Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-02-21
CHAPTER XX

Copyright, 1918, Star Company
Edward Van Saun, Milton's IA
ther, was an elderly man with a
| young heart. He had been too busy
| to grow old, but now that his health
| was failing he found it difficult to
! be uniformly cheerful.
| Nevertheless, he welcomed cordi-
ally the young people as, led by his
son, they entered his library.
He looked down kindly into
| Cynthia's face when he was pre-
sented to her.
Il am glad to know you, my dear"
he said gently, his eyes softening
as he noted her mourning garb.
Milton has told me of you and l
am happy to meet Dora's cousin.
count myself lucky man to have
before me the prospect of two sweet
girls coming into my family"
Dora laughed merrily. There's a
com pliment for both of us, Gym, she
exclaimed. al never told you what
dear father Milton had, did /?
really think one reason l became en-
gagged to Milton was because was
so fond of his father"
Edward Van Saun smiled, yet
Cynthia fancied that shadow came
to his eyes at the girls jesting state
ment. She wondered If this man
was like her own father in his deep
faith in an undying love between
husband and wife, and If he was a
little sorry that his future daughter
in-law mentioned so lightly matters
that were sacred to HIM.
If SO, Edward Van Saun had BAN
ished the matter from his mind be-
n CnnIEn
genial, charming host.
"Come over into the music ROOM"
he proposed after while. and Ill
play my organ for you children"
Music is one of dads recrea-
tions," Milton informed Cynthia, as
they crossed the hall together. "He
is not professional musician by
any means, but he loves to play for
his own delectation."
The music room had n small pipe
organ at one end, and the young
people sank into easy chairs as
their host took his seat at il.
His son had spoken truly when
he said that his father was not q
professional musician, but he was
one of the men who have music in
their souls. AS he played softly,
Cynthia closed her eyes and let her
thoughts drift.
The Music Stops
Gradually the strain under which
she had been since her uncle's rev.
elation to her lessened, and she ap-
preciated that ones life does not
consist only in the things which he
possesses, but in what he is him
self. Her wounded pride and resent
ment was soothed. She saw things
in their proper proportions. And
yeti hurt her to think that she
was a dependant: that she must re-
adjust her ideas and plans.
The music stopped and Dora
spoke abruptly.
II declare you almost made me
cry, Mr.. Van Saun." she said. tits
wonderful to produce such an effect
as that on a silly creature like my
self. But your music has done it.
AS to Cynthia. she looks happier
than she has all the evening. What
makes me want to. cry makes her
placid"
Cynthia smiled. Perhaps we feel
the same thing. only in n different
way" she suggested. Then. turn
ing to Mr.. Van Saun. she held out
her hand. THANK YOU" she said,
you have helped me-"
You should sing. my dear. with
ludt Tlcn voice OF yours, Edward
Van Saun commented.
81 do not sing-that is, not to
amount of anything" Cynthia in
formed him.
mo, but she reads like an angel"
Dora declared. And she wants to
come and read to you just as often
as YOU will let her"
Milton hastened to explain to his
puzzled parent what Cynthia had
proposed. To the girls relief, Ed
ward Van San made no violent pro-
test.
Are you sure you really want
to Gomez" he asked, looking at her
keenly.
He could not doubt the sincerity
of her reply.
II want very much to come If
you will let me-" she assured him
simply. "You will be doing me n