The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-04

tut AS e pTsi GO ~ ~ an 1n, agency; ro
VIRGINIA awoke the next morn
v ing after a restfl sleep follow
ing a perfect evening with Ma
thaniel.
1t wasn't quite perfect of course
for there was always the shadow of
Frederick Deans monstrous bargain
hanging over her.
But she felt that she had turned
the first stone that would build her
bridge to freedom, and Mel was in
one of his most charming moods.
There was no effort on this part
to persuade her to Go anything
against her wishes. Marriage was
not even mentioned.
They we're as two companions de-
lightfully in love with each other
and making the most of each pass
ing hour without clouding it by try
ing to insure future happiness.
For a moment Virginia lay yawn-
ing drowisly and half consciously
waiting for the entrance of her
maid to tell her the bath was pre-
pared. Then her eye caught a
glimpse of the sheet she had tossed
away from her silk-clad body and
she sat up, wide awake in an in
slant.
The sight of the machine-hem-
med cotton affair in place of the
handworked linen sheets she was
accustomed to was a sufficient re-
minder Of the change that had come
to her to dispel her dreamy illu-
sion.
well, I suppose I might as we'll
get up" she sighed. Certainly no
ones going to fix my tub today.
wonder if the waters still rusty"
1t was, and again Virginia was
compelled to limit her bathing OPP
erations to the waterglass exercises,
as she called her Impoverished
shower.
She had scarcely finished drying
herself when her telephone sum-
moned her to answer a call from
Mrs. Phelps.
1--WE a place think you could
FILL" she told Virginia pleasantly
Can you come in the morning?"
Certainly, Mrs. Phelps. What
hour, please?"
"Ten- thirty"
"Tll be there promptly. Thank
you very much"
Virginia slipped the receiver on
the hook and then flung her towel
on the bed with a carefree gesture.
Maybe no one would believe it
but I think I'm thrilled" she de-
cided and then, catching sight of
her unclad body in the dresser mir
ror, laughed aloud.
Virginia Brewster, what if this
were a television telephone! Mrs.
Phelps would never send a skinny
like you out to work."
She grabbed up the bathrobe she
hadn't stopped 70 put on to answer
the ringing of the telephone and
threw it round her shoulders.
At 1920 sharp she was telling
Miss Laidstone she had an appoint
ment with Mrs. Phelps.
"Ah, good morning" the latter
greeted her presently. "You are
really in earnest, aren't you?"
Virginia was taken by surprise.
"In earnest?" she repeated wonder
ingly. why, OF course I am. 1t
is necessary for me to earn a living,
Mrs. Phelps" she added gravely.
That lady smiled.
"Indeed?" she asked mysteri-
ously. 81 had thought you might
have been acting on impulse yes
terday. To be frank, I really did not
expect you to respond to a call for
your services, Miss Brewster"
Virginia gasped audibly. "How
did you get my name?" she inquired
when she had recovered her COM
posure.
"Why, my dear, I recognized you
at once but I did not say so be-
cause I wanted to find out, if I
could, why you we're masquerading
under the name of Viola Browne"
She looked at Virginia rather
hard as she finished speaking and
the latter felt a touch of discom-
fort.
Because I do not wish to use a
name that has no connection with
IN eI,a 10