El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-12-07
4 Serial Of Youth and Romance
The Four of Hearts By 1 g5s .: T Ts11a''
Continued Wednesdays
Dora Mother Takes Occasion To Say A Few Amazing
Words About Milton After the Theater.


II A3AlAs
citation OF this speech, refusing to see
in it anything but a compliment to
herself. Again she had carried her
point. as her daughter realized when
she found herself safels- ensconsed be-
tween Milton and her mother.
She could not have a word aside
with Gerald nor with Cynthia. But
she would not let this fact spoil her
enjoyment of the supper. and she
leaned across the table to make a
laughing remark to her father.
You are in luck, father" she COM
mented. You have next TO you the
only woman who does not actually be-
long to you You might have had
either mother or me =. shed on you.
and that would have spoiled your
fun"
4 predict. nevertheless" her father
retorted, teasingly, that nobody will
talk TO me. Stewart here viii monop-
olize Cynthia, my righthand neigh
Dor. while Milton will be entirely alb
word to throw to an old man like me"
The Mother Speaks.
You are mistaken. sir" Milton as
sured him. for I want to consult you
about a business proposition made to
me today"
As he began I converse in a low
tone to Mr.. Livingstone Dora was for
mercy. Mrs. Livingstone made the
most OF her opportunity.
Ny dear" she said, in a low tone
and with 4 face so serious that Dora
regarded her anxiously. you really
must speak a word Of warning to
Milton II this kind Of thing goes on
there viii be very disagreeabie Cos
What do YOU mean?" Dora de-
manded. Who viii gossip? And
what will II be about2"
About the fact, for instance. that
Milton leaves your side TO conduct
your cousin to the car" her mother
informed her
But" Dora giggled at the absurd
ity Of the statement. how could he
help it, Gerald was with me. father
with you-and Cynthia could hardly
be expected TO come trailing across
the sidewalk alone. could she?''
Mrs Livingstone frowned- You
are as much at fault as Milton" she
reproved- You should not insist upon
Gerald's acting as your escort when
you are an engaged girl. and he Is in
love with another woman"
Dora's eyes snapped. That is a
sweeping statement" she exclaimed
Your macth making tendencies make
you suspect every man you meet Of
/ being in love with some girl you
know. Gerald IS the exception"
Tries TO Change Conversation.
Did I hear my nameE Gerald
asked across the table.
His eyes met Dorais. and he saw
that something was amiss and tried
10 change the current OF a CONVERSE
! ton whose purport he could only sus-
pect.
7 trust you. Mrs. Livingstone" he
smiled, not to allow your daughter
to say anything against me. Now.
dear people. let US decide what we
are going TO eat and drink"
Mrs. Livingstone was so COM
pletely a woman OF the world that she
was able TO speak and act as II there
had been no passage at arms between
her daughter and herself, and Dora
soon followed her lead
Gerald turned his attention TO Gym
, thia, hoping in this way TO make Dora
| fancy him ignorant OF her pertur-
baton The others. taking the cue
I from their temporary host. appeared
! to ignore any conditions that might
I threaten - mar the peace and har-
mony OF this socalled pleasure party.
The Group Talks On
SO the group talked on as such
groups do. each one conscious OF an
[ undercurrent OF thought. yet each
acting as IL the topic under discus
I sion were the only one in his or her
mind.
Yet Mrs. Livingstone found a
/ chance TO say one more sentence in
an aside before her companions left
the restaurant.
It was when. supper over. Gerald
/ Livingstone stepped to her side and
! held her wrap for her.
1T is very good Of you. dear Mr..
Stewart" she murmured. ito give our
/ little niece the experience Of coming
here to supper tonight. You have
cheered her and done her good. She
has been depressed, as I told you the
other evening I can see already how
happy an influence you have over
I her. And. as I love her. thank you"
! Gerald glanced at Cynthia She was
! certainly very attractive as she wait
ed for Milton to bring her wrap to
I her. Her eyes were downcast. her
cheeks flushed and her mass OF au-
| burn hair was like a crown on her
graceful head
Yet as Gerald Stewart gazed. he
| felt for her no emotion save one Of
pity.
(TO Be COntinued.)