Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-07
DORA'S FATHER TAKES EXCEPTION
TO HER ATTITUDE ON HER
MARRIAGE
I.y]

CHATTER l.N1.
She could not marry Gerald Stewart
That was the conviction that i'm
pressed itself upon Cynthia Long s
mind after She parted from Milton Van
Saun.
Instead OF going directly to hor
uncie's house. she crossed Fifth Az
enuc into Central Park. walking
rapidly. as If the exercise would he's
calm her mental turmoil
She had always known that a love
less marriage was 4 sin. Yet she had
promisch to enter into such union
She had done this because she was
sorry for man whom she liked and
respected and who. she believed
loved her. But this afternoon Edward
her feel rs If her own father were
speaking through him. had said things
that recalled that fathers teachings
Then Milton Van Saun had voiced
.SactlN the same sentiments and her
heart had echoed them. She ramem
hered now tho look in his blue eyes
Eut She must forget that look. That
hnd nothing 10 do with what her con-
science was saying to her. She must
not marry man she did not love.
What about Gerald himself? Would
he not suffer in the breaking of his
engagement"
1t was the weak part Of her nature
self. She answered it promptly Even
II he did suffer. il would he kinder
to allow him To endure that pain than
to deceive him with the prospect of
an impossible happiness.
y fine rain like Il Scotch mist had
begun to fall. but she did not notice II,
until looking up the Mall she saw
the electric lights reelected in the shin
ing pavement. Then. with :: sudden
appreciation that her coat was damn
and that ii was late. She turned about
and retraced her steps quickly
II was o'clock when she reached
home. The butler who admitted her
told h"r that dinner had Just been an
nounced. At the head of the stairs she
met her aunt.
Dora Out or Hearing.
You are late, my dear" Mrs. I.iv-
ingstone remarked "Why-you are
Wet! Had YOU no umbrella"
No Cynthia admitted Il did not
notice that il was raining"
Dora has gone to bed with head
ache" Mrs. Livingstone Informed her.
PLEASE make no noise in your room.
have shut Dora's doors so that your
light Will not waken her. I hope she
is asleep Hurry and change your
wet things
Don't wait dinner for me. please.
Aunt Amanda. Cynthia urged Il do
",
gin where the rest OF you are when |
get downstairs"
VIII have your soup kept hot
until you come down." the matron re-
Joined Sravcly You must not neglect
your health. Cynthia. You will he as
tired and worn as poor Dora is If Won
90 not take better care Of Yourself
on. by the way. Gerald tolephoned n
while ago. He will call this evening
unless YOU send him word To the CON
trarv. II" said he did not want Ia
'ntrn"c fut ! told him. of course
50" would wish him to come"
Thank YOU. Cynthia murmured
turning away and going toward her
room,
She must break the truth TO Gerald
this evening. she realized. with n sud
den sinking Of heart She had hoped
he would not call Tonight. and that
she might defer the painful scene for
shirk it now. She had put hcr h9nd
t" the riow that must drive straight
direct iurrow. She dared not look
back.
Very softly Cynthia went about her
room. changing her damp clothes for
dry ones 30 movement from Dnra's
apartments.
Only a few minutes haze elapsed
when Cynthia Long presented herself
at the dinner table. Mrs. Livingstone
regarded her in surprise.
We'll. ny dear YOU dressed very
quickly" she approved. Did you hear
any sound from Doras ROOM"
Not Much Sntisfactiun
None ~ all" Cynthia replied as
she took her seat. II hope she In
sleeping. She seemed tired this after
noon"
II noticed that she did not seem as
we'll as usual" Cynthia admitted.
ITO Be Continually