The Washington times., 1920-07-07

- bTanuOn appeared AT tnc
. Paige gate.
Barbara arose and slipped quietly
into the house. Miss Cynthia sat
still. She had not been present
during the talk between Barbara
of absenting herself during the
coming interview.
But her brother had his own ideas
on the subject.
Good evening, John" rising to
greet his caller. "Come on into the
library with me. won't your"
And John Brandon, with a brief
How do you do?" TO his hostess,
followed his host into the house.
The door was hardly closed be-
hind them when Arthur turned to
his old friend.
John, I know why you have
come. The child has told me. All
1 can say is-God bless you both!
Be good to herr"
The grip Of the hand-clasp was
like steel, but the caller did not
finch.
1T is kind of you, Paige, to spare
me the ordeal of asking you for
anything as precious as Barbara. 1t
is kinder still of you to be willing
to trust her TO me.
Arthur smiled ruefully.
What else could I do, my dear
fellow-since she loves you? l have
always tried to let the dear child
have everything on which her
heart is set, you know"
"Yes, and l will follow your ex-
ample, Arthur. There is no use in
denying the fact that l must seem,
even to you, too old for her. But
we older men have learned lessons
that, perhaps, younger ones have
not yet acquired. ! hope thai, may
be able to keep Barbara from re-
GREETING her acceptance of me. l
can hardly yet appreciate the Won
derfud happiness that has come to
me. / thought that my life had
been lived. 1t has been a lonely
one"
A SWIFT REBUKE.
Nobody can be lonely who has
Bah" John Brandon strove to
speak lightly.
His heart was so full that 1t
ached. Turning to the door. he
flung it open.
Let us go out on the veranda
to Cynthia" he proposed abruptly.
Alone outside, Cynthia Paige was
nursing her grievance. Twice to-
day she had been ignored-first by
Barbara, then by Arthur.
She' glanced up sharply as the
two men appeared. She had not
supposed that their interview would
be SO short.
"Well?" she questioned, looking
from one to the other.
Her brother did not speak. 1t
was John Brandon who broke the
awkward silence.
Cynthia, you know how matters
are already. / want to promise you
that l shall try not to disappoint
your faith in me. l feel very hum
BILE just now"
The woman. spoke quickly. "Do
not be too humble, John! No girl
was ever held by humility. And
Barbara is like all the rest of them.
She wants to be loved, but she also
needs to be managed"
Arthur wheeled upon her with a
suddenness that made her start.
You are entirely wrong" he ex-
claimed. his voice quivering with
displeasure. "While / do not un-
derstand girls-and do not pretend
to-I do know that in all her life I
have never spoken harshly to Bar
bara. 1t has not been necessary.
l also know that she loves me as
II l were her father. IL anyone
were severe with her II would
break her heart
81 did not mean to suggest"
Cynthia began.
"Well, you did suggest IT," her
brother interrupted. And, in do
ing so, you gave a wrong impress
sion of my little girl"
Again Cynthia Paige surrendered
before her brothers anger. She had
been annoyed and jealous. Now
she was frightened at his repri-
mand
my speech was very unfortu-
nate. IL II produced upon you the
Impression that you have evidently
derived, Arthur" she said with her