El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-03-15
4 Serial OF Life and Lo0e
CHAPTER LVIII.

CYNTHIA LONGS father had often
- told her that the prospect OF an
ordeal was always more. terrifying
than the actual facing Of it. The girl
recalled this statement now as she
greeted Gerald Stewart in the library.
Her heart had beaten fast as she
descended the stairs from Dora's
room. Now she felt strangely calm.
The man held out his hands to her.
and she laid hers in his grasp. But
she did not raise her face for his ac-
customed kiss. Heretofore she had
felt it her duty TO DO this.
Il am glad TO have a chance TO talk
to you alone. Gerald she said. Uncle
and aunt are out; Dora has gone to
bed with a headache"
She is not i'll, is shee'
The query was so anxious that Gym
lhia was surprised
NO, indeed" she replied. "She IS
tired-and worried"
Il am sorry," he said in a low
BE did not ask what Dora was
worried about Cynthia noticed.
Perhaps he considered it none OF
his business.
she closed the door before sitting
w IA want 10 Aa SUI AAaAA 4AAA
conversation IS not overheard she
explained.
Her companion looked at her in
CuirinEly- There was an uneasy eZ-
preston on his face. as il he we're
afraid that she was going TO ques-
I want to talk to you about my
self" she began, land I must ask you
20 be very patient with me, and TO
believe that am saying that which
is painful to me, but which must
say because my conscience tells me
I must"
Gerald Is Patient.
Re bowed without speaking. He
had seated himself IN a Norris chair
near her, and now rested his head on
his hand. shading his eyes from the
light With her subjective mind Gym
chia wondered why he need protect
his eyes from such a sottened glow
as that shed by the shaded lamps.
Yet she was glad that she need not
meet his direct gaze.
You know" she said. how hap
pened TO come TO live here-so I will
not 60 into all that Suffice it 10 say
that had no home Later, / learned
that had not enough money ever TO
establish my own home ] was lone
~ was unhappy. You we're kind 10
ne. Ny aunt told me OF your unhap-
pIuess and loneliness. That awakened
my EymparhieS for you. 1t was pleas
ant TO have your Iriendship-for you
understood how I felt Then-Aunt
Amanda told me that you cared for
The man started slightly. but did
not speak.
You were very good TO me" Gym
thia continued. 7 felt like an alien
here. In spite OF DOra's affection for
me. feared 10 become a burden
When you asked me 70 marry you.
said I would"
How was she TO go on with the
recital She grasped the arms Of her
chair tightly ana spoke rapidly.
Gerald. had no right to accept
your love, for I did not return it
cannot marry you-f0r I do not love
you. Ohg' pressing her hands TO her
eyes-'it Is dreadful 10 have waited
until nov 70 say this. 7 thought 4
could continue the deception. But,
Gerald. 1 cznnotI'
Her hands were still pressed to her
eyes. She was afraid 10 look up. She
heard the man rise. A second later he
was bending over her.
Cynthia dear child" he was say
ing, cont accuse yourself like this,
We VIII always be friends"
That is not enough" she muir
INJURED. we should not marry for
that Oh, Gerald believe in love"
And The Man Agrees
7 believe in IT, too" the man said.
full, rich tones. Cynthia look at me
Let me tel you how right I think you
are"
An idea smote her, as II a brilliant
Hight was suddenly flashed upon
subject that had been obscure until
now She dropped her hands from
her eyes and sprang 10 her feet, fac
ing him as she stood smiling down at
her, very kind and compassionate. but
not sad
''Geraldi@ she exclaimed breathless-
3. why Gerald-you are not in love
with melT
He caught her hands in his. But
want you as friend, dear" he said.
his voice quivering with feeling. "Oh-
Cynthia. We have come near doing a
great wrong, dear.
Sit down. she ordered imperiOus-
L, .and tell me about It."
He told her as gently as he could