Red Lodge daily news combined with Carbon County news., 1933-05-24
CHAPTER Ill--continued

When Cary presently lost his Job
again, Geoff threw himself heartily
into a conspiracy of silence against
Cynthia; helped the boy find an
other position and smiled with tri-
umph when Cary made airy an
nouncement of the change.
Cary was his devoted friend, the
Captain liked him heartily, Miss
Mona made nc secret of her affec-
ton for him, Marguerite showed her
back teeth In a vast grin when Geoff
tipped her lavishly. Only Tenny
held aloof.
1t surprised Geof to find how
whole-heartedly the child adored
Cynthia. Miss Mona gave her the
tenderest care. Captain Cary was
never too busy to take her on his
lap and read to her. Cary played
with her almost as though he were
her own age. She accepted Geoff's
own overtures with shy pleasure.
But 1t was to Cynthia that she gave
her love.
Cynthia never petted her, seldom
played with her or told her stories.
She held Tenny to a strict account
Ing OF her day. Had she hung up
her own nlghtgown and aired her
bed? Had she taken her cod liver
oil after each meal7
Tenny would nod in passionate
assent to these questions. She
hung about the gate in the evening,
straining her eyes In the dusk for
the first sight of Cynthia. When the
slender figure appeared, walking
somewhat YEARLY these autumn
nights, the child would slip a hand
In the older girls and stick to her
like a little burr till bedtime came.
Come here, Tenny." Geof said
n evening, holding out his hand
for her. "Your face has looked like
a little thundercloud all evening.
What's the matterY'
She came not unwillingly, but
with no Tightening of the gloom
which enveloped her.
Il don't like Cynthia to work 80
hard" she said. Her head ached
this morning. know 1t did, And
now she's telephoned she can't get
home before | go to bed"
ats a shame, darling" Miss Mona
said. I'm worrying about Cynthia,
too. She's working far too hard"
"Stuff and no~nsense-her running
that shop at ALL" the Captain said
testify. "You should put your foot
down, Mona"
Miss Mona shook her head. "you
know ] can't do anything with her,
Father We've both talked to her
did 1t do one bit of good?" She
sighed and laid down her sewing.
isn't 1t odd how dull the house
seems without herr"
Geof, rather to his own surprise,
was experiencing the same sensa-
ton. 1t must be, he unused, that he
missed his daily tits with Cynthia.
They quarreled more and more fire.
Quently lately, as Geoff became a
more intimate part of the family
life, and as Cynthia's WEAKNESS
often expressed itself in tart speech.
The Carys were like no other fam
lily Geoff had ever known. Reserve
was a quality unknown TO them.
They discussed their most private
affairs as cheerfully before Geoff
as though he were one of them. To
be sure, they often took for granted
facts he did not know and thus con-
fused both him and themselves In a
discussion.
Only Cynthia guarded her own ar
fairs from discussion. Geoff was
alternately amused and irritated by
the manner In which a flash of her
blue eyes put a stop to any conver
sati0n which touched upon her ear
lier life.
Sometimes" he informed her, ~
think you must have a past, you're
so secretive."
The long lashes lifted and she
flung him a glance. "Oh, / havei |
have a husband and seven children
In Phoenix, Ariz., and I'm so afraid
you'll find it out!"
1T would make no difference" he
assured her affably. II have no In
tention whatever of falling In love
with you"
The blue eyes fingered on him
speculatiyely. II wonder It
would be an interesting experiment
in emotional power--but mol I'm
too busy to bother with you Just
now. Later, perhaps"
go as far as you like" he said.
'The fairest maIdens of New York
have tried-and failed. But per
haps a little Colorado desperado-"
ION second thought I don't think
I'll bother with you. If / failed II
would be a terrible blow to my AN
ity, and Ii | succeeded, Miss Mona