Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-23

becomes friends with Kathleen Foster,
but their friendship is Interrupted
by Virginia leaving school. Mrs.
b West, terrified by the idea that Vir-
sinia will marry II college man,
Jimmy Anderson, with whom she has
fallen in love, takes her daughter out
of school aud up TO "A fashionable
summer resort, where they meet
Sherman Holmes, man of enormous
wealth. Mrs. West instantly schemes
for a possible match.
. CtHERMAN HOLMES had decided to
~ ask Virginia to marry him. Some
what bored with life, he had thought
that any new thrill would be an i'm
possibility; but Virginia had changed
all that To have this girl for his wife,
to see life again through her eyes, TO
have those marvellous possibilities in
her nature gradually unfold and de.
velop for his own edification seemed
the most desirable thing in the world.
lie liked her simplicity, her lack of
worldliness and wondered that this
!. could be so when her mother was SO eE-
tirely different.
When he asked Virginia TO marry him
lie was not surprised that she started
aud shrank away. He had expected
this, but he did not dream that 1T was
because of aversion, he thought it due
TO her inexpericncc.
He had taken her for drive in his
high powered car, and she sat beside
him mufied up in a big coat with a
wisp of pale blue tulle over her mid
night hair and the light of the stars IL
her eyes. He had stopped the car on
a hill SO that they might watch the
moon climb up, and then quite suddenly,
he had leaned close to her and with his
voice shaking little, had whispered:
"You darling"
There was wonder in the eyes she
turned to him. And then when he had
caught her to him roughly ard the
wonder of her pale little face was up
turned to him he quite lost his head and
kissed her roughly again and again.
She gasped and tried to beat him off
with her fists. When he finally re-
leased her she was shuddering away in
a corner of the seat, horror in every
line of her face.
Dearest" he said implOringly,
furious with himself for losing control
ard frightening her this way. ''I'm
in this moonlight. You know / love
you, don't you? / want you to marry
me.
Virginia was sick with self loathing.
Sherman Holiness kisses burned on her
lips, she felt degraded, and she hated
this man who had made her feel this
way. But more, much more than she
hated him, she hated herself. If she
hadn't been SO blind she might have
tuowr that something of this kind would
happen.
"Fake me home please" she said
family, after a moments silence.
e.. Il
that he had spoiled his chances. In
silence he started the car and they
moved forward. Virginia sat with her
fncc huddled down in the collar of her
coat ard with her eyes fixed straight
ahead on the white ribbon of the road.
lie did not speak to her until they were
almost at the hotel, then he slowed
down the engine.
Virginia
She did not answer.
virginia, want you to listen to me.
had no right to do what did and IN
sorry for it. Look, dear, l won't kiss
you again. Please lift mp your eyes,"
She did turn to him then.
II want to ask you q question:, he
,lid gently. "Do you think you could
vcr care for me; that way mean?"
She shook her head. "No."
You're quite sure?'
@ Quite" Her voice was low, almost
sa whisper.
He said nothing more and they drove
up before the low red verandas. Mrs.
West came to meet them and she looked
at Virginia keenly. The girl held her
head down, however, ard in the dim
light it was impossible to see clearly,
so that Virginia escaped detection until
after the good nights had been said.
Once upstairs Mrs. West took Vir-
gnia by the shoulders and looked
searchingly into the girls face.
Have you anything to tell me?" She
knew, however, before the question was
asked that there was no hope. Vir-
ginia's eyes were smoldering with
anger and big hurt tears suddenly
brimmed over the lids and fell down in
great drops on the blue chiffon of her
dress.
You've turned down Sherman
Holmes when you had the chance to
marry him. It's the truth. isn't it?"
She did not wait for Virginia to answer,
but hurried on. "What would you say
if / told you we were poor" she flung
at the frightened girl. ''Would you be
sorry, ] wonder, or wouldn't you
care2'
Tomorrow-Mrs. West tells Vir-
riIja the truth !