Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-12
"CindereHd'S
Daughter"
SYNOPSIS
BY HAZEL DEYO BACHELOR
Copyright 1919, by Pablio Ledger Co.

Virginia West enters boarding
school and becomes very friendly
with Kathleen Foster. one of the
Older girls Virginia gives to Kath
leen girlish alteration. but there is
strain Of solidity in Nirginia's
character that Kathleen cannot reach
and influence. try as she may, Kath-
leen puzzles Virginia with her sudden
engagement to man she has only
Just met and n man whom Virginia
meets through Kathleen falls under
irginia spell. Both girls are to
spend the holidays. at Nirginia's home
In the city. and Mrs West who is
planning to take care of two school
girls is astonished when they arrive.
VlRGlNlA' never having approached
her mother with anything but little
girl condolences, could have no idea
how Mrs, West would feel about any
thing clse. But when Virginia spoke
with that warm notc in her voice Mrs,
West knew that she could have but one
thought in her mind. n man.
You know. Mother" Virginia be
gan tentatively. things are so differ
ent mt school
Different from WHAT"
on from things here at home. Peo-
pie don't seem to think the same about
things and, Of course | never met any
men here. only your friends--nevcr any
one my own age.
And so you have met some one your
owu age ut school?'
Yes, and I'm so eager for you to
meet him. Mother
Nirgina's checks were flushed and
her eyes were bright. This was the
first time she had ever talked with her
mother on an equal basis. She had
always stood somewhat in awe Of this
lovely mother Of hers; she had loved
to watch Mrs. West sitting in her
frilly ncgigee before tho dressing table
strewn with costly tribes. putting a
finer. polish on the already shining nails.
Vouchiug the huge puff to her delicate
Shoulders and leaving a fine film of
powder over the glass top Of the table
under which was stretched cobwebby
lace of the finest quality.
Mrs. West would laugh with amused
tolerance at Nirginia's S absorbed face
ss she would catch the big black eyes
fixed on her in the mirror. Then she
would say:
Have you done your lessons for to
morrow"
And Virginia would nod quick yes.
"All Of thcm?' Mrs. West would be
eager to be rid of the child.
YES: there wasn't much.
"Why don't you read then. There's
new magazine on the table in the
living room -
"I'd rather watch you, Mother.
And thare had beer something flatter-
ing abo't j.. something new and fresh
in the gaze Of her daughters wide
eyes. arC ve' something disquieting and
disconcertiLs at that,
Today n. Mrs. West looked at Vir
yinia there was less Of the old ad
...l. IT oteo ,Oht
maraderie that one unconsciously gives
to an eoral. Virginia knew her mother
was admired; now she, too, had an
admirer and she was eager for her
mother to know it. 1t made Mrs. West
feel suddenly old. 1t was one thing
to have n daughter who could be ac-
counted for as schoolgirl and quite
another thing to have chic young
woman descend upon her in this fash
ion, dangerous young woman Mt that,
because of that wonderful passion,
youth.
Mrs. West rose from the couch,
futtering her draperies and leaving
behind her a scent of French perfume.
4 She yawned prettily and patted her
daughter on the head.
"You must tell me about it some
other time, dear; I must dress for
dinner now / hope you and Kath
leen are not going to be silly about
boys at your age, Virginia, it's so
foolish
Kathleen came in with her blonde
hair brushed straight back from her
broad white forehead and her beauti-
full head thrown back. Her presence
irritated Mrs West still more. A girl
had no business to be so lovely that
her hair could be arranged as simply
as that. Her own soft brown tresses
were curled and arranged with scrupu-
lous punctility every day.
81 am going out for dinner Mrs.
West went on quite clearly. Han
nah will give you girls your dinner at
6, and hope you will go to bed early.
You're probably used to regular
hours" And with a brilliant little
smile Mrs. West trailed her draperies
out Of the room
Kathleen and Virginia were left alone
in the charming living room with its
Wedge wood bowl OF roses on the open
piano and a small fire burning in the
crate. Over it on the maptelpiece a
French clock licked out the time lazily,
beneath the windows many stories
flowed New York, and here they were
dismissed like two children and told to
10 to bed early.
NJ AIIa,s .,ta,..