Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-02
CYNTHIA GETS OFT OF COMING
DOWN To DINNER AND DORA
TRIES TO REASSURE HER
WV

Mrs. Livingstone appeared At ths
door OF Cynthia's room by the time
that Dora had helped her cousin T.
divest herself Of hey ha, and Goa, and
had brought her wrapper from tbs
closet.
Lie down. dear" she vas saying as
Mrs. Livingstone entered.
Yes; lie down Mrs. LIVINGSTONE
hour in which to rest before YOU have
to set ready for dinner If you girl.
wish Will invite the two Young gentle
men 10 dine with US"
without replying. and Mrs Livingstone
VAS NOT sure that her daughter had
heard her proposal
What about II. CYNTHIA" the ma
tron addressed her niece. Would you
not like Mr.. stewart to remain to
dinner"
1T makes no difference TO me. Aunt
Amanda" Cynthia replied For. +,
YOU viii excuse me, Will not come
shaken up and am sure that IL would
ne we'll for me to keep quiet COR the
rest OF the evening"
That's too bad" Mrs. Livingstone
sympathized Suppose / send Marie
up TO rub your shoulder for you?"
Il do not need her. thank YOU" Gym
thia rejoined Her one wish was TO
have her aunt leave her alone. a little
rest will be better for me than any
she appealed to her cousin as she re-
turned after leaving her wraps IN her
own room. Mrs. Livingstone fastened
TO explain. Il was telling Cynthia that
TO remain TO dinner if she felt able to
come downstairs. But she prefers re-
naming up here. am sorry"
IL believe she should do what she
feels like doing" Dora remarked
We'll. will go down and tell Mr.
Stewart just how YOU are my dear"
Mrs. Livingstone addressed cynthia.
smiling significantly. He looked much
disturbed. and know he is anxious
al out you"
Cynthia flushed Il do not fancy he
is anxious" she demurred. Il see no
reason why he should be"
An Innucndo.
'Oh, dear little girl, her aunt leased.
''it is we'll that the rest of us are not
as blind As YOU are. Dora" turning to
her daughter. shall | keep Milton to
dinner? ] have no idea that his friend
will care to remain since Cynthia will
not appear below stairs.
Dora's eyes snapped in way that
+ might have been a warning that her
temper was rising.
why do YOU suggest that Gerald
would not stay unless Cynthia came
downstairs" she demanded brusquely.
What arc you driving at. mother
Her mother gazed at her rcprovingly.
Dora" she protested. you must be
nervous and overweight, or YOU could
hardly speak to me like that. ] simply
suggested that you might like Milton
to remain. and that"
Dora interrupted her. and that
Gerald would not care TO stay unless
he could see Cynthia. ] understand
what you mean, but | hardly see on
what you found your ideas. If Gerald
does not want to dine with us. he
needn't. I. for one. don't want him.
AS for Milton don't care to have
him stay. either. Kindly do not pro-
nose that he does it,"
Her mother stood motionless for
full half-minutc. her face stern. Then
without a word she started towards
the door.
Mother" Dora spoke tremulous!y.
."If ! was cross. I am sorry. ] guess
7 see things bit crooked because Of
nv scare about Cynthia"
perhaps you do" her mother adj
mitted unbending slightly from her
dignity. Il suppose ] should not have
made any suggestion about Milton.
Parents nowadays have little to say
in such matters"
With which martyr-like observation.
she went from the room. closing the
door behind her.
There. have hurt her feelings"
Dora burst forth. But she does try