Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-03-13
CHATTER XVIII
Copyright, 1918, Star Co.

Copyright, 1918, Star Co.
| The second act of the play was
| over. 1t was an amusing farce and
| four of the party in the right stage
box had laughed heartily.
Cynthia had forced herself to
| smile when she saw that a smile
was expected of her. But she felt
out of her element in this place and
amid such gay surroundings. Yet,
as she knew well, she had to make
the break sometime, and this even
ing she had taken the longest step
she had yet attempted on the road
planned for her by her relatives.
Gerald Stewart, too, seemed less
responsive to the spirit of the oc-
casion than might have been ex-
pected., When the curtain went
down after the second act Dora
rallied him for his solemnity.
why don't you laugh?" she de-
manded. Don't you think the play
is funny?"
He smiled down into her uplifted
eyes. Il think it's very amusing"
he replied. Didn't 1 laugh suf-
ficiently?"
/ no, and neither did Cynthia"
she accused. Did you. GYM
Cynthia was talking to her uncle
diiu IuAheu at tHe Souhu VI HeF
name.
Did I do what?" she queried.
well, you didn't" Dora ex-
claimed. 80 what's the good of
asking?"
She was silent for a moment.
looking musingly from Gerald to
Cynthia. Then she spoke, suddenly.
"Cyn, did you thank either of the
boys for your fiowers-T mean, for
the lovely pink roses you got the
night of your accident?"
The question produced a marked
effect on several members of the
group.
Cynthia flushed crimson, Mrs.
Livingstone glanced significantly at
Gerald Stewart, while Gerald him
self looked from Dora to Cynthia
and back again. Milton appeared To
be suddenly absorbed in reading his
program.
did you GYM" Dora repeated.
"Why-no," Cynthia said, con-
fusedly. You know with a little
Taught was not sure who sent
the flowers. There was no card
with them, you know"
An. Awkward Situation
Mrs. Livingstone laughed-an ar
tificial sound that was not .mirth-
full.
Girls nowadays are so will
fully dull" she exclaimed. Gym
thia knows perfectly well who sent
those roses.
Cynthia caught her breath and
Milton glanced up, quickly.
WELL" he interrogated. who
did send them, Mrs. Livingstone?"
The matron smiled knowingly
you will have to ask Cynthia" she
parried.
Dora, suddenly contrite at the
position in, which her impulsive
question had placed her cousin,
spared her the necessity of a reply.
THE flowers were sent to Gym"
she said in a decided manner. 80
had no business to ask what |
did. 1t is her own business. and
none of mine, or anyone's else, who
they came from"
Whom they came from. T ra
dear" her mother corrected.
We'll, whom they came from
then! They were sent to her, not
to u.s."
Cynthia spoke a little tremU
lously. I am grateful to the per-
son who sent them" she said with
the shadow of smile. They we're
lovely roses"
A couple of men, friends of Dora's
recognizing the Livingstone party,
entered the box at this juncture,
and further comment was impossi-
BILE. When the men had been intro
duced to Cynthia, had chatted a
| few minutes and taken their de-
parture. the curtain rose on the
third act of the comedy, and Gym
thia leaned back with a sigh of re-
lief. The strain would soon be
over.
But when the play was ended,
| Gerald Stewart made proposal
to which the others agreed prompt
ly. 1t was that they all repair to
| the Astor for something to eat be-
fore going home. Cynthia, inward
] ly shrinking from the ordeal, was
learning her lesson to well to speak
n dissenting word.
AS the party crossed the side
walk to get into the car, she found
herself piloted through the crowd
by Milton Van Saun. Hsis hand
held her elbow. Right in front,
Gerald Stewart was moving along
slowly with Dora.
Milton Is Sympathetic
do you mind going to the AS
tor, Cynthia" Milton asked in n
| low lOnt. IL udu any i0cd HOW
hard 1t would be for you this even
ing would never have suggested the
party"
sense of compunction and an
appreciation of her seeming in
gratitude seized the girl.
''It was lovely of you to get up
the AFFAIR." she exclaimed. please
don't talk like that, Milton. l am
enjoying it, really"
The mass of people pressing for
ward toward automobiles and cabs
surged against them and they were
forced to pause for a second.
Little hilbert Milton murmured.
you know that this evening has
| NOT heen nnnllnved nlaas1ra for