The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1933-06-22
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fully behind him. He might just as
well have placed mo Admittance"
sign on 1t, she thought. No one
would touch the handle OF 1t until
Ben had received his answer.
She sat down decorously In the wing
chair though Ben eyed the sofa little
wistfully.
did you have busy day at the
shop7' be asked.
very busy. The holiday trade II
getting into full swing. Next week
We'll have to keep open nights"
She wished he'd hurry and get 1t
over with. The suspense OF being pro-
posed to was, she discovered, most
unpleasant.
i've enjoyed my VISIT to Denver
he remarked ITS the first holiday
I've taken In three years. I'd like to
drive across the Divide"
TITS interesting" she assented.
Perhaps I'll come back next
spring.
All, now he was approaching his
subject. Cynthia sighed little. She
wished he'd forego the preliminarIes
and get to the most important part
Of the interview.
But apparently he decided to attack
from another angle.
aBenjy sent you his love In the let
ter got today, Cynthia"
Hes dear little boy" she an
swered warmly.
And then all at once Ben hurled
himself on to his subject. "Benjy
needs a mother. Cynthia, and / need
wife. Could you-could you give
me your answer tonight I"
After that things blurred for her. She
must have told Ben what he wanted
to hear because he sprnng from hls
seat and took her In his arms. She
remembered that hEs lips felt very
queer on her own, that she turned
her head when ha tried to kiss her
again.
Not-noW,r she stHmmered. sLlot
me get little used to you, Benz
They stayed In the library for hours,
planning At least Ben told her what
he had planned and she agreed 1t
turned out that 1t was April tenth
and not May first that was to be her
wedding day. Also 1t seemed that
Ben had Nken 4 chance on her ac-
ceptIng him; taken 1t even before he
left New York. He took little vel
vet box from his pocket and with 4
tender smile opened 1t and showed
her the enormous diamond within.
"But what II I'd refused you Benz"
she asked
I'D have flung II out of the train
window going home" he said. That
pleased her but her approval WAS
short lived for he added thoughtfulIy:
Il might have saved 1t and given 1t
to Benny for his wifel"
Everything was decided when they
left the library. The gift shop was
to be sold at once Cary and Flossis
wers to come East directly after
Christmas. I've exactly the right
opening for the boy"
Everything was settled, 10 Cynthia
raised her face dutiful1y for good
night kiss and went soberly to bed
Geoff came In just as she reached
the top OF the stairs. The light from
the upper hall caught the diamond on
her hand and threw II back In 4 hun
dred rays OF red and green.
Cynthia carried Geofr's haggard face
Into her room and 1t haunted her
dreams.
The next day-would Cynthia ever
live long enough to forget the next
day7 She thought not.
1t began with the sight of her ring
at breakfast Tenny asked her where
she got 1t. Miss Mona took her daugh-
ter into fearful embrace. kissed Ben
warmly. The Captain beamed like !
rising sun and pumped the fasteners
hand. Cary looked more startled
than pleased and Flossie said nothing
at all.
Geoff--
To Cynthia's stupefactlon Geofr was
quite cheerful this morning. 1t was
true that he looked as Ii he had not
slept, that he avoided her eyes when
he spoke to her, but his congratula-
tons to Ben were apparently sincere,
he wished the girl every happiness
in voice which did not tremble.
Had he thought the matter over and
decided to make the best OF it1 Gym
thia caught herself up as the impllca-
tion Of that thought reached her.
What reason had she to believe that
her engagement to Ben Sutton or any
other man mattered to Geofr save az
"a subject OF friendly INTEREST,"
Its your abominable vanity that's
disappointed" she scolded herself
Hes probably delighted at the idea
of your leaving Denver"
Well, that was that. Everybody In
the house knew of her engagement
now, and everything was settled.
Along about two o'clock last night she
had entertained some foolish idea of
saying something sweet and comfort
Ing to Geoff, but 1t seemed that con-