The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-09

easily away from the girls face to
the glass-topped desk.
I'm not really crying to dis
courage you," she protested lamely;
but I've been thinking about you
and it seems well, a bit abb
surd for a girl of your position to
be subject to such-er, indignities
as you met at the GernSners."
There we're no 'indignities," Vir-
ginia stated gravely. Mrs. Germs
ner lost her temper, it's true, but
I'm sure she felt she had sufficient
reason to do so. And as far as my
position is concerned it is
that of a girl who must take what
ever comes to her in the effort to
get work"
That's just the point I wish to
make, my dear. Is it necessary for
you to get work? Don't you think
it would be more becoming if you
allowed your friends to assist you?"
A frown appeared on Virginia's
forehead, to be quickly followed by
raised eyebrows. She smiled coldly
and shook her head.
Il assume you have been in COM
munication with someone who has
advised you against helping me-" she
said siffly. May ask who it WASP"
Mrs Phelps lifted her chin
trifie. lam telling you what I be-
lieve is for your best interest" she
answered evasively.
You have no idea, I'm sure, what
it will mean to you to undertake to
earn your own livelihood. And
surely you do not intend to go on
indefinitely holding a position. Why
should you bother with it at alp"
she added lightly in tones that were
subtly suggestive of the incense
ounce in which she held the idea of
Virginia Brewster looking for a job.
Because I will not accept char
ity," Virginia replied warmly.
But you are engaged. I under
stand, Mrs. Phelps said suavely. 1T
occurred to me that it is rather
needless for you to go through all
the unpleasantness and self-denial
of this sort of thing so long as you
are not in pursuit Of a career. That
would be different, but as it seems
you are only seeking employment
until you are married I think you
are a very foolish girl to turn your
back upon your proper station and
your real friends"
Virginia considered her remarks
with scant courtesy.
Yes, 1 do intend to marry-at
the end of the year, I hope" she
said spiritedly; but in the mean
time 1 must face things as they are
and it is impossible for me to go to
any of my friends. It is absolutely
necessary for me to find employ
ment.'
Mrs. Phelps looked grieved. well,
I've tried hard to show you how diff
ficult it is, she said defensively;
but if you still wish lis to retain
your application we shall be pleased
to do So"
Thank you" Virginia replied
briefly and departed.
She vase quite sure there was
more to the interviey tina nap
pea. ed on the surface.
One thing was certain. Mrs.
Phelps indirect reply to her request
for the name of the person who had
interfered proved to Virginia that
her first suspicion was correct. Some
one had interfered But who could
it be?
Virginia cogitated over it the rest
of the afternoon, with small salts
faction. Quite apparently it was
someone who knew of her visits to
the agency-Someone who did not
wish her to have success there.
Virgins was at a loss to decide
who it might be. She had not men
toned Mrs. Phelps to anyone, not
even Nathaniel. Miss Evans knew;
but she had sent Virginia there.
1t was preposterous to suppose she
had been responsible for Mrs.
Phelps sudden change of attitude.
Unless but that was utterly
absurd Oliver wouldn't have had
any reason to interfere even if Miss
Evans had told him of Virginia's
plans
But aside from those who knew
that she had wanted work who could
it be who would try to stand in her
way?
1t came to Virginia in flash of
convistion that there was one per-
son she could always depend upon
to try to balk her Frederick Deani
But he could not have known what
she was doing!
Virginia tried to make herself be-
lieve that he could not. 1t would be
too narrowing to think that he was
keeping watch on her.