The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-08
! WRnern A l@lI1Sir'N Loves


But he soon forgot about it in the
happiness of receiving the congrat-
ula ions of his friends. They were a
joyous herd that came mostly in
groups, each with a central figure
a famous man or woman.
Chiri came in late, with two faS-
cinated young males and pale, in
different poet. Dance with me,
Mel" she begged when some one
began talking with Virginia.
Nathaniel, overlooking with good
will, was about to comply with her
request when his butler, hired for
the occasion, came to tell him he
was wanted on the telephone. He
turned to speak to Virginia, but the
man put up a warning finger and
Nathaniel noticed then that his face
was grave and his manner one of
suppressed excitement. He asked
Chiri to excuse him and withdrew
with the butler.
There is trouble at the Brew
they were out Of earshot of Vir-
ginia. Mr.. Brewster's man is on
ster home, sir the man said when
the wire. He said not to let Miss
Virginia know until he had talked
with you. us her father, sir"
Something like a cold finger
seemed to reach into Nathanieps
heart and coil round it for an in
slant. Nathaniel knew it was fear
His mind, sensitive and psychic, had
leaped to a dozen alarming conjec-
lures and settled to the conviction
Of tragedy.
Though not a skeptic, yet he knew
that life allowed no perfect bliss
and his recent happiness had been
SO great as really to concern him
about the inevitable rift.
But Virginia! Why must it touch
her? He paused for a moment at
the door of the small room adjoin-
ing his studio, which he used as
bedroom, and glanced back at the
girl whose joys and sorrows must
henceforth be his joys and sorrows
No foreboding seemed to trouble her
now. She was smiling, being gra-
ciouS to his friends. Nathaniel was
proud of her, of her calm beauty
and poiSe.
He took up the ear-phone reluct-
antly. There was bad news for Vir-
ginia, and he must carry it to her.
Hello, Damn speaking" His voice
brought a rush of information ut
tered in frightened whisper that
barely carried to him. Nathaniel
made out the fact that Virginia's
father was dead.
Have you called a physician?" he
shouted.
IN get one at once, sir" came
back family in reply, and Nathaniel
heard a click that told him the con-
nection had been broken.
He stepped to the door, uncertain
of the best thing to do. He might
beckon her but she was not
looking his way. Then he saw her
dancing. A slight tremor shook him
and left his flesh cold. Dancing!
Laughing, too, and he could see the
grim shadow of the reaper over the
gay crowd, dimming the joy, mock
ing ambition and hope.
Would he have to go and take Vir-
GINA from her partners arms? He
drew upon the courage that must
never fail her, took step forward
and was halted by touch on his
arm.
MEL What is it?"
"Chiri! Go and tell those must
clans to stop playing"
1t was like Chiri, so unbalanced
in her way with men, and yet SO I'M
derstanding and quick to grasp the
essential elements of any situation,
to move off swiftly and without
comment to do as Nathaniel babe
her.
AS the music came to an unmelo-
die end Nathaniel reached Virginia's
side.
please excuse her, Lionel" he
said to the man she had been dane
ing with; there's been something
happening at her home and We'll
have to go at once. Will you tell
the others?"
Purposely he had given Virginia
a few seconds to realize that trou-
BILE was impending. When he turned
to her he saw that already fear was
changing her features.
Lets get your wraps. Is your
car downstairs"
Virginia grasped his arm with
both hands. People were gathering
round them now, but she did not
notice. Tell me-" she demanded;
tell me. Mel, what has happened
q. my father
81 don't know for certain.
Well go at once"
He was leading Virginia toward
the door now, where he saw Chiri
standing with Virginia's blue and
silver wrap.
In the car Virginia made him tell
her of the message from Pounds,
her fathers valet. One moaning,
protesting mo" burst from her lips
when Nathaniel said Pounds feared
the worst, and Nathaniel then tried
to tell her that the man could not
have been sure; he had not yet
called a doctor when he telephoned
the studio.
Virginia accepted his words in
stricken silence. The drive home
was a nightmare of tortured uncer-
tainty.
A man, evidently a physician,
lifted his head and looked solemnly
at Virginia and Nathaniel when
they entered her fathers library.
Ito Be Continued