The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-14
CHAPTER VI

CLARISSA had introduced her
~ f1ance to Virginia and turned
to address a casual greeting to Ma
thaniel
Then she turned back to Virginia
to explain that she had brought
Russell with her against his will
She realized in an instant, how
ever, that such an explanation
would partake of the nature of an
anti-climaX in view of the fact that
he seemed to have lost his reluc-
lance.
He was quite frankly putting him
self on pleasant terms with Vir-
GINA. And, even if Virginia had felt
his presence an intrusion at first,
she didn't mind it now, for when
Russell Waingould wanted to be
agreeable he could be very agreeable
indeed.
But it must have been something
more than what was actually hap
pening, something that RussellS
manner suggested, that brought the
expression that so startled Nathan
iel to Clarissa's beautifully made-up
features.
Perhaps none but an artist would
have caught the fleet unwilling,
would have seen the stark naked
ness of anger that barred itself for
the tiniest fraction Of a second in
the hard blue eyes. But to Nathan
iel's keen sight it was full confirma-
ton of his first estimate OF this
friend of Virginia's.
And Virginia, too fine to suspect
the existence of dross in the people
she cared for, was going to live un-
der the same roof with this girl
whose eyes could light with rage
for nothing at all!
The feeling he had been trying to
shake off, the feeling that Virginia
was walking into trouble, returned
anew to Nathaniel on that look OF
Clarissas and he was more than
ever conscious that he was making a
mistake in not insisting that Viz
ginia should marry him at once.
But Clarissa's next words con-
vinced him that anything he should
say against her attitude in the mat
ter would ring hollow.
She was urging Virginia most
earnestly to come along right oil,
in time for luncheon. Nathaniel
found it difficult to reconcile her
apparent sincerity with what he be-
I;ovvoJ che roo IIxT fnIt
Virginia let herself be persuaded
into hurrying her departure, but
Nathaniel guessed it was to quiet
Clarissa's clamor more than any
thing else.
When she had gone to her room
to finish her packing there Clarissa
crossed the room and rang the
servants bell.
"Weu see If we can't scare up
some cocktails" she announced to
Russell.
It was Mrs. Pike who answered
the ring.
GOOD morning. Pike" Clarissa
greeted the housekeeper; cant we
have a shaker of cocktails While
we wait for Miss Brewster?"
I'm sorry, miss; there's no one
left to prepare them"
what? Have the servants gomez
Well, never mind; we'll do it our
selves. Come along, Russell; L nope
we find the essentials"
Mrs. Pike led the way to the pan
try, but Nathaniel remained where
he was. For one reason, Clarissa
had in ITO way included him in the
invitation to accompany her, and for
another, he wouldn't have gone II
she had. He hoped Virginia would
not learn what her friends were
doing.
He fretted in fear they would not
finish their ill-timed indulgence be-
fore Virginia reappeared, but pres
emily they came back, complaining
that it was a flzzle.
"The butler or some one cleaned
out the place." Clarissa accused. she
was about to give further voice to
her disgust when Virginia joined
them, carrying a travelling case.
would you mind asking down.
stairs to have some one come up
for these things?" she said to Cla-
rissa. "I'l be down in just min
ute"