The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-18
CHAPTER XXXVI

VIRGINIA was at divers Office
the next morning before he
arrived.
She had experienced a night of
terrible suspense, wondering how
much money he actually had made
for her and what had happened to
the oil stock he mentioned. She
prayed that the losses sustained had
not been severe.
1t would be tragic to, endure a
setback, especially at this time,
when she was facing the necessity
of finishing what she had started
out to accomplish, without his as
sistance.
For she must take her account
elsewhere. she knew. There was
no hope of concealing anything in
her life from Frederick Dean, ap-
parently.
And then there was jeanne with
her ready acceptance of the basest
construction that could be put upon
the affair. Virginia burned with
mingled anger and shame when her
thoughts turned back to Jeanie'S
scathing indictment.
Nathaniel had noticed her per-
turbation several times at dinner
and finally asked if anything was
troubling her. She had assured
him with the best composure she
could summon that there was moth
ING ar oil tho t1ootfor
you know I've wondered few
times lately if I'm not becoming of
less Importance in your scheme of
things" he said thoughtfully. It
disturbed Virginia.
MEL" she expostulated, fright
ened, please don't say that"
well, you haven't even men
toned any of your plans for weeks, .
he complained.
ooh my dear, I thought every
thing was going so we'll I wasn't
making any plans. You're happy
in your work, aren't you?"
II can't deny that, but what's
become Of all those promises to
marry me when you'd had o fair
fling at self-expression? Seems to
me you've proved pretty conclusively
that you can make good on your
own effort. And I'm doing well
enough to support a wife, you know.
About as well as my wife ever will
be supported, I mean to say. Of
course, when I'm famous. but you
can't expect me to wait until that
time, Virginia"
"Oh. why did you bring this up
now?" Virginia walled.
"Well, why not now?" Nathaniel
drove on doggedly. "Just because i
haven't said anything about it was
no reason for thinking I'd lost
interest in the subject"
And so again Virginia was forced
to put him off, and when they said
good night she felt that he was
hurt and puzzled. There was ever
a touch of aloofness in his kiss
and he took only one. It was not
like Nathaniel.
All night she tossed and turned
dwelling alternately upon his atti-
tude and Jeanie'S accusation, with
the specter of defeat ever drawing
closer, driving her to the verge Of
despair.
Small wonder she looked a pitt
full sight when she walked into
divers Office and asked if he hac
come in. Miss Evans started Wis
IDLY when she saw her and was i'm
PEELED to ask if she was ILL.,
mo, I'm all right" Virginia
answered YEARLY do you think Mr.
Cutter will be in soon?"
"He may" Miss Evans answered
kindly. "Quite often he is here be-
fore I am"
Quite often, yes perhaps once
or twice a year, but Miss Evans
wanted to encourage Virginia even
if she did have to stretch the truth
little. She was sorely conscience
smitten on Virginia's account.
Her mental state had not been a
pleasant once since she had beer
called into her EMPLOYERS office on