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

He had shaken hands with Cynthia.
as he had with Mrs. Livingstone, In n
casual way, not with the lingering
pressure to which the girl had become
accustomed. lie and her aunt had had
little low-voiced talk coming down
the aisle OF Carnegie Hall. What had
she said to him? No matter. Cynthia
was engaged to another man
The lower floor was dark except for
the lights in the hall. Mrs Living
stone and the girls went directly up
stairs.
Dad has light In his den." Dora
announced as they reached the first
landing. 81 wonder If Gerald is in
there with him." she added hopefully.
Pushing the door open, she glanced
in. Oh bother" she regretted.
Gerald has gone"
der mother spoke sharply Dora.
] wish you would not talk In that
way OF Mr.. Stewart. He is nothing
TO you. and you are az little to him.
such seeming admiration on your part
Is i'm wretched taste"
Cynthia waited TO hear no more, but
hurried on into her own room and
closed the door
Throwing off her evening cloak, she
sank down into big chair and. lay
ing her head YEARLY back. closed her
eyes. She VAS in tangled mesh OF
circumstances that tired and puzzled
her. Mrs. Livlngstone's reproof to her
daughter was certainly undcserved. II
was plain that Dora liked Ciera ld-but
surely she had a RICH, to like the
friend of the man to whom she was en-
gagged
Dora Comes I'm.
How cold Millions manner had been
when he said goodnight: But it made
no difference anyhow. AS Mrs. Living
stone had just affirmed about Dora and
Gerald. Milton Van Saun and Cynthia
Long were less than nothing TO each
other.
Cynthia must soon tell Dora of her
engagement She hoped the girl would
make II easy Tor her to do SO. Some
how Cynthia shrank from conIding the
Facts 20 her cousin. Yet ii was rid:cu-
lous for her 10 feel this. She must
get used To conditions. and the sooner
the better. She would try 10 connde
III Dora this very night
She heard Dora go into her own
room. then the door of the little ante
chamber was opened suddenly and
violently.
May come in. GYM" Dora asked
brusquely, and entered without wait
Ing ior reply. Her face was flushed
and her eyes flashed.
Mother drives me Wild" she burst
forth. She watches me as If she
feared ] was planning TO break all OF
the amendments at once, and as if
she was afraid that unless she re-
MINDED me that l am to marry Milton
in the spring would run away from
him. She need not trouble herself.
ain going TO see the thing through"
Dora. dear" Cynthia forgot herself
for the moment In CONSERVATION at
her cousins manner. Don't talk like
that about marrying Milton. You
speak as IL you cared nothing for him"
Oh Of course. 1 like Milton" Dora
began. but l do get tired OF mothers
everlasting
She stopped abruptly as knock
came at the door.
Come in Cynthia called
Mrs. Livingstone stood in the door
way She did not speak to Dora. but
TO her niece.
Cynthia. your uncle would like to
nave q talk with you in his den. Come
in at once. please. my dear"
cynthia rose. started to obey, then
stopped. Mrs. Living stone had gone.
and was already OH her way back to
her husband.
What under the suns up?" Dora
thia's face. she tried to draw her to
her. "Cyn-dea- Cyn-whats the mat
ter? What's happened?
A Secret Out.
But Cynthia did not yield to the
caress.
Don't pet me or pity me, dear" she
said. unsteadily. Il cannot bear it lust
yet. and l must not break down. Dora
did you know-has any one told you
how poor l am? Did you know that
all fathers fortune is gonc-anG that
am almost entirely dependent upon
your father THAT he has even paid
some old Gcbts that my father meant
to pay-but-died before he was able
10 do so?"
oh. you poor dear. when did it hap
pen? How long have you known
about i;?"
i've known 1t for some time" Cyn-
tina replied slowly. II said nothing
about 1t 10 you. because l could not
bring myself to speak OF il. But
wanted YOU to know the state of af-
FAIRS with me--befors-well. wanted
you TO know it she ended lamely
You see how much owe YOUR father
have been under obligations to him
Tor Il hole for everything"
This time She could not resist Dora.s
embrace. for the girl flung her arms
about her c.usin impetuously."
"fou poor darling" she exclaimed.
Ihat has been worrying you all this
time and l never knew it, Who cares
anyway? You shall come and live
with me Just as soon as we are mar
ried 1t Will be much more fun than
Tor me to live alone with Milton. And
Milton would love 1t too. for he likes
you an awful lot. you know, Cyn."
1t was Cynthia's turn TO gasp. This
was the girl who was supposed 10 be
Jealous OF her betrothed's liking for
her cousin! 1t was all mystery.
CYNTHIA CONFIRMS HER ENGAGE
MENT AND HER UNCLE LEAVES
HER TO TELL DORA THE NEWS.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Cynthia" Mrs. Livirgstonc's voice
sounded peremDtorily through the
silent house. Your uncle $ waiting
Tor you. Why don't you Gomez"
oh, pshaw!" Dora muttered. We'll.
go on. Gym. and tell me the rest when
you come back. Mother is so per-
sistent"
Il am coming!" Cynthia called
hastening from tn, room.
Her u cle's den was at the other
end OF the hall. and she stopped in
the open door. Her aunt was stand
ing here. her wrap still on She must
have been much absorbed to forget to
remove the heavy velvet and fur
mantle. stephen Livingstone stood