The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-12-02

The house lDDmed desolate as Cyn-
| thia came toward II, The branches %
! ~. trees shedding their summer
! leaves were desola,e too. The leaves
| cracked beneath Cynthia's feet rs she
/ vent On W the garden path to the
! p.llarcd yerhnda, years ~ silence and
decay showed evoryw here. She drew
/ her fur about her throat rs she sat
] upon the highest step to look the old
place over. the dear old place that had
been her girihoods home this visit.
fully sweet woman had but 20 close
her eyes TO people. the deserted rooms
with faces, long absent There her
! square plano had stood. and ut the
opposite end Of the impressive pnrlns
had been the pier glass \ winsone
! picture that pier glass had often ~.
; nccted. a girllsh vision of Heating tui.
lies. with happy shining eyes beneath
softly wayy hair. cynthia remembered
! the vision OF herself. ms she sat, and
snw II again at It's fairest clad In
bridal array.
In satin slippers the girl Cynthia
had danced down the room. her white
! veil sweeping after. and he had called
; her "the lovliest vision In the world"
Iiui that was before the kiss. Such
simple happening 10 change the tenor
~ ones llfe-as n had changed Gym
thia's There were two suiiprs. 50.
see. big VIII Lcfton, poor adoring
aud unrewarded. And Barton Swift.
! rich by Inheritance. successful In bust
ness BY no virtue Of his riches had
Cynthia chosen hut because of her
love for him. with all the time a re-
| rrciful ache nj the back of her happi-
! ness because Of poor Wits sorrow.
| Not that VIII was cowardly In defeat,
! his outward manner was his brnyest
best: Barton was wildly triumphant.
! his laughter rang out all the day long.
the day of his wedding to be-.
with other friends he and Cynthia
had fcstooncd the Railways and rooms
| with flowers. In her white robes she
had lnughlngly dencd superstition for
the admiration OF her lovers gaze and
Barton left enraptured. before the fen
brief hours proceeding the ceremony.
n he reached his own home In a bliss
ful daze. he found that he had forgot
ten Ia execute n certain commission.
and returned. Entering the long room.
his steps muffled by the thick carpet.
! Barton Swift beheld reflected In the
pier glass. the picture which he never
forgot and which no explanation couli
satisfy. Cynthia. still In her bridal
robes. was clasped close In the arms
/ " VIII Lefton. and as Barton watched.
VIII bent for her kiss. when he raised
his face from hers. Cynthia gave him
no words OF anger. tenrs were on her
checks.
"You had better go now Lefton."
Barton said sharply from the doorway.
and VIII waiting only for Cynthla's
] nation OF dismissal had gone. SWELL"
| Barton asked her with sneerin;
smile. $50 II was my money after all.
90 they said, and you loyed Lefton
, all the time" White to the lips with
wide Mortified eyes. Cynthia made no
reply. His sneering smile changed to
a harsh laugh. v
swell. forewarned. forearmed." Bar.
ton said cuttingly his own pain max.
ING him cruel. Better TO have found
,uf In time-good-bye."
! When the girl found her voice she
was alone In the flower decked room
Later, ms the wedding hour approached
she had In desperation thrown cloak
about her shoulders and gone to Bar.
toms home 20 seek him. only 10 learn
that he had rushed In 10 the house
and out again with the brief word that
H. would be long absent.
So Cynthia like crumpled white
flower was found unconscious on the
floor Of her room. when the wedding
guests came. and the wedding had
never been. Immediately. kind
father had taken her to travel abroad.
since then she had been here or there
A. her fancy or friends dictated. And
is the years passed the old home be-
reft Of It's owners was sold. and the
money divided between the sisters.
Now that Cynthia's sisters were mar
ried and scattered far. the old house
was TO he sold again. Cynthia read
the advertisement In her city apart.
mcnt. and whimsical desire had
seized her 20 view the old place once
more. She could think now OF that
dreadful day with a smile. and wonder
that II had seemed 10 mean so much
But after all the years her cheeks
burned hot ut memory OF an impulsive
farwell kiss. Poor WIN. he had
rrieyed deeply over the tragedy hts
rash act brought about. Cynthii
wondered what sort OF woman he bal
married. Then. ms she stood up 10 @
a man came through the great house
/ doorway. and stood speechlessly look
Ing at her. She recognized win LIEF
ton at once. the same serious eyes
/ the patient face that years could nor
\ touch with sternness.
"Will." cried the woman. how
strange to meet you here, and IN
changed"
"why. ! am quite gray" VIII Lef
u "A -. A.. a