New Britain herald., 1928-05-10

He could not tell what it vas that caused him to distrust the man. but the distrust was there and whenever
 he saw Dean with Virginia, his hand batting hers as was his custom, Nathaniel wanted to boot him. It was a crude instinct, he knew. and as far as he could judge an un- grounded one, for certainly Fred erich Dean appeared worthy to pat Nirginia's hand. And he had been one of her fathers oldest friends: man who belonged to the same club for which the names of both had been put up at birth.
 But still Nathaniel did not like him, and when he appeared in the ! doorway, wearing a sympathetic smile. Nathaniel nodded curtly murmurcd vague greeting and stood with his hands behind him. Dean appeared 10 take no notice of him beyond q quick how'd 'y'do." poubtless he 1Id not regret that be was not compelled 10 take his hand But whether or not Nathaniel vas
 to him important enough to shake i hands with, he seemed to find Nir- ginlas hands fully satisfying. For 1 he was pattins them as usual, and Nathaniel's skin began to creep as 1 he watched. The man needn't be so i confoundcdly paternal he thought. He couldn't stand much Of that, he decided. and took his departure" "Tll come back in half an hour" 1 he said 10 Virginia, hoping Dean
 would take the hint, You know there is something l want 10 talk ! about"
 Virginia kissed him goodby, but her fingers seemed to cling a little
 to him as she let him go. | My dcar,' Dean began in a sad voice when she was again seated
 beside him, T would not have in- truded upon you al this moment
 had I not felt that it might com- | fort you 10 know l was your la l thers confilant and that I am
 aware Of the blow you have suffered
 today. I promised Richard would | S't Sou 'ilIOuku II.
 1 IS it really as bad as Mir. Gar
 diner says?' Virginia asked hih1,
 her voice rising a little.
 Richard gave me to undcrsta n q that matters were in a very bad
 statc-hut of course l do not know
 what Mir, Gardiner said"
 He said there was nothing left
 that even the furniture in this
 apartment must be sold" Sud-
 denly Nirginias hands were with.
 drawn from Deans grasp and were
 covering her face. Her body shook
 with the emotion she had until
 now been gallantly surpressing. Deans arms went around her: he
 drew her head to his shoulder, and
 if there was a touch Of greediness
 in his movements Virginia was no,
 aware of il.
 'I cant understand it, Uncle
 Frederick" - she called Mir. Dear that on occasion-"what shall
 do?'
 That's what I've come to tall 10 you about, my dear. Naturall, you will come to us. And perhaps when the estate is settled, thert : will be more for you than we think there is.''
 T wouldn't mind losing th' money if father had lived" Nir ) ginia. said. And I don't mind S, much for myself--but there's Mel. She sat up now and looked a : him with deeply troubled eyes You fear it will make a differ 2 cnce to him?" he asked in surprise Such an idea had not crossed hi own mind, though he welcomed i readily enough.
 Virginia smiled wanly at his mis , interpretation Of her words. Mel regretted that he was go ing to marry a girl with money,
 she explained hastily. He wouldn' have taken any of it for himsel but it would have made it possibl for him to devote himself to hi y work without worrying about sup porting a wife"
 "Ah, I see: you're quite righ ? 10 think of him. Virginia When
 man knows he is neglecting 10 pro y vide properly for the woman h = loves he is sure to be distrac cte from his work. Especially if h knows that that very work is tn cause of the neglect"
 T think Mel wants me 10 narr .' him right away. He hasn't saj SO yet, but I'm sure he made U e his mind to do it when he hear