The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-30
CHAPTER XLVII
KXTHAT effect the statement had


VXTHAT effect the statement had
w upon Virginia Chiri could not
learn. The ability to hide her real
feelings was something that Virginia
had mastered.
She merely nodded her head
slowly and said: It suppose so; Mel
has become famous, hope"
Chiri snapped upright in her
chair HE might have if you hadn't
made it impossible for him to
work." she exclaimed. His first
mural was cold, unfinished, but it
brought him a new commission. He
isn't able to touch it, though"
Virginia jumped to her feet.
why do you tell me this?" she
asked warmly.
Chiri laughed, with a ripple of
victorious undertone.
Because it explains what hap
pened one night after Mel came
back to the studio from wearing
out the pavementS. Walking you
out of his life"
Virginia's eyes widened, but she
waited in silence for the rest of the
story.
She saw it now. Chiri had come
to claim conquest. She breathed
a prayer for that embrace on the
pier.
1t was like a shield now, pro-
tecting her from believing anything
she might hear.
And did he succeed?" she asked
quietly when Chiri failed to go on.
mo, he didn't" the girl said sur
prisingly. HE never will succeed.
But he will always hate you, too.
for you cannot marry him"
She spoke the last words with
low, hard emphasis and looked at
Virginia with direct candor.
Virginia started. That is some
thing for Mr.. Damn and myself to
discuss" she said icily
And me-" Chiri said softly. Its
a triangular affair now"
Virginia suppressed an impulse to
refuse to listen any longer. There
was conviction in the girls words
and manner.
She was either telling the truth or
she was a consunmate actress.
Virginia felt herself impressed IN
spite OF her firm faith in Nathaniel.
There's a chink in every armor, +"
Chiri went on. Il found the one in
Nathaniers. It's all in knowing the
psychological hour in which to look
for it.
He will not marry me, he doesn't
need to, because he didn't start the
thing. I'm perfectly willing to take
all the responsibility only e.
he cannot marry you either. II he
does I promise you never to give up
searching for other chinks."
Virginia had rounded the foot OF
the bed, was leaning against it, her
hands outspread upon the imitation
mahogany.
Her head was thrown back and
ewes closed. She remained so for a
moment that worried Chiri.
Then suddenly she looked at the
other girl with a gaze so discon-
certingly straight that Chiri flushed.
Virginia smiled. You know 1
don't believe you," she said easily
And to herself she added: BE p
cause Mel never would nave come
to me again.
Chiri rose, shrugged her snoul-
Gers. IF you wish to live in a fools
naradise =" she trailed of sug-
gestively and stopped.
virginia walked to the door anc
held it open for her.
II am sorry for you" she said,
because you will never win
Nathaniel with a lie"
Her voice held indefinite com
passion for one who had oungled
a rare chance at happiness
happiness can really be found III
the role of comforter to a heart
broken lover.
"Oh, hell" Chiri said and walked
through the open door.
That was the last Virginia saw
of her for a long time.
But she was not to escape a Sec
ond unWelcome caller III CIe pei
son of Frederick Dean.
He had communicated a wish to
see her and Virginia consented In
the faint hope that he would not
presume unless it we're to her ad-
vantage.
Besides, she had another reason
for seeing him. He had become, In
her mind, a monster.
Could she marry him? She turned
her head and studied him now as
they were whisked through all
entrance to Central Park.
They had gone out in his car be-
cause Virginia did not care to meet
him In the hotel.
There we're no horns on his fore
head, certainly, but Virginia shud-
dered nevertheless.
And the touch of his hand on her
arm as he assisted her into the car
still remained to fill with horror the
thought of becoming his wife.
Don't you think we might begin
to discuss our wedding plans?" he
FNH VVYN .. n