New Britain herald., 1928-06-21
/! !. :! {. q. Ar! k L. YES

remark gave a distinctly different
impression.
But Nathaniel did not come In
laden with bundles at dinner time.
Virginia knew. He was with her
usually at that hour. Unless. per-
haps. Chiri was in the habit OF
eating here when Nathaniel and
Virginia met uptown. On those &C.
caslons Nathaniel might have
brought the food in for her.
Virginia asked herself why he
would not have mentioned it il the
situation stood as she had con-
ceived IT, Yet she was compelled
to admit that Nathaniel might have
felt the same way about it as she
did in regard to her relations with
Oliver
She flinchad little as the
thought came to her that Nathaniel
probably believed she would be
jealous. But why should Chlri
want to dine here alone? Surely
she was not a person to find her
own company sufficient.
Virginia concluded that Chiri
must have referred to other hours
of the day. Lunch time perhaps.
1t might even be breakfast, consid-
ering Chris complete lack of re-
gard for worldly conventions. She
knew enough about Chlri to invest
her with daring enough to rush in
to Nathaniels studio in any sort
Of morning garb-black silk para
mas most likely and order him
out to buy the groceries,
Virginia tried to turn her mind
from the whole thing. feeling
wounded and somehow cheapened
by the presence of this girl who
made herself SO much at home In
| Nathaniel's studio.
The problem of her future needed
! immediate attention and Virginia
sought to occupy her thoughts with
1t to the exclusion OF everything
else. She succeeded only in reallz-
ing that the outlook was black in
| deed-black as the heart OF the man
who held her loyalty IKE a sword
over her head.
! She could hear Chir stirring
round in the tiny kitchen. a noisy
| cook, hunming naughty little
French chanson,
! She's very much at home" she
thought vistfully. Il suppose Mel
likes to have someone around him
who is happy. I'm not SO sure that
a man doesn't prefer a cheerful
companion to loving one"
It vas in her mind that she
would be incapable of singing in
his kitchen. Was Chiri. after all,
the superior person of the two?
she loves Mel" she thought as
she tried to make a. comparison of
herself and the model Il know she
does. Yet she sings. There must
be something fine and strong about
her. in spite of her gamin ways"
For the first time since she had
known Chiri Virginia felt touch
of sympathy for her. Her displeas-
ure had melted, lost in the deep
worry that weighed upon her.
Her spirits sank lower and lower
as the flames died in the CRATE and
Nathaniel did not come. The false
courage she had buoyed her hopes
with all afternoon vanished in the
growing darkness Of the studio.
How long before Chiri came in
and put a match TO the tapers on
the table she had laid for dinner
4 = hppk hA
the room became shadowy with
| candleglow she knew at least that
one decision was definitely made.
Nathaniel should be spared as
much as she could spare him. And
another woman would have her
chance.
IN take the trip on the Agena."
| Virginia told herself, land give
chiri the field. She may find a
way into Niers love. Then. II l
must keep my bargain With Fred
erick Dean, his heart will not be
! broken. One is enough. Better
that he and rhiri should be happy
than that all three of us should
suffer"
There vas one bright angle In
regard to her decision. one that
gave her a shred Of comfort. II
| fortune should by chance favor her
and she found way to free her
self from Frederick Dean she would
know beyond the slightest question
of doubt that Niel's love was hers
that is. if Chiri having had
her chance, had failed, and Ma
| tina MEL remained true.
| II was something to hug to her
sorely-trouhled heart and Virginia
| staked all that meant life to her
upon IT, II vas the only chance
she could give Nathaniel in case
| she lost to Dean - the chance of
falling in love with a girl whose
soul vas not in pawn.
Nathaniel found her animated
and sparkling like her old self
wlnn he came IN few minutes
later He was inclined 10 resent
! Chris presence but Virginia
lively conversations and ready ac-
ceptance OF the girls intrusion ~
dinner prevented an open declara-
ton Of war on the model
Virginia wondered what he
thought Of II did : ~Xrec'
her to mind Well. she'd give him