The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-05-26
II know r she said proudly.

II know u she said proudly.
"Cynthia, don't speak like that! I'm
glad to have them all-gladder than
can say. But there's Benjy-I must
consider Benny"
She looked at him piteously. II
was thinking what nice playmate
Tenny would be for him!"
He shook a smiling head. Cynthia,
Tenny's not child I'd want Benny
to be with very muchl She's emo
tional, excitable. Look at that scene
this morning. for example. She"
"But, Ben! The child was frantic
She thought she was going to be put
back in "a school"
"And that's exactly where she ought
to be, IL you'll forgive my saying so,
dear. She needs discipline"
"She needs no such thing! She's
had altogether too much of it in her
short life now. She needs love and
care and home. She"
'We'll get nowhere talking like this,
Cynthia" he told her gently. II don't
consider the child an advisable COM
panion for Benny. She's not related
to you, you're under no obligation
whatever to look after her."
"But it's not question of obliga-
tion. It's question Of Tehny! She
needs me. I'm so glad her new moth
er won't be back for two years. BY
then Tenny'll be older. she can bear
the separation from me better"
A stubborn look settled about his
mouth. "The separation Is going to
be at once, Cynthia. I'll put off going
back to New York until this Mr.. Mon
tague comes, and I'll explain to him
that you and are to be married in
April and he must make arrange
ments for his child now"
For almost an hour the discussion
went on. Ben was patient, tolerant,
but unyielding. At the end of the
hour Cynthia handed him back his
ring with the brief announcement that
If it came to choosing between Tenny's
health and happiness for the next
two years and marrying him, she
chose Tenny.
If she had expected this announce
ment to move Ben from his position
she was disappointed.
you're showing me side of your
nature that haven't seen BEFORE" he
said. Cynthia. my dear!" His eyes
softened and he took step toward
her. 81 do love you, even if can't let
you have your way in this. It's i'm
possible for us to take the child"
Il know" She gave a quick nod.
She was a little breathless as though
she'd escaped from some unknown
danger. Its all right, Ben. It's
much. much better to have found this
out than to wait until we were mar
ried. Why. I'd even planned to send
Benny and Tenny to dancing school
together; to give him the RESPONSE
bility of being brother to her."
His mouth set again. But couldn't
allow Benny
"Of course you couldn't! That's
just what I'm saying. Isn't it lucky
we found out how we both feel?
must go to Tenny now. She won't be
fit to go to school today after all that
crying" She opened the door and
slipped out. nor turned to give him q
backward glance as she went in search
of Tenny.
She found the child asleep, in Geoff's
arms, completely exhausted with her
recent emotion. Cynthia's heart beat
little faster as she stood there look
ing at the two. Tenny's arms were
still clasped about Geoff's neck. his
lips touched her hair. Her relaxed
little body rested against him trust
fully. Once she sighed and muir
INJURED: you promised, Geoff!" and
he said clearly: II promised. Tennyl"
and she sank back into tired slumber.