New Britain herald., 1928-05-31
THIS HAS HAPPENED

NlESlnld Hl6WStoI, upon tHe ouI- den death of her father. goes to live with a friend. Her fiance, Nathan iel Damn, objects to this for he mistrusts Deans motives. Upon phoning Nlel's studio late one night. Virginia is surprised when his model. Chiri, answers. This causes a quarrel which IS later mended.
 Hoping to get Mel away. Dean arrangss to have hlm offered po- eitlon in San Francisco. Mel hegs Virginia 10 marry him and go west, hut she refuses to let him sacrifice hls art.
 Clarlssa becomes jealous of Mr. sinia, and the latter resolves to leave but Dean opposes her depar- ture and asks her to marry him When she refuses. he threatens 10 reveal the fact that her father cheated hlm out of sl00,o0h. Beck lasslv. Virginia pledges 10 marry him If she fails to earn the money to repay him ln one years tune. She then leaves and seeks qWet, respectable hotel Tn which TO live, after learning that her bank balance is overdrawn and pawn,ns one of her rlngs She goes 10 Niel's studio for tea and 10 tell him Of her de parture from the Deans. Part Of her happiness at seeing hlm Is spoiled by the presence If his mo- del. Chirl. nho shows no hasts in departing,
 NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
 CHAPTER xxx
 Nathanlel's ardent pleading came to a whispered end. Virginia re- mained quiet, his cheek touching hers, his heart filled with victory
 Exquisite release from pain, from doubt and haunting fear She was tired and his embrace uas 2 rest ful haven. soothing her with sense of peace and security. They did not count the moments as they passed. the moments of bliss, but one came at last that broke the spell for Virginia IT. brought the reckoning of this sweet surrender crashing through the forgetfulness Nathaniel had lulled into her mind
 She was out of his arms in one liehtnlng-llk movement, l"Oh. Mel" she cried trantlcally. you're making me forget
 Nathaniel gasped Virginia
 Don't touch me. please" she . begged tearfully. You don't un- derstand"
 Nathaniel stood back from her, worried and not 8 little frightened, Had her troubles affected her mindo Sit down. please he said with gentle command. T promise not to touch you Shall ! get you a glass ot water?'
 The commonplace question seem ed to restore Virginia to 3 degree of cslmness that permitted her to ap rreciate the strangeness of her out burst,
 "oh. Mel" she sohhed, sinking suddenly into her chair I love YOU with all my heart but you mustn't talk to me about mar riage."
 He knelt beside her in stricken silence. He was afraid 10 speak to her lest he arouse her to further irresponsible declarations.
 Presently she lifted her head from her arms and put hand on his "Your hands like ice,' she exclaim cd in surprise.
 Will you talk 10 me7' he said, ignoring the condition of his hands.
 If you will promise not to make love 10 me as you did.'
 My God, Virginia I'm on fire for you I want 10 take care of be to let you live alone now. when VOL need someone to comfort you more than you ever will again ?'
 "YouNe no idea how much the thought Of your love comforts me. Nlel. darling. But I've made up my mind not to lose myself in happ,- ness until until it's so soon since fathers death. you know" she ended haltlngly-
 y don't want to throw you into mysteries again. Nathaniel told her but it seems to me you aren't giving much consideration to my feelings. Aside from that l know your father would not want you to live alone He'd be the first to ad- vlse you 10 listen to me"
 You must let me be the ludge of that. Mel In spite of the llh- ertv he allowed me, father was d most conve ntlonal person. He often said our modern speed was in very bad taste. And to marry 1T
 But Virginia, l.just want VOL to name 2 day, II needn't l." tol few weeks If you insist but vol eve me something. If you loNed me as much as l do you, ! pouldn'' have 10 urge our weddi.g SC strongly
 "You ha'o no light 10 say that NiAl. No one can understand 1us how another person t""ls ahou things IT yop knew If VOL were ln my rlaCe
 T rouldnr 1roW 20 much about love. I'm afrsld, Nathsnlal put III rasslonatelv
 Virginia shrank hark from hu