The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-05-12
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!. be any OF his friends to engage him
in conversation and delay his get.
ting to Virginia's apartment.
When he arrived there he was
prepared to endeavor to make her
believe he had come round to her
way Of thinking. II she would not
marry him now there was no use
in making her more miserable than
she already was, he told himself.
Virginia greeted him most fiat
teringly. She looked very tired
and fragile in a black chiffon host
ess gown. and when Nathaniel
came to lcr she went into his arms
and relaxed In his embrace with
soft sigh. 1t made Nathaniel feel
very manly. He bent his head and
buried his lips in the verbena
scented lure that was her hair
Then he rubbed his cheek against
it very gently.
Il was BRUTE to you yesterday"
he confessed: but I'm different TO-
day. won't make you unhappy
again, sweetheart"
Virginia lifted her head to look
at him.
Last night, thinking about you
and how you felt about my going
to Mr.. Deans l wondered II you
would believe that I don't care
enough for you. Mel, to do as you
ask" she said.
Il did doubt you l.ttle," Ma.
thaniel confessed but the way he
said it revealed to Virginia that he
no longer doubted her.
II called you early this morning
because I was afraid you wouldn't
want to come and / had to know
II you felt like that" she fastened
to contide.
Nathaniel laughed at her. "Do
you think my love is made of self
conceit? That II l can't have my
owE way l will stop loving?"
mo, but want you to know
that I don't love you selfshly
either. I want to give in to you
with all my heart, Mel, darling, but
that would be selfish because !
know it isn't best"
Nathaniel compressed his lips
over an impulse to argue with her
After all, he had nothing but a
groundless objection to her plan
and his own disappointment to
back him up in opposing her. And
he wanted to make her happy.
"At least you will promise to
marry mo soon. Virginia? You
ought to go fifty.fifty with me on
giving in, you know"
Il know I should. Mel. You're
being very good. Just let me &c.
over this terrible blow and then
perhaps ! won't be so fearful Of
the future. I'll try to see things
| as you do"
They sealed their agreement with
the seal OF the ages between men
and women and then Nathaniel
asked to DO put to work. There
were few books and pictures that
Virginia felt entitled to take away
with her and these she and Ma.
thaniel packed into q couple OF
suitcases. They had to go over
the place carefully to make sure
that nothing she ought to take,
such as papers and personal be.
longings, was left behind.
Nathaniel glanced frequently at
Virginia, watching solicitously for
signs OF breakdown. 1t was a sad
task. this saying goodby to home
and happy past. Nathaniel's own
eyes smarted more than once as he
saw Virginia surreptitiously press
beloved object to her heart and
then replace It with reluctant
hands.
For what he felt would be the
only time In his life he welcomed
the presence Of Clarissa when she
appeared with demurring young
man in her wake. The call would
serve to take virginia's mind OF
the past, he hoped. but . moment
later he had cause enough to 20.
greet his credence.
Ito Be C0ntinucd)