Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-04-28

. 10 others.
The matron and the girl were seated
III the library. The o'clock tea
wagon was between them. Mrs. Liv-
imgstonc slipped the tea daintily from
her cup; Cynthia had not tasted hers.
she was gazing at her companion, her
eyes wide and anxious.
Mrs. Living stone was glad 10 have
this interview as soon as circumstance
would permit. She had not forced mat
,crs, but had bidcd her time. 1t came
this afternoon.
Dora had gone 10 Il reception for
which Cynthia had also received cards.
i;ut cynthia, on learning that it was
to be a crush" affair. had sent her
regrets. Mrs. Livingstone had an in
hu.uza. which. though slight, Redeemed
h.r nose and eyes TO an unbecoInins
extent. Therefore. she considered her
self hous.bound. Al i:t5 she had sent
upstairs for her niece. suggesting that
they take tea ,ogc,hcc by the library
nro..
Without preliminary She broa che d
the suhjcc, she had in mind This
was her disa ppointmcn. that Cynthia
should have declined this afternoon:
invitation and that she cvinccd such
ali aversion for society.
Cynthia answered. slowly and
thoughtfuily. Il do not mean 10 be
unfair TO anybody, Aunt Amanda" She
sail. "Nor--cNcEsc mc--can see wiz,
my not going to the Dclaneld reccp-
ton hurt any ono. Mrs. De!aiie!d asked
me only through courtesy. She has
met me but once Dora knows lots
OF people who viii be there; 50 she
does not miss me. As for myself
Well have little heart for that kind
o. thing. never cared much Tor big
soc:al functions. | cafe less than ever
for them now"
That's just it," Mrs Livingstone
argued. II this keeps OH you Will be
come recluse. You say you do not
know 10 whom II Is unfair. Forgive
Dora loves YOU and wants you TO meet
her friends Yet when She has pro-
posed thcater parties for YOU four
young pcopi.-that i. you girls. NH
ton and MIR. Stewart--you have de-
INJURED and asked her 10 go without
you"
No Rcfutniiop.
She paused, and cynthia uttered no
r"futaJ!on OF these charges. She
would not confess that she felt II
strange reluctance TO be much with
Van Saun She told herself that this
WAS because h. was Dora's property.
she did not wan; tho Intimate friend
ship o. a man who would soon bc the
husband OF another woman.
villa; arc YOU thinking OF" Mrs.
Livingstone demanded
Cynthia spoke Il part Of the truth.
THAT II must be pl.asanter for Dora
TO 20 about alone with M Van Saun.
Under tho circumstances, another girl
would he IN tho way"
Nothing OF the kind" Mrs. Living
stone con,raGicted "rha;'is ridiculous
for Mr. stewart is slad 10 make the
fourth IN the party. lie calls here
often. and u Is not TO sec Miltons
bctrothed OF course. SO IL mus, be TO
see YOU
on The exclamation escaped
Cynthia Il never thought Of his com
ing 10 see me particularly, Honestly.
II never occurred 10 me-"
Mrs. Livingstone leaned forward and
pinched the girls check
Innocence" she leased. Your
uncle and have noticed IL. and we arc
glad 10 have such a nice young man
a. Mr. Stewart on friendly terms with
You. Dear child. YOU must think Of
your future. hate TO say it--but
Your uncle feels this even moro than
do"
Uncle feels this" Cynthia repeated
iucrcdulously VIVA, do you mean?
"A
here with vow kind people IN YOU.
lovely home, why should Uncle and the
rest OF YOU care whether 60 out into
society. or like Young mon, or attend
,hcatcrs, or do any o; these things"
There Wa a pregnant pause. Mrs.
Livingstone Wa looking at tho ire
but something IN her face made the
girl watching her catch her breath.
Wont YOU explain. Aunt Amanda -"
~.
Of You. In, do not understand what
j, is AL about Docs j, oisplcasc uncic
STEPHEN and YOU TO have me stay quiet
~ at home when NY heart is not in
gay and merry things" am happy
really am; only | cannot feel quite
comfortable going out in society so
soon after my dear fathers death"
That is ono reason why YOU should
GO Mrs, livingstone insisted, because
you have no father. Were he here
st!l he might look after YOU in the
years ahead OF yon. AS it is. you will
nc thrown upon yourself. Therefore,
it is wroni; and foolish to cast aside
oil chance to meet people who may he
OF value 10 YOU. 1t is silly and unwise
10 avoid any eligible man who may
want io marry you. 1t is this that
mates your uncle and me anxious, my
child
'But why should | nlarry?" Cynthia
demanded. trying 10 speak calmly and
10 rcrrcss any sign Of INDIGNATION.
Why should plan for my future:
Am in tho way here, Aunt Amanda +?
Please tell me truly and candidly
IL ! am"
While the elderly woman looked at
her kindly, there was no loving pity
in her cool. gray cycs--only "A rcrrc,
a, having TO say something dis
agreeable.
My dear, suppose ] send Your uncle
III to talk with you she suggested
II hear his key in tho front door now
Eut before he comes | want to assure
YOU that it makes us all--your uncle
Dora and mc-most happy 10 have you
in our home. But it is also matter
OF anxiety to your uncle and me that
your future Is so uncertain
With which problematical remark
Mrs Livingstone arose, opened tho
library door and summoned her huS-
band.
CiNTIlA'S UNCLE TELLS HER THAT
HER FATHER LEFT ONLY \
FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS