The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-06-15
CHAPTER VIII
GeoH Falls in Love.

The Cary house hummed with prep
preparations of his own to make The
first was the prideful arrangement OF
a small pile OF receipted bills. He
positively swelled with triumph every
time he looked at those bills. Not
Cynthia herself could have done bet
ter, he thought. He considered that
II anybody ever deserved the com
mendation: well done, thou good
and faithful servant" he did.
He hurried home from the labora-
tory that night In response to his
eager question Miss Mona told him ne
might go up and see Cynthia.
She lay on the old chaise Tongue
which had belonged to her grand
mother. She wore silk and lace
negligee. Her hair was tied back
with ribbon, giving her little-girl
look which touched him inexpressibly.
Her blue eyes were fixed on some
thing he could not see.
Something happened to Geofr while
he stood there gazing at her. He had
experienced many emotions where
Cynthia was concerned: disapproval,
resentment, downright dislike; then
dismay, remorse, ardent admiration
for her courage and cleverness. Now
all these feelings were swept away,
or rather were merged into love
which shook him by its intensity.
What Z little girl she was to carry
so many burdens Wrath against
her family who permitted this sacri-
fee filled him; was succeeded by hum
BILE gratitude that he could lift those
| burdens; slipped In turn Into a love
and longing that must have reached
| Cynthia. for she turned her head and
saw him smiled.
He crossed the room In few steps !;
took one OF her hands In both OF his
and held 1t gently.
| "Grand to have you home r.
"Grand to be home again. she an
swered politely.
Stupid, banal talk Underneath 1t
| her heart was asking an agonized
question: do you utterly despise us,
now that you've learned all our hor-
rid secrets?" And his hkart was say
Ing: "Darlingi Sweetheart! / love
you better than all the world"
Cynthia broke the silence abruptly
about the household bills, Geoff-'
| He shook his head. you're not to
talk business today"
whats the use of putting 1t orr"
she demanded. I'D rather know the
worst at once SO can begin to plan"
Indignation seized him. "What
| d'you mean-the Worst7 There's no
worst about It. Every bill Is paid"
..Then you did pay them out of your
own money |"
| II did no such thingl" He rose and
| stood towering above her. didn't
you ask me to promise not to and
!, didn't promlse7"
| In spite OF his new tenderness for
| Cynthia, In spite OF the fact that he
| knew for the first time what love
meant, the old faint hostility was ris-
| Ing between them. When Cynthia 8
weakness pulled at his heartstrngs,
when he would gladly have rushed out
and died to save her pain, he was
swapping at her In exactly the old
| quarrelsome way.
Nor had illness quenched Cynthia 8
smoldering ill-humor.
Are you trying to tell me that
you--have run this house"
Il most certainly havel" He slapped
1 the little piles of bills down before
her. Grocery bill-receipted In full
milk, ditto: Tenny's coat, ditto.
She fingered the rubber band that
held the receipts. I'm afraid to look
at these can't believe you've done
all that without-without-"
i II give you my word / haven't spent
dollar of my own money" he as
sured her. tits all come out of your
own funds. It's been an education to
me-learnIng the prices OF things"
$50 valuable to chemical engi.
neer," she tainted him.
| 4Why mott Cooking, as I see 1t, Is
after all, wholly chemical process
Take, for instance" he began In ar
oratorlcal tone, "the effect OF heat on
vitamins. In cooking tomatoes"
1
| Cynthia, whose look Of bewilder
ment had given away to mirth
laughed until tears ran down hel
J cheeks "You--and tomatoes she