The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-01-18
THE FOUR OF
HEARTS
Cynthia Gets a Cordial
Welcome from Her
New York Aunt
By Virginia Terhune Var
de Water.
CHAPTER VI.
Copyright. ISis. stsr coapaay.

YNTHIA Long walked slowly
along the platform Of the
great New York station. her
eyes fixed on the red-eapped porter
carrying her bag and suitcase. She
had supposed that someone would
be there TO meet her. but as this was
not so she told the porter 10 take
her bag into the main waiting
room. II nobody came for her
"oh. father! Here she is,- =.
Cynthia's speculations we're cut
short by a sudden apparition In
furs Who flung her arms about her
and kissed her rapturousiy. Be-
hind her was Stephen LivinEstone.
his hat In one hand the other
stretched towards her.
How do you do. my. dear he
said. bending TO kiss her quickly on
the cheek. - was looking for you. Z
but Dora spied you before 1 did
"FRtherwas sure would not re-,
member you. but knew ! would.
Dora explained II reeognizsd
your lovely hair. When you Wsrs +
a kid I used to call II red and Be
glad mine was brown Now ! envy,
you that gorgeous auburn mop
The car Is out here" Mr.. Living
stone told his niece. II will airoet
the porter 70 e."
Dora's words flowed on IN
happy current. II Cynthia rspiisd.
well and good. II not. the cues
TONER scarcely seemed 10 notice H.
This Is what I call fun" DorA
announced, when she and her
cousin were seated IN the huge
limousine. You're going back to
the office. father
Yes" the man. replied I have
several affairs to attend to before
i come uptown. Casper can take
you young ladies' home. then coma
for me. will see you At dinner.
my dear" he added With a bow 70
Cynthia I'VE are glad you are
to be with u.s.
, He lifted his hat and was g0aA
Cynthia admired his courtly maDs
ners and tried not to wish that he
were a little less formal with her. :
Father Is a dear to have buBi-
ness to attend to just now" Dora
observed. for we could not talk
as freely together u he were along.
He Is just as glad to see you, BY
the way. as 10 he gusned more"
"He was very kind TO suggest
my coming to his home when ] was
so much in need of somebody 70
turn to- Cynthia said gravely. Il
hope he knows how grateful l an.
A Hearty Welcome.
Grateful: Nonsense." her com.
panion exclaimed. We're tiekled
to death to have you Did you
get my letter.. -
Indeed Cynthia assured
her. 1T made all the difference
in the world u pe- I read 1t over
and over" sttlt
Mrs. Livingstone came out Of the
library at one side OF the han AZ
the butler opened the front door for
the two girls
my dear Cynthia" she ex-
claimed. hurrying forward = and
kissing the new arrival "Welcoms
hone-for hope you VIII regard
this as your home. my dear. WIN
you come into the library and have
your tea now. or would you prefer
going upstairs and removing your
hat and coat hrst?S
Before Cynthia could reply. Dora
broke in with
"Oh. let's have our tea nov.
motheri I know that Cynthia n
tired and starving for something
hot It's an awfuily cold day" Hho
added with a SILVER.
Mrs. LIvtnEStone smiled induI-
gently, as II Dora had been a small
child. Cynthia. my dear" she. re-
peated. which would you preferfs
II will come In and have nv tsa
now. thank you" the girl aid.
Seated In front Of the blasting h
brary IRE. Cynthia watched her
aunt and listened to her perfectly
modulated accents
One of the Family. s
Yes, Dora was right Aunt ArnaAA
was certainly conventional. aIthousI
most kind and gracious She "a
the sort OF person to say the CORES
thing in the correct way upon Al
occasions.
Tea finished. Dora jumped Up.
Let's go upstairs. Cynthia"
she proposed. Your room Is right
across the hall from mine. and
there's a little room In between with
connecting doors. So we can rus
back and forth to see each other
without going out into the hall
I usually keep that door shut when
we have company I'm your room.
But you are not company. only one
OF the family now-so shall
leave that door open all the time"
NV dear child" Mrs. Living
stones tone was aTectionate, but
slightly reproving. suppose YOU
allow your cousin to become accus-
toned to you and your hGrum-
scarum ways before you decide
that YOU and she are to be as in
separable as you evidently wish
"Oh. but we shall be INSOFAR
able" Cynthia exclaimed. 1T makes
me happy TO believe we will"
That Is sweet Of you," Mrs LiV-
inEstone said gently. And now.
my dear. shall send my maid up
to unpack your bags for you. or
would you prefer waiting until your
trunks come. They will be here
Soon
"Oh. can unpack for MYSELF.
thank you. Aunt Amanda" the girl
replied.
That must be as you prefer
Mrs. Livingstone remarked. But II
you need a maid. call for mine"
She was very kind. the girl re-
nect.d Is she followed her cous,n
upstairs. But she wished she wers
little less polite and little .morS
aneC;ion7te
CTO Re coHttaasd-J