New Britain herald., 1928-06-30
CHAPTER XLVu

What effect the statement had had upon Virginia Chiri could not learn. Tho ability to hide her real fealings was something that Nir- ginia had mastered.
 She merely nodded her head slowly and said: Il suppose so; Mel has become famous, l hope.'
 Chiri snapped upright in her chair. He might have if you hadn't made it impossible for him to work!" she exclaimed. His first mural was cold, unfinished. but it brought him a new commission. He isn't able to touch it, though"
 Virginia jumped to her feet. Why do you tell me this?' she asked warmly.
 Chiri laughed, with a ripple of victorious undertone. Because it explains what happened one night after Mel came back to the studio from wearing out the pavements. Walking you out of his life."
 Virginia's eyes widened, but she waited in silence for the rest of the story.
 She saw it now. Chiri had come to claim a conquest. She Greathed q prayer for that embrace on the pier. It was like shield now, pD- tecting her from believing anything she might hear.
 And did he succeed?" she asked quietly when Chiri failed to go on.
 No. he didn't" the girl said sur prisingly. "He never will succeed. But he will always hate you, too. For you cannot marry him."
 She spoke the last words with low. hard emphasis and looked at Virginia with direct candor.
 Virginia started. That is some thing for Mir. Damn and myself to discuss" she said jelly.
 And me-" Chiri said softly. Its a triangular affair now"
 Virginia suppressed an impulse to refuse to listen any longer. There was conviction in the girls words and manner. She was either tell ing the truth or she was a con- summate actress.
 Virginia felt herself impressed in spite of her firm faith in Ma thaniel.
 There's q chink in every ar mor," Chiri went on. II found the one in Nathaniel's. It's all in know ing the psychological hour in which to look for it.
 He will not marry me, he doesn't need to, because he didn't start the thing. I'm perfectly will ing to take all the responsibility .. only . he cannot marry you either. If he does I promise you never to give up searching fop other chinks."
 Virginia had rounded the foot of the bed, was leaning against. it, her hands outspread upon the imi- tation mahogany.
 Her head was thrown back and her eyes closed. She remained so for moment that worried Chiri. Then suddenly she looked at the other girl with a gaze so dscon- certinsly straight that Chiri flushed.
 Virginia smiled. You know I don't believe you" she said easily.
 And to herself she added: Be cause Mel never would have come to me again."
 Chiri rose, shrugged her shoul- ders. If you wish to live in a fools paradise :" she trailed off sug- Eestively and stopped.
 Virginia walked to the door and held 1t open for her. II am sorry for you" she said, because you will never win Nathaniel with a lie."
 Her voice held Infinite com- passion for one who had bungled rare chance at happiness-if happiness can really be found in the role of comforter to a heart broken lover.
 "Oh hell" Chiri said and walked through the open door.
 That was the last Virginia saw of her for long time. But she was not to escape a second unwelcome caller in the person of Frederick Dean.
 He had communicated wish Ia see her and Virginia consented in the faint hope that he would not presume unless 1t were to her ad- vantage.
 Besides, she had another reason for seeing him. He had become. in her mind, a monster. Could she marry him? She turned her head and studied him now as they were whisked through an entrance to Central Park.
 They had gone out in his car be. cause Virginia did not care to meet him in the hotel.
 There were no horns on his fore. head. certainly, but Virginia shud. dered nevertheless. And the toucr of his hand on her arm as he as. sisted her into the car still re. mained to fill with horror the thought of becoming his wife.
 Don't you think We might be. gin to discuss our wedding plans 9 ne asked when the moment came for revealing his reason for wish. ing to see her.
 Virginia caught her breati