Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-09
glad you have come! Take of your
hat, please. Hurry. dear"


GERALD TELLS CYNTHIA HE LOVES
HER AND MRS. LIVINGSTONE
GETS A SURPRISE.
CHAPTER NNXI.
What is the matter"' Cynthia
asked. astonishcd at her Cousins aai-
tation. Why should take off my hat
down here? Will run up and leave
1t and my coat in my room"
mo. dear-plcasc do as I say"' Dora
insisted in nervous whisper Il will
explain later"
She had already seized Cynthia's hat
pins in her trembling fingers and had
begun to draw them out. CHANGING ap-
prehcnsivcly toward the stairs as she
ala SO. Although a loss TO account
for the strange behavior. Cynthia did
as she was asked. and removed her
hat and coat hastily.
Now 20 into the library and sec
Gerald. Dora ordered. Il will whisk
your 'hihES away UP to your room.
| Will be back after a while
Before the other could protest. Dora
had pushed Cynthia toward the open
door OF the library and had hurried
swiftly and noisclcssly down the han
TO the rear stairs
why was she going up the back
stairs. and what was all the mystery
ABOUT cynthia marvcicd. Well. it
was none of her business to question
at this tuncture All she could do was
10 comply with Dora's appealing re-
quest.
Pushing aside the por,!eres. CYNTHIA
entered tho library. AS usual. an omen
fire biazcd on the hearth. and in front
Of 1t stood Gerald Stewart. AS nc
came forward TO greet her, she saw
that his face was very pale.
Good afternoon" she spoke in a..
mattcr-of-fact tone as she could
Inutter. Dora sent me in here"
she has told you" he began. then
checked himself as she shook her head.
Dora told inc nothing"
Have you seen Mrs. Livingstone ?"
Yes" she answered, Il have seen
Aunt Amanda"
Her thoughts few back to the talk
he and her aunt had had couple OF
hours ago.
Both in tho Dark.
And she told you"-Stcwart began.
awkwardly-"I know ,she suspects
tnat she must have seen how much
care He stopped, noundcring hope
lessly in his cmbar-assmcnt-his face.
Just now SO pale. flushing hotly
Cynthia. watching him. felt sud
den confirmation Of her recently
formed theories.
Il am sorry. Gerald" she said.
humhly. that matters have gone SO
i
suspected that YOU cared for mc-in
that way. L mean"
She. too, stopped, amazed at the
sudden change that swept across the
countenancc OF the man before her.
lie stepped quickly forward and caught
her by tho hand.
1T is true" he said. harshly, This
'hing That Mrs. Livingstone has sus-
Scstcd?"
She was too much dazcd to hear the
note OF inquiry In his voice. and
thought that he had made statement
10 which sh, could but concur.
y did not know-did not suspect
how matters were"
Thou, her self-control deserving her.
she turned from him sharply. snatch.
ing her hand from his.
oh! she exclaimed. everything is
wrong! don, know what TO do,''
There was long silence. during
which the cracking of the fire sounded
very loud. Tho girl crossed the room
a: the blazing logs.
she thought She understood II all
now. This man loved her He had
revealed this--perhaps unintcntionally
Ito Mrs Livingstone. lie had prob
ably confessed il to Dora. or she had
suspected IT, and, seeing his unhappi-
ness. had sent the object OF his affec-
TONS in here where he could be alone
with her. And now he had as good as
told Cynthia that he loved her
Conditions which she had inviting
" brought upon herself seemed to be
hemminE her in. She could not ex-
tricaie herself without making this
man wretched-sincc. as seemed Ger.
tain. he loved her If 1t were Milton
She clenched her hands. She must
not think of Milton
She heard Gerald crossing the rom
toward her. but she did not look up.
lie came and stood close 10 her takinr
one OF her hands in his
Dear Cynthia" he said gently. won
say YOU do not know what TO do.
Why not marry me-"
He Kisses Her.
She did not move. She could not
reply.
precious thing as yourself" the steady
voice went on. Il will try to keen Won
from being sorry YOU trusted me r.
VIII try TO be worthy OF YOU shall
nave TO be very good man. dear, to
be worthy OF your affection"
Then she looked up. She must try
TO speak the truth. if She could do So
before il WAS TOO late
fcrhaps. she faltered. you may not
consider such affection as / can give
lie interrupted her. IF it is SUI
hcient TO make YOU willing to marry
me 1t IS far more than l deserve" he
said.
When She did not reply. he put his
arm about her and kissed her gently.
almost revcrcntIy
will try to be worthy of you.
dear" he repeated.
Dora. Mrs. Livingstone called
sharply from the hall.
y second later she had swent as;de
ne portieres. hut she stopped short on
the threshold of the library.
thought Dora was here" she siam
incred Why. Cynthia--whon did Won
get nome? did not even know Won
were in. ! was sure Dora was i'm hero
with MIR. Stewart"
am here. mother" Dora called
from the foot OF the sta,rs. Did Won
want me? ! heard you asking for me"
hut Tor moment Mrs. Livingstone |
was too much dazed to answer.
Go Sc Continucd0
USING CORN BREAD