The daily Alaskan., 1916-09-20

have occurred to turn BRbcock's anger upon him. The simple fact of his walking on Sixth avenue or any other thoroughfare during his incoming could not account for this inquisition
 Then, all at once he remembered Celia Hart had once said she had met Skin Babcock several times. and liked him.
 Casey's face grew cold and hard
 five an interest in you, Tim" said ] Skin with. a sudden change of tone.
 "Tm obliged"
 "Have you ever wanted to go into the trucking business. for yourselfT a,
 The younger mans face underwent a brief change.
 "Every man looks to bettering him self," he said warily elt s.. l-.
 'Pd let you have the old stable on West street and three teams-Td give 'em to you"
 "What for7" demanded Casey bluntly.
 Skiff dropped subterfuge and looked his driver square, in the eye. s.'.-
 "Youu understand when l tell yon that I've made up my mind to marry Celia Hart! Look what | can give her diamonds. an autymobile. all the money she wants to spend and hired | girl to do her work What can you give her-eh?" Ills sheer could not be suppressed. "For the sake of the girl I should think you'd step back, Casey! She's too dne to work herself to the bone as the wife of poor truck driver. AS Mrs. Sllff RRhcock she'd live like a lady. You stand or and I'll set you up in business-you'r smart and can stand where do ten years from now. You'll never have another chance" -.....
 Ashcn faced. Casey stared back at him.
 "I'n not do itr' be muttered
 "What is your price then?' demanded sklfr impatiently. "Name 1t and I'll pay It."
 "Me price?" stammered Casey. And he seemed to ponder the question
 "Yes your price. Name It and I'll pay E." Sklfr smiled cOmplacently. Things were coming hls way He nev- CT had known this treatment to fail
 Every man has his price.
 Suddenly Casey's head went up. Me price is this" he said heavily-"me price Is this. Send for Celia Hart and let her choose between us" ... ..-
 SkiR's smile faded. Its no way to treat q lady Itll scare her" he said | doubtfully. --..
 Its me price" reiterated Casey sul- lenly. Let her have the say. l don't want your job"
 Skiff Babcock nodded shortly and pulled the telephone toward him. He called up the milliner's where Celia Hart worked and asked that she be sent at once !n a taXicab to the office of the SklHt Babcock Trucking con- pany, and then be sat back and waited nervously for her coming ..,
 Tim Casey leaned against the oppo- site wall, white faced, with miserable eyes.
 What girl would hesitate at choosing between the plump, well dressed and obviously rich proprietor and the shirt sleeved truck driver? He wished that he had knocked Skin down when the suggestion was first made. But Celia ought to have chance to better herself. Celia was a lovely. bright creature. and the best was none too good for her. But was skiff Babcock the best2
 Celia should decide.
 A half hour licked away, and at last A taxi drew up to the curb. and slim, black gowned form crowned with coral hat all askew flew into the office and looked dazedly around.
 whats happened to Timmy| she demanded breathlessly.
 Then her eyes fell upon Tim Casey, standing there so grim and silent, and she ran to him and flung herself on his breast
 "Ah, Timmy, thought you was dead. or somethingw she cried. What Is the matter?"
 skiR Babcock stepped into small adjoining room.
 Tim Casey's great chest heaved. but he did not unfold his arms to enctrcle her.
 Celia" he said hoarsely, "you're promised to me. and I'm a poor man. But suppose there was another man. rich and better'n me. Some one like Skin Babcock. Which would you choose. eh? He's got m autymobile and diamonds. and his wife could live like a lady"
 Celia Hart shook hls shoulder vigor- ously. Tim Casey, believe you're sun struck or something, you act so queer"
 "Would you. Celia 2"
 "Did you call me away from trim ming my wedding hat-yes, sir. I'm getting my hat at Mime. Moriarty's, with the best of 'em, and she set me to trimming 1t myself. And you called me away from that to ask me would l marry Skiff Babcock"
 "Yes."
 "Wen, you can take 1t from me that 1