The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-10-09

is to explain her to him-no one-l until I give the word. Is that clear? Frankly, I fear for his req son if he is given the truth just now. And don't forget this,' he added, as a parting thrust, If his reason is affected he won't be left in charge of your affairs. Your mother named others in her will, remember, who were to act if your brother could not"
 T wasn't thinking of putting into Socks affairs if you say not" pro- tested Lester. Nevertheless, when the doctor had departed for his in- terview with Hallie he left in Les ter's mind strong recollection of the trap-mouthed lawyer and the snug cleric who would take Socks place as censors of Lester's matri- monial choice . No, Lester would do nothing to upset his brothers mental balance. Not yet, anyhow
 Lester returned to thoughts of Hallie. Something in Lytton's man. ner had rammed home the astound- ing truth that Hallie, loved by a man as beautiful as young god and rich and sought after, yet pre- ferred his blind and impoverished and elder brother.
 It was early evening. It occurred to him that he had not seen his brother since the disaster to his eyes and that Lytton had not spe- cially forbidden a visit. It would not be bad idea to present him. self in the study.
 He left the drawing room in which he had been lounging most of the day and sauntered across the hall. Garfield, the butler, was com ing from the study, and, to Lester's faint contempt, had tears in his eyes. He removed them and apolo- gized
 Such a terrible thing this about MT. Grannock's blindness, sir. After all our hopes" He dropped his voice to a whisper. And all due, I'm given to understand, to a mistake on the part of the night nurse."
 Evidently, thought Lester, Lyt- ton had had the sense to leave the full story untold to the staff.
 And I'm sure" continued Gar field, T should be the last to dis turb MT. Grannock in any little. one might say, delusion-that he may have about the young lady. I trust you're feeling better today, sir?"
 Got head, Garbage Got rot ten head. But see you've removed that old stand that used to be in the corner over there That's mak- ing me feel better, whole lot better
 I'm afraid you must have stum- bled against that yourself, sir, last night when you came in. You don't recall a crash of any kind, sir? The plant stand was in pieces this morning. I'm afraid MT. Grannock will be displeased when he sees it."
 When" echoed Lester, meaning ly.
 Garfield glanced at him-the glance he might have given to a defective but lovable child. Lester passed on and into the corridor that would bring him to the study. How short it was! He remembered carrying Hallie along it-only in the other direction-last night and fearing that the distance would be too great for his strength.
 And then a curious thing hap pened to Lester Broom. It was giy- en to him to believe that along this corridor, one day, he would walk to his doom. The door at the end the door of the study-would open for him and shut behind him and that would be all. The shut ting of the door would be the last sound his ears would hold and the tunnel of the corridor would be the last picture stamped upon his fading mind.
 He stopped in his stride. He was trembling, sweating, sick. His eyes were upon the door and it was opening. He felt that he was going to scream. But instead of scream ing he was laughing
 "Oh, please, MT. Broom snapped Nurse Casey. She had come softly through the study door and now barred his passage MT. Grannock is dozing and he must be allowed to rest. Dr. Lytton was very par ticular about rest.
 Lester went on laughing, but softly. Lord, what fright this dumpy earnest little creature had given himl At least, he supposed it was her Adding with the door that had started 1t all.