that. Oh.
ieraid-i believe in love"
And the Man Agrees.
Il believe in 1t, too" the man said
There was no sound OF pain in his full
! rich tones Cynthia, look Al me. Let
me tell you how right think you are"
an idea smote her, as il n brilliant
| iiGht was suddenly flashed upon a sub
Ject that had been obscure until now
| She dropped her hands from her eyes
and spranS to her feet. facing him as
| he stood smiling down at her. very
kind and compassionate. but not sad
'Gerald." she exclaimed breathlessly
lnr
| With me-"
He caught her hands in his. But r
want you as friend. dear" he said
his voice quiverinE with feeling. 'Oh.
| Cynthia, We have come near doing a
great wrong, dear"
SIT down." she ordered imperiously.
and tel me about it,"
lie told her as gently as he could
OF sundry conversations he had had
with Mrs. Livingstone. Although he
;ried to accuse himself OF having mis-.
understood the matron, his listener
knew that chivalry prompted this An
hour passed, and still they talked on.
~ last Cynthia spoke out her convic-
ton.
Aunt Amanda determined to make
this match. and she almost did 1t. Now
have to break the news to her that
We have changed her plans. Oh
Gera id-thc thought Of it frightens me-!
mink or that double wedding! Oh
mess! What will they say?"
What can they say?" he began.
Wait" she checked him, "perhaps.
Oh. dare tell you? Perha ps-Gcrald
there won't be even single we'd
ding!'
What do you mean?" he demanded,
| paling suddenly.
II can't tell you! she said. mo,
don't ask me! Now please go home.
must go upstairs and talk to Dora"
You are sure she is not really ill?"
he asked again. as she stood up.
sure, Gerald"
Cant you talk to me three minutes
more. Cynthia. just to explain?"
mo. l cannot!" she insisted.
And although he begged her to let
him understand her. strange hint she
ordered him to go home at once. and
he had no choice but to obey.
CYNTHIA TELLS DORA a WELCOME
TRUTH. AND WRITES a NOTE TO
MILTON ASKING HIM TO CALL.
CHAPTER LIN.
Cynthia went softly into her own
room and closed the door. She hoped
Dora was asleep and would not hear
her. She must have a few minutes
n hnr In, toI,