New Britain herald., 1928-06-01
added in self-defense. T suppose it dld,' Virginia ad


 T suppose it did," Virginia ad- mitted tolerantly; but you mustn't blame father. I'm sure he was trying to spare me from know ing 1t as long IS he could'
 Very likely. but it's too bad hs didn't realize how much harder it would be for you eventually" "Oh, I'm sure he expected to live long enough to see me happily mar red and he knew money wouldn't r mean so much to me then" You aren't breaking your en- zagement are you?" he asked with an eagerness that startled Virginia Until then she had actuly forgot ten that Oliver Cutter had once begged her to marry him, CHAPTER XXII
 Of course not" Virginia said em- phatlcallv. I'm surprised you ask me that. Oliver It seems that everyone doubts my sincerity" she complained with a touch of exssperatlon.
 I'm sorry Virginia Mlsunder- standing h. aroog,zed shortly. Most of us haven't any stardust left, l guess
 '1t makes me think none of you have ever been ln love" she sad recklesslv. That she had been in deed reckless she saw In his express sion the next instant
 That's hardly falr," he protest Al +F- entirely your fault that I've never lived for that much talked Of emo- tion ! like tc think ! could have ex- rerlenced lt with you, Virginia but you wouldn't listen 10 me and no other woman has given me even one little heart tug"
 Oliver don't talk nonsense. You might remember you're marrled
 He smiled Tt would an,use lea ne to hear that, Shes quite aware that our friends all know we've never mentioned love to each other She wouldn't mind my admitting ,t to you Tn fact I think she rather boasts of II It's about the claim either of us has to distinction. I fear
 'It's a decidedly unworthy dis tlnctlon, she told hin, with an edge on her voice But I don't believe you mean what you say and ] think you're simply corrupt to pretend lt ''
 Well never mind" he replied rlaeatlnsly- It doesn't matter SO much does # It's apparent that you still believe n Santa Claus, and let me tell you I'm Ead Of lt When you jumped on me so hard mo- ment ago for my hastv conclusion I was just going to tell you how dis appointed I'd be If you suddenly turned out to have feet Of clay I always did worship you bit you know, Virginia
 T wish you rouldnt say such things, Oliver It isn't decent. es- peclally m a business office
 'Ah. SO the cats out Of the bag. This IS business call"
 "Of course. What did you think 1t was7"
 Now you know you don't want me to answer that one Watch your step, Virginia, especially in husi- ness office
 "A fair hit" she agreed and laughed with him,
 But seriously. If there IS anything in the world I can do for you. Tlr- slnla. just let me do it
  don't yon'' she returned directly At times. yes, Is that what you wish to do' Make money ." She nodded wordlesely but her eyes spoke volumes
 "It's always risky game making money on the street. he pointed ont discourss slngly, And I thought you said you wouldn't need money to be happy with the man you're going to marry"
 A long moment slipped by before Virginia answered.
 T must have It 10 pay an ohliga- ton that father left 'she sad quiet ly, but her low voice carried over tones of emotion so poignant they stirred her nearer to at least a faint perception of her need. "Ill help you, if l can" he prom ised as quietly. It was as though both were aware of some invisible but powerful force that subdued their voices and made speaking difficult. He had caught the feeling from Nir- ginia, who was completely in the grip of suppressed excitement. To obtain Divers aid had been her one big. her only hope to make the money she must have to secure her