The Alaska citizen., 1910-11-07
kOLA:' 'MEsEE' THREE

My child. are you sure?" Mrs. Creston calculated with nervous lift of her brows
 Alice Moore. her daughter six months married, sat up suddenly, digging her fists. baby fashion. into muCh-swolleu eyes. She was an un commonly pretty young woman, but had wept and rayed herself out of all COmeliness in the hour she had waited for her mother. Mrs. Creston had answered q tempestuOus sum- mons. expecting nothing more than the usual afterhoneymoon quarrel, and been stunned by a demand to take her daughter home at once.
 As sure as one can be over the phone" Alice said, her voice break ing on every word. To think Joe should act so, I-I wouldn't mind so much-but to slight me for that hateful old thing"
 You forget you haven't told me," Mrs CrestOn CoaXed.
 Alice had sunk back among her pillows. From them she said: She's a Miss Smith-of all names-Joe knew her years ago it seems-and actually, she behaves as though he belonged to her. He has made me have her here-well, at first I didn't mind-though l never really liked her Still, she was so plain, and ever so much older than he was-I could not well object. And she has nice house of her own. and one meets good people there-the sort do want to get in with Her cook is an
 ,, steal the cook away-then Miss Smith came back at me, laughing hard
 "Do-if you can. Then I can take Joe with perfectly good con science"
 T must say that was bold" Mrs. Creston interrupted bridling.
 Her daughter went on: Joe laugh ed as much as any of us-but he hasn't been quite the same ever since, told him, coming here, thought she was an old Cat-and he said: What a pity more women aren't catty.' But the next day he brought me a new ring, and the day after took me to the opera-so l overlooked things until last week. Then We had box seats for the Sa- yoy-and simply couldn't lift my head-you know what my headaches are-how l cant bear anybody about me. l told Joe he must go-and he did-and took her-then today-I- l." She broke off, shuddering strongly, her hands over her face.
 "Well," Mrs. Creston encouraged,
 Alice sat up again, her hands to her forehead. You'll take me home. of course-and-and- lawyer 10 see about a separation I'll never agree to a divorce-it would please them too we'll"
 Alice! Cant you tell a straight story?" Mrs. CrestOn asked sharply.
 Again Alice shuddered: I'm com ing to the worst part" she said dropping her hands. This morning she called over the 'phone-rather made her maid call-that in itself was suspicious. When I answered l could hear her, indistinctly, prompt ing the girl what to say. And the girl said: Oh. Mrs. Moore, please tell MT. Moore, the moment he comes home he is wanted amidships -kola twenty-three. He'll understand-you won't forget?' Then of course I ask ed, Who wants him?' and the ans swer was, Just a family friend But be sure to send him-unless you do, he'll lose a great chance You see they have an understanding-talk in cipher as 1t were"
 What did you answer?" Mrs. Mrs. Creston asked,
 Alice bridled. 'I hung up the re- ceived with a bang" she said, be- ginning to beat a tattoo upon the carpet.
 Her mother sighed, knitting her forehead but after minute said: Well! There's nothing for it but to wait and watch. As sure as Joe Moore commits himself fully, home you come. I wish, though. you could wait a few years-he's rising so, you could get such splendid ali mony."
 An hour later Joe. the culprit. and the ensnaring Miss Smith stood con sidering covetously three particu- larly fine rugs. Each was unique af ter its kind-together they were the pitiful wreck and remnant of a poor sentleman's collection. The collector was in a hospital and would never laave 1t alive. Miss Smith had some how found out about him. and was A4tn~ hAr hacy ta oolv> prtda Un