New Britain herald., 1928-06-14
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 Because someone has threatened to do it." Virginia confided breath lessly.
 Oliver smiled. "Is that ano 4 jealous sveetie, huho I thought he was an artist
 Virginia made an impatient ses- ture. Tt was Frederick Dean,' she announced simply.
 Oliver stared at her and Nlr- glnia saw light, ereenlsh tinge come into his skin. It brought a sinking feeling to her heart. Then Dean was to be feared, She saw her hopes go glmmering off into the distance.
 Oliver gulped Well. he's a powerful man. he said slowly; but since you've warned me I'll be fairly safe Are you sure he meant it?
 T believe he did It's on my ac- count Ot course you will have to stop speculatlng for me. That might save you T wish you'd tell m. whats be- hind all this"
 T can't do that, but there's 3 chance that the threat was made to force you to drop my 7" she kesitated for the word Account, Oliver supplied Account Nir- glnla repeated.
 Oliver did not answer lmmedi- ately. He appeared 10 he think ing deeply and Virginia surm,sed that he vas deciding between two courses. She believed he vas weigh ling his safety against his desire to aid her.
 Dean can go to blaze:." he ey- ploded finally. "Foreuarned ia fore armed"
 But Oliver, cant le, you r,sk lt Knowing about II can't help you much or he wouldn't have told me what he meant to do" And on the other hand, it's not such a simple thing 70 ruin me, you know. think lt uas just a bluff to make me drop your ac- count. well, ! won | QO ".
 I'm afraid you must can't have your ruin on my conscience"
 Oliver considered Well fool the old boy, I'll drop the account. You can let him know it. And we'll get someone to handle ,t for us on the Q. T"
 Do you think he wouldn't find It out?" Virginia questioned dubi- ously' Hes having me watched"
 Oliver sat back in his chair and looked completely mystified. What is he up to. Virginia? You can trust me" he pleaded.
 T do trust you, Oliver, but I cant explain now. Mr. Dean is my bitterest enemy. I'm sure he wouldn't stop at anything to pre- vent anyone helping me"
 We'll, we'll have to be careful then. I'll find a way to meet you secretly You ran tell Mir. Dean that you've withdrawn your ac- count from my firm. I'll send a messenger when I want to see you, Would it be possible for you to leave your hotel unnoticed ?" T think the management would help me" Virginia told him
 T wanted to buy A C NJ stock for you today but I'll wait until we've thrown Dean of the trail,' Oliver said "I'M have something to talk over with you in day or two"
 Virginia l.tt and went hack to her hotel to write to MT. Dean :" in view of your threat against Mir Gutter I have with drawn my account from his firm" she wrote And please be advised that I warned him of your inten- ton"
 When she had mailed the letter she started out to visit the aKen- c,es. The nearest was within walk lns distance and as she turned east from her hotel she saw the man who vas trailing her standing in doorway. He made no attempt 10 conceal hls presence there and Virginia understood that he had been rrlQ Sne was aware CI HIS eS- plonase
 She wondered it Y were not un- lauful and vas Of hslf a mind 10 see Mir Gardiner about it But the thought of possible consequences deterred her Dean uas not 70 be trusted Were she 70 antagonize him sufficiently he might break hie promise to give her year to rA- pay the money he claimed and spread his charges against her father abroad,
 Besides, h,s interference had acted 4s T boomerang and defeated the object he had Tn m,nd "hen he induced Mrs Phelps to try 10 persuade her 10 accept the ald of friends 1t had served to send her out looking for employment under her own name snd thus made hey search much less difficult And it 6llver could be saved from hls at 'acks "ha' harm could he doo Nir- gir!s decided 10 let the matter drop lt least for the present
 There ras ro'hlng for her at the first agency, out the second place she rislted had 2 position the man aEer believed she could fill very "elI NIreinia "as delighted when