New Britain herald., 1928-07-02
CHAPTER NLNIII

VI 06 dN dAC ~ACA AAO telephone rang. It might have rung at any hour of the night or early morning and she would still have Heen awake to answer the call.
 She hobbled stiffly over to the instrument. stiff from her long held, rigid position.
 She took down the receiver and put it to her ear. She almost col lapsed like an exploded balloon when she heard the voice of the man who had called her.
 Mir. Leigh,
 He was coming rlght over. Would she be down as soon as she could to see him? Virginia prom ised.
 Conjectures were seethins in her head like whirlwind. Too many questions to put into the form Of words.
 In half an hour she was down. stairs, held in the arms of skin\ giant and roundly kissed.
 Thought you could fool me didn't you" he leased her. Just as l never saw a wounded man or animal. Once I shot a doe. After that l stuck to tigers. They d have been glad 10 do the same to me"
 What are you talking about ?' Virginia exclaimed when she. got her breath. ''Oh, you don't know how glad I am you've come, that you're well enough to be here. l need friend now" she added weakly and flew back into his arms to sob there.
 Fortunately 1t was too early for anyone to be sharing the parlor with them. but Virginia did not even think Of the possibility of wit nesses to the scene.
 Lets sit down and confide in each other" he suggested, leading her 10 a davenport.
 T knew something was wrals, be went on when Virginia hesitat- sd to begin her story: 50 l cabled up here to a lawyer I know. You see, Virginia, I had troubles Of my own when l heard of your father passing on, so l didn't do what l should have done. I ought to have found out who was handling his estate and told them of Richard interest in my sugar plantation.
 Virginia squeezed his hand. Father considered that only an ex- pression of his gratitude to you for saving his life,' she said.
 That's no reason why he should not benefit from it as l have. The sugar people have bought me out. I'd have let go before if I'd known that Richard left you penniless.
 Virginia smiled sadly. T hope you haven't sacrificed your planta- ton for my sake" she said. You see am going to marry a very rich man-tomorrow, presume.
 Leigh noticed her eyes expand with terror and tremor pass through the hand that lay in his Virginia had sought to speak calm ly. dreading to have him know tha' nothing could make her happy. The poor thousands that he had sold hi lands for were, like her own l2 useless to her now.
 Wont you tell me all about it?' he urged tenderly. 1T know tha you're hiding something that's eat ing your heart out. If money car help you I've brought you your ia ther's share of the sale, and you are welcome to mine. too. All to- gcther it would make a tidy sun if it were a poor man you'd ratheI be marrying.
 He spoke with a little lessenint of the warmth in his voice. The idea that Richard Brewster's gir could marry for money did not si we'll on his mind. And it looked as if that were the case.
 Two young people ought to ge along pretty well on $500 h. added lamely.
 Virginia Was stunned. But onl! for an instant. Then she literall! threw herself at him, grasping hin by the shoulders and shaking hin Nulit lsdio OI JoS aiiA SNS'N~A''NAA rained down her cheeks.
 Do you mean it? DO you meal it? Have you really got all tha money Really and truly"
 Oddly Leigh was shocked, ant presently Virginia perceived tha he must think she had gone out o her head. Then she told him tn story-told it in detail. betwee1 epells of laughter and sobs.
 '1'd like 10 have that man fl Haiti.' Leigh remarked amen Frederick bean. "The sharks arr especially fond of yellow dogs. ] will be some satisfaction, though in getting the money and rammin, 1t down his neck
 But Virginia preferred to ar range it differently. "J don't trus him." she said. Lets make hin rome to MT Gardinor's office an' take it before witnesses. Then h. can't deny that NC paid Il. 4 checl will do."
 And 50 ii vas Gardiner sen for Frederick bean. They calle' in Dr. Neyerling also. NirginI' wanted him to he present becaus she surmised he might know some