Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-16

wisely: hope you will be very
happy"
THANK you" she managed to speak
at last.
Her aunt bent down and kissed her
on the cheek. Many congratulations.
dear" She cooed. Your uncle and I
are both much gratihed."
Thank YOU! Cynthia said again.
II Will leave you to talk business
with your uncle" Mrs. Livingstone an
nounced sweetly. We both wish you
much happiness. dear child. You must
feel that you are like our own daugh-
ter during the next few months. until
you go to your husbands home"
Before Cynthia could .;ummon her
wits TO reply. the natron swept from
the room. closing the door behind her.
The girl shvered slightly
You are cold?" her uncle questioned.
Her UncIe's ,Prcsent.
Cynthia remembered that her aunt
had asked her this same question this
evening at the concert. and she ca
planned now. az she had then:
Il had little nervous chill. am
very comfortable-not cold at all"
STEPHEN Livingstone seated himself
in his desk chair opposite her.
I'VE may as we'll get down to BUSH
ness" he said LAS you know am a
thorough business man. SO tonight.
when young Stewart told me that he
had asked you to marry him, and that
you had accepted. ] asked him for a
partial accounting of his affairs. was
aware from what 1 had heard that he
was doing very we'll In business. but
did not know that he was as pros
porous as he is. He can support a wife
handsomely. He Is also an honorable
gentleman. and well up on the ladder
to success and prosperity"
Cynthia wondered what she ought
-
she might know how to reply.
Il am glad you are pleased" she
said humbly.
Her uncle drew his brows together
Il am not thinking of whether I am
pleased or not. Cynthia / am thinking
only OF your future"
Yes. SIR" Her pale lips formed
the words with difficulty
And now 1 want to tell you that
you have enough money OF your own
left to get yourself a handsome trous-
seau. j want you to use Ii for that
purpose. Your future is now secure
1t VIII be my pleasure to give you as
handsome a wedding as expect to
give TO my own d,"ghter. 1t shall cost
you nothing"
oh" Cynthia pressed her hands to-
gether in protest. II cannot have that,
uncle: must pay for all such things
myself"
BE quiet" Stephen Livinfstone's
tone was not rough, but stern. LAS
the brother OF your mothcr-who was,
please remember, my only md my dear
sister, have some rights. Also other
circumstances have given me the privi-
lege to dictate as to what you shall do.
You make 1t very hard for me, Gym
thia, to do what please with little
OF my own money"
Fatheriy Kiss.
But you have already done SO
much" she began, land I cannot be
dependent any longer"
You have been sensible enough to
do that which Will soon render you
independent OF everybody except your
husband" he reminded her. AS to
what / have done-I have already m
for ii you tn. the best way for you
to show your gratitude is to comply
with my requests"
What else could she do? With
stephen Livingstone. the pleasure OF
feeling that he was playing Lord
Bountiful to his dead sisters child was
soothing. and helped him forget GER
tain matters that had occurred in the
past-matters in which he felt he had
acted as Justice and common sense die
tated. Yet II made him comfortable
to give to the niece who. but for him
and his planning. might have to earn
her own living.
You are very kind" Cynthia muir
INJURED.
Il will write tomorrow to Darius
Blake. your fathers lawyer. telling
him OF the excellent marriage you
ara making" Stephen Livingstone
added And now. my dear. good
night"
He took her hand as she sat on the
couch and bent over her in fatherly
way. dropping a kiss upon her fore
head. She recalled in a flash the first
night she had sat in this room, and
how Milton had taken her hand in his.
She sprang to her feet. Good
night" she murmured.
81 told your aunt not to tell the
good news to Dora" her uncle re-
marked with a smile. II know girls
like to tell each other these sur
prises."
Opening the door. he stood to one
side to let her pass. and with mute
how. she went out OF the room.
DORA DOESN'T GIVE CYNTHIA
MUCH ENCOURAGEMENT ABOUT
HER NGAC; EMENT.
CHAPTER NJ.
bc IF hnr