The Washington times., 1918-05-15
THE FOUR OF
HEARTS
DOra's Father Takes Excep-
ton to Her Attitude on
Her Marriage.
By Virginia Terhune Van
de Water.
CHAPTER LW
~
CHAPTER INl
Copyright, 1914. By STIR O..

Sr1AF En- INi
Copyright, 1919. By STIR O.
~HE could not marry Gerald
Stewart
- That was the conviction that
impressed itself upon Cynthia
Longs mind after she parted from
Milton Van Saun.
Instead OF going directly to her
uncle's house, she crossed Fifth
Avenue into Central. Park, walk
ing rapidly, as II the exercise would
help calm her mental turmoil
She had always known that
loveless marriage was a sin Yet
she had promised to enter into sucn
Q union. She had done this be-
cause she was sorry for a man
whom she liked and respected and
who, she believed. loved her. But
this afternoon Edward Van Saun.
with a manner that made her feel
as II her own father were speaking
through him, had said things that
recalled that fathers teachings.
Then Milton Van Ssun had voiced
exactly the same sentiments, and
her heart had echoed them. she
remembered now the look in his
blue eyes
But she must forget that look
That had nothing to 60 with what
her conscience was saying 20 her
She must not marry a man she did
not love r.. rst.
what about Gerald himself
Would he not suffer in the break
ing Of his engagement?
1t WAS the weak part OF her ma
ture that asked this question OF
her sterner self She answered IL
promptly. Even II he did suffer,
It would be kinder to allow him 10
endure that pain than to deceive
him with the prospect OF an i'm
possible happiness.
4 fine rain like a Scotch mist
had begun to fan. but she did not
notice It, until. looking up the Mail.
she saw BE electric lights reflected
IN the Whining pavement Then.
with a sudden appreciation that her
coat was damp, and that 1T was
lste. she turned about and retrAced
her steps quickly
It was seven o'clock when she
reached home. The butler who adj
mitted her told her that dinner had
just been announced. At the head
OF the stairs she met her aunt.
Dora Out of Hearing.
You are late. my dear" MIS-.
Livingstone remarked. "why-you
are Wet: Had you no umbrella"
NO" Cynthia admitted. i did
not notice that It was raining"
Dora has gone to bed with a
headache" Mrs. Livingstone in
formed her. Please make no noise
In your room. I have shut Dora's
doors so that your light WI not
waken her. ! hope she IS asleep.
Hurry and change your wet things"
Don't wait dinner for me. please.
Aunt Amanda" Cynthia urged. Il
do not want any soup. and will just
begin where the rest OF you are
when get downstaIrs."
Il win have your soGp kept hot
until you come down" the matron
rejoined Eravely. You must not
neglect your health. Cynthia. You
will be as tired and worn al poor
Dora IS IL YOU do not take better
care Of yourself Oh. by the way.
Gerald teIephoned while ago. lie
will call this evening unless you
send him word to the contrary. lie
said he did not want TO intrlde.
But told him. Of course. you would
wish him 10 come"
Thank you" Cynthia muruured
turning away and going toward
her room.
She must break the truth 20 Ger
aid this evening. she realized. with
p sudden sinking OF heart She had
hoped he would not call tonight.
and that she might defer the pain
fuI scene for enIy-fOur hours.
hut she would not Ehirk Il now.
She had put her hand 10 the plough
that must drive a straight. direct
fUrrow- She dared rot look back
Very softly cynthia went about
her room. changing her damp clothes
for dry ones. No movement from
Dora's apartments.
Only a few minutes had elapsed
when Cynthia Long presented her
self az the dinner table Mrs. Liv-
inEstons regarded her in surprise
We'll. my dear: you dressed very
quickly" she approved. Did YOU
hear any sound from Dora's room"
Tot Much Satisfaction.