Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-02
CYNTHIA RECEIVES \ Bon OF
ROSES. But CAN ONLY GUESS
WHO SENT THEM To HER
CHAPTER yNNII

Dora peeped into Cyn,hius room on
her ay downstairs.
i Viii send Marie UP with a tray
OF dinner for you" she informed her
cousin. when She saw that she was
awake
40, dear please don't" Cynthia be-
gan. Il am not hungry"
But you must eat something" Dora
insisted. IF YOU won't eat a regular
dinner | VIII bring YOU some soup
excuse for coming back here, for /
fancy mother is "a bit disTlcased with
me. And it will not be hilarious down
there alone with her and father. She
took me AT my word for heard the
front door close awhile ago, and there
has been silence below ever since.
Which proves that Milton and Gerald
have gone away"
MIR Van Saun expected them back
TO dinner. YOU know" Cynthia re-
minded her. That is probably the
reason they LEFT"
I hone so. and that mother did not
deliver my peevish decision verbatim
TO Milton
He would not he vexed with you if
she did Cynthia consoled her, He
would not misunderstood YOU"
Perhaps not Dora agreed dubious
~. ANYWAY If ne was vcNed he can
get over it-,haus all. should
worry"
With which bit OF slams she ran on
downstairs leaving cynthia alone again
10 her thoughts
Cynthia had spoken truly when she
expressed the belief that her aunt
would say nothing 10 veX Milton. The
girl knew that Mrs. Livingstone APP
proved too thoroughly Of her daugn-
ter's enlargement 10 introduce note
tina, might be discordan,. In fact.
cynthia had been sure that the match
had been aided and abctted by both
families.
II this were SO. was Edward Van
Saun beginning TO doubt it, after ALL
Dora ras As much in love with his son
as the father had supposed her TO be?
Cynthia nigh, be fanciful but surely
he had looked bit disappointed at
Dora's light mention of her coming
marriage.
How could she talk so hippantly OF
marrying Milton Van Saun? Yet Mil
ton himself-in spite OF his tender
sympathetic nature-shoued no depth
OF sentiment when he referred 10 his
betrothed. Were they suited to each
other?
Rather Homesick.
Cynthia recalled unwillinEly her
aunt's teasing remark about Gerald
Stewart Did Mrs. Livingstone imagine
She could bring abou; a marriage he
tween hor niece and this man: Dora
was certainly not III accord with the
idea. Indeed. Dora seemed TO resent
her mothers scheme.
Cynthia lay. her eyes closed and her
lips compressed. as a great wave OF
homesickness swept over her. How
different was all this kind Of thing
from the simple yet comfortable life
she had led with her father! In her
Girlhoods home the things that were
Of the spirit mattered more than the
things OF the world. There had al
ways been peace. comfort. plenty, out
6l&.
advancement
1t was surely a sign OF the ravages
disease had wrought in The mental
condition OF her father. that in his
last days he had yielded 10 the temp
tation to increase his fortunes by one
grand coup. Or had it been because
he wished To protect his child from the
very conditions she was now facing
dependence upon others or the ncccs-
sity Of making marriage OF con-
venierce"
Tears welled through her closed lids
and rolled down her checks. She
would not allow herself to cry vio-
lently. but she was misera bile.
a knock at the door startled her.
Come in" she called. wiping her eyes
swiftly.
~ box OF flowers for you. Miss Long"
Marie announced entering.
Lay il on the table. please" Gym
thia ordered.
will | not turn on the light. ma'am?''
the girl asked. Then YOU can see
better"
NO. let it walt for while Marie"
Cynthia told her. My head aches"
She WAS afraid that the mcrciless
glare might reveal 10 the curious maid
that she had been shedding tears Yet.
when the girl had gone away. Cynthia
arose and turned on the electric light.
then looked at the box lying on the
table. 1t bore the name OF fashion
able florist. Who could have sent 1t
to her?
Merely n SurInisc.
christening the string, she removed
the lid. revealing = mass OF huge pink
roses on their bed OF cotton
There was no card to show from
whom they came. The address on the