The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1952-10-24
Virginia Learns Truth
About Dudley PAGE

nave peen looking 1or MIN,
jimmy" Page heaved tired sigh as
he removed his muffler and flung it
across a chair. II thought it was
high time l came here to see what
l could do for you"
How badly hurt is Leonardo"
demanded Virginia, her new cap
trembling on her head like a trim
yacht riding the waves of a rough,
auburn-colored sea.
ASK me something easy" Page
looked away from the girl. He was
bare-headed and his black hair glist-
ened on his scalp. In spite of having
just come in from outside, he looked
less fresh-skinned than usual. He
passed out, jimmy, but he came to
again"
why did you let him play?"
Page looked down at the floor.
go ahead. Bawl me out" he
muttered. II guess have it coming
to me-"
The Moore girl, who had been
standing silent and self-contained by
the door, moved toward Dudley.
Protecting her tailored black suit
she wore dark raincoat with q
plaid-lined hood. She threw the hood
back and loosened her coat, saying
to Virginia, "You have no call to
lay bud out in lavendar. Blake was
the one who sent Leonard in to
play" Her bold eyes looked coolly
at Virginia, then she turned aside
and held out her hand toward Page.
Cigarette, bud? Mine got soaked"
Virginia said sharply, ''Dud must
have had some say about it,
The Moore girl addressed Page.
why don't you stand up for your
self?"
Harvey spoke.
''Virginia's been going through
q tough time here, not knowing
where her brother is or in what con-
dition."
II still don't know" cried Vir-
GINA, wringing her hands.
II realize that" Page said. He
was holding out a package of cigar
cites to the girl reporter while his
eyes sought Virginia's face. LAS I
said, he passed out and then :"
where is he? Where is her"
moaned Virginia.
''Dud doesn't know the answer to
that any more than you do" said
the Moore girl impatiently. She had
lighted her cigarette. She laid her
hand briefly on buds arm, smiled
at him, then walked with a mannish
stride across the room to a spot
near tall rubber plant. She stood
there smoking and eying Virginia.
Virginia stared back at her.
why do you act as if you owned
Dud?" she asked.
why don't you ask Dud?"
Virginia stood up, her hands
reaching behind her to clutch the
chair. Her eyes sought bud.
'What does she mean?"
Nothing, jimmy"
''She just reports things in her
paper for you, doesn't she, Dud?"
Sure" The good-looking, stocky
young coach threw Elizabeth a quick
glance, sharp and warning. Sure.
jimmy"
The Moore girl laughed.
Virginia's hands frightened on the
chair. She looked from Dudley Page
to Elizabeth Moore.
Phil Harvey put his hand out to
Virginia but she disregarded 1t.
"Dud's lying, isn't he?" she asked
the Moore girl. Hes in love with
you" Virginia's young breast
heaved once, then she went on with
out a change in tone. II was begin.
ming to suspect something was
wrong. He broke so many dates with
me and he was always in quarrel.
some mood when we did meet" Vir
ginia paused and moistened her lips.
Dudley Page made move toward
her but she backed away. you've
been fooling me, Dud. can see that
now. Playing up to me so you could
use my brother to get where you
want to be-" Understanding, and
with it, contempt, was growing in
Virginia's honest eyes as she con.
tinued, Leonard must have known
venous solution to child in one of
it. That was why he changed toward
you all of sudden. He knew about
you two" Her eyes went back to
Elizabeth.
Her voice broke. She collapsed
into the chair and sat crouched
there, her face hidden in her hands.
HE didn't want to play and you
forced him to-" she moaned.
Dudley Page, white-faced, started
toward the weeping girl but Phil
Harvey stepped between.
Get out" he said with quiet
ferocity. Get out, both of you"
Leonard was lying in the tall, wet
grass. Kate was aware of his pres
ence before she saw him. He was
reciting. AS she drew near, she