Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-14

|FlVingStone declared. Il do not re-
fnembcr ever having seen her in quite
Fuch ridiculous state. l almost lost
patience with her, she was so absurd.
f5ut after l had talked with her. and
fhe had rested a while, she was more
PIKE herself, although she insisted that
per head ached SO badly that she
%anted to go TO bed"
II Stephen Livingstone spoke his mind
with decision.
Il hope, Cynthia. that IL you happen
70 be with Dora when she Is as hysteri-
|Eai and as unreasonable as she was
Phis afternoon. you Will discourage
Ruch nonsense For that is what IL is
as her mother and made her ac-
knowledge at last. must ask you 10
|Pack US UP in this"
Il hope she will be much better in
he morning" She said lamely.
And with this response Mr. and Mrs.
Iftephen Livingstone had to hc content.
poRA TELLS CYNTHIA SHE HAS DE-
ClDED TO TELL. MILTON THAT
SHE DOESN'T LOVE HIM.
CHATTER LVIi.
Mr.. and Mrs. Livingstone had tickets
! Tor the thea,er this evening. There
lore, soon after dinner. the car came
or them and they went away. leaving
3Eynthia alone.
You Will not be lonely however"
. PRS. Livingstone remarked. smiiingiy.
For the Prince Charming viii be here
boon. I know you and he have much
o talk about these days, for the we'd
Ping Is drawing rapidly near. And
nder such conditions young people
tnd their plans a neverfailing sub
lect OF conversations"
The face into which she looked did
4 bot hush. Indeed. the matron fancied
= for moment that 1t paled slightly.
cynthia was peculiar. she reflected.
fhe. Mrs. Livingstone. would feel
4 act No.
fhe had worked hard to bring about
his match. She WAS sure. Of course.
hat It would come of all right. and
ret the prospective bride appeared 80
fnenthusastic and noncommittal.
Cynthia, left TO her own devices,
frawing-room. then straycd into the
library. The fire was not lighted here.
Tor the evening was mild. The shaded
lamps made the room very attractive
Mind coy. but she did not sit down. y
lpirit OF restiessness possessed her.
She went out into the hall and
slanced up the stairs. Was Dora
wake? AS II in answer TO her ques-
ion. Marie. Mrs. Livingstonc's maid.
ppeared In the door leading to the
ear OF the house.
Miss Doras bells just rung." she
emarked. I'll go UP and see what
he wants"
Cynthia Goes.
Don't bother. Marie-Ill go myself"
cynthia said. If she wants you. l will
ing again"
oh. Gym, is that YOU" Dora asked
8 her cousin came into her room. Il
ang for Marie just to find out where
GU were"
Tn, glad I came instead OF Marie.
hem" Cynthia rejoined. DO YOU want
Omething to eat dear"
NO" Dora answered with n little
hudder OF disgust. Mother made me
AXE some toast and tea before ! went
o sleep. have had long nap. and
ny head is better. What are you
ding this evening""
ing later. Is there anything / can do
or you before them"
Yes" Dora admitted Come and
tit down here IN the dark By me and
ak to me. I'm awfully forlorn,"
Are you sure ! wont make your
cad worse?" Cynthia queried. Your
bother wants You To keep quiet"
81 You Will not make my head worse,
nd don't care what mother wants"
Dora retorted. What she does not
know won't hurt her. And she won't
know you have been with me-
Cynthia drew chair up to the side
her cousins bed II am sorry you
rave been suffering SO. dear" she
Unparalleled
"oh-cyn-its not my head that
che. acknowledge. But that was
My because I was SO unhappy. may
3 well say II frankly--for | let myself
20 this afternoon, you know all
bout II. don't want to get married.
,yn."
Then why do you?" Cynthia asked
You know why" the girl burst
orth. Father and mother expect it.
10 does Milton"
You don't love Milton"
The words were not accusatory
hey were more like the simple state.
nent OF a sclf-evident fact.
Dora Agrees With Her.
no, I don't" Dora agreed. II used
o think that I cared enough about
i'm to marry him-but now know
don't. Something can't tell you
What 1t is-has changed my whole
iewpoint. ] have put it from me. and
aushed at It. and Knocked at it-and
ow II has turned upon me and torn
ne to pieces. Oh. Cyn-what shall |
tell Milton the truth. Dora. That
the honest and fair thing You
Fould do him a foul Injustice IL you
,ere to marry him without loving him
Why Dora-it would be n sim
How do you know" Dora demanded
ut IL you did not. would you tell him
GU did not?"
There was n long silence. Then
ynthia spoke.
Dora would have to. II man
harried me without loving me l would
s-cr forgive hiH."
Dora's nand sought hers in the dark
nd gripped it tightly. "Do you mean
hat Cyn?"
II mean just that. Dora" Cynthia
INSISTED
But II man broke off his engage
nent to you because he did not love
on, would you not hate and despise
m?"
mot II he told mo the truth" Gym
|hia replied. IF l were very much in
oye with him 1t would hurt But It
you'd not ruin my life as it would
we're TO marry him without loving
linn"
Another silence. broken at last by
bora.
~ have made up my mind" she said
NJ a low voice, ito tell Milton the
whole truth. And, Cynthia, do you
now, I don't believe it's going to hurt
i'm much. I-I-well, ] have seen men
love-and Milton was never like
hat.
mo" after few minutes OF thought.
h am sure 1t will not hurt him. But"
with sudden catching Of her breath
"think OF what father and mother