The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-12-05

doSulli.
 The colored maid appeared once more at the head of the stairs.
 T was fixin to drive with him as fur as de en' ob de lane an get de mail, Miss Peggy"
 "All right"
 Back once more in the bedroom she found Obadiah Evans staring at the high dresser.
 How about looking in the draw ers?" he suggested, and taking her consent for granted, pulled out first one and then another.
 Instantly Peggy was at his side and the two of them gazed curi- ously at the linen piled in orderly array; sheets, pillow cases and toweling; the next drawer held a pair of blankets; the one above that was empty, while the top drawer contained the family bible-a cum bersome affair which Obadiah lifted out with some difficulty, as the book was wedged in the narrow space.
 Nothing to get excited about" '" commented Obadiah, dryly, as he shut the drawer. well, Miss Pres colt. we'll be darn sight more comfortable upstairs, I'm thinking 7
 She nodded absently, her gaze reverting to the bed Its box springs and thick mattress were bare of linen for sheets and blank cts, neatly folded, lay on top of the mattress. Peggy's stare grew in tensified. She had visited West Point and had seen similarly ar ranged cots in the cadets tents. "Coming?" suggested Obadiah, and the hint of impatience in his voice was unmistakable. Peggy stepped past him, hesitated, then turned back and picked up the family Bible and went upstairs. Will you lock up, please?"
 T don't know why Uncle Herbert kept the room locked, but I'll feel somewhat easier if it is locked again unti''-dropping her voice until we understand why"
 "That's not acting foolish, that's acting sensible" returned Obadiah. "You go ahead and I'll lock up.
 Obadiah extinguished one candle, then another, until only one was left burning on it's improvised can dlestick. Turning back to the bedroom door, he pushed the hasp over the staple, first taking from the latter the paddock dangling from it. He balanced the paddock and it's new-made keys in the palm of his hand for second or two then. taking from his pocket anoth- CT of similar make, he quickly sub stituted the second paddock for the first and snapped it around the Istaple. Pocketing Prescott's ole paddock, he picked up the candle and went softly up the stairs. T can't stay" he explained as Peggy pushed forward a chair. MT Chase said to tell you he'd be by tomorrow.
 Obadiahs palpable efforts te make small talk as he edged towarc the front door would not have escaped Peggy's keen perceptions had she not been contriving in hel own mind how to extract informa tion without seeming to do so. q am glad MT. Chase is stii with you,o she said, following hin to the door. You would be lonei! otherwise without Jim.'
 | Jim? Oh, aye"
 l Obadiah stopped and picked ul his hat which he had let slil through his awkward fingers.
 "Jim's due tonight. Take car of yourself and don't worry; l de clare you are looking better"-Peg BY had switched on the porchligh and he caught the sudden sparki lin her eyes and her heightened col
 or.
 Obadiah eyed her with uncon cealed admiration-to him she per 7 sonified lovely, gracious girlhood. Well, good-by," and trampe away.
 Copyright, D. Appleton and CO Peggy pays visit to Echo l Farm and suffers a mishap. -x