The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-21
CHAPTER XII


WITHOUT a word Clarissa
w turned and disappeared from
Virginia's agonized sight. And by
that silent gesture Virginia realized
her worst fear. Clarissa had mis-
understood!
The expression of utter scorn and
contempt that had distorted her
features as she watched the scene
before her had flashed her inter-
probation of it to Virginia with
blighting comprehension.
LET me co." Virginia cried fierce
ly at Russell. Are you mad? Let
me 60"
He laughed as she wrenched and
tore to free her frail body. Finally
she worked her hands to a position
that enabled her to give him a
strong shove and managed to break
away.
"Oh. what fool you've been,"
she choked. "ClarisSa saw you'll"
$50 that's what throttled you!
was afraid you didn't like me-"
Like you? I think you're a
beast!"
Just because I kissed your Say,
that makes me dizzy. thought I
knew how to kiss girl and make
her like it."
He spoke in the voice of COM
planning child.
Virginia was white and trembling
now. The dread of facing Clarissa
was replacing her wrath.
How could she convince her friend
that it was all nothing but a stupid,
meaningless episode? In her heart
Virginia feared she could not.
I'm going up to try to explain
to ClarisSa," she told Russell in a
shaken voice, land I certainly shall
make it plain as to who is the
guilty person"
YOU'D better give her time to cool
off; Claret knows some pretty strong
words" Russell advised.
Virginia did not answer.
well, wish you luck" he called
after her as she left the room.
She went directly to Clarissa' IS
boudoir AT the door she paused
a moment to catch her breath be-
fore rapping.
Clarissa threw the door open,
banging it back violently.
Virginia walked into the room
without an invitation to do so,
quaking inwardly before Clarissa' s
patent fury.
It don't care to hear any lies, if
you intend to defend yourself that
way" the latter said in a harsh,
raised voice.
Virginia looked at her steadily,
fearleSsly. The words had served
to strengthen her, to free her of an
unmerited sense of guilt.
"There is no occasion to ile," she
replied quietly.
Then if you haven't anything to
say for yourself your presence here
is an insult to me-" Clarissa de-
clared.
"But have something to say for
myself simply the truth. I could
not help what you saw, Clarissa.
You must know that Russell has
had too many cocktails. He lost
his head
ooh, did hep" Clarissa sneered.
well, it wasn't because of cock
tails, let me tell you. I know how
much he can drink and I know how
much he had. 1t wasn't enough to
make him do a think like that I'M
less he was encouraged"
"Clarissa! You know better than
that. I don't blame you for being
angry, but after all it was just a
foolish think that Russell did"
every foolish indeed, to do it right
under my eyes. I wonder how you
thought you could get away with
it, Virginia"
do you really believe I wanted
it to happen?"
"Well, why not? If you didn't
you could have managed to avoid
it. Surely you haven't forgotten
that I warned you wouldn't per-
nit any trespassing where Russell
was concerned. I thought you might
find him more interesting than a
poverty-stricken artist, Or we're you