The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-07-07
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lived on prickly pears and liked them! Anyway, they're safe in Bris- bane now, and Gay Girls being mended. In a few days they're going to continue the flight"
 Brynmor decided that further comment was expected from him.
 That's fine. You say you've had cable already?"
 Mary Lou nodded. Tt arrived just before I left the shop"
 And what did he say?' asked Brynmor, although he had nc great desire to know.
 "Oh, not much, except a lot of mechanical details and their future plans"
 I'm sure that's not all," Bryn- nor remarked slyly
 Not quite" Mary Lou admitted. She continued eating and smiled to herself.
 Brynmor still was annoyed by the thought that Mary Lou hadn't seemed to remember that he also had something to tell her. It was rather thoughtless of Tithering- ton, he reflected, to get himself rescued on this particular day.
 In the end, however, it was Mary Lou herself, who broached the subject.
 Please forgive me, Brynmor, for being so utterly absorbed in my own affairs. I've been almost hys- terical about Tony lately-I could not think of anything else. What did you tell me the other day about your marriage? I was so ob sessed in my worry over Tony that didn't even catch the drift of what you said. Haven't you some thing exciting to tell me?"
 Scarcely exciting" Brynmor cor rected, with a wry smile. He was nonplussed that she had paid no attention to his announcement of only few nights ago.
 What is it? Please tell me"
 I'm not going to be married, that's all"
 Mary Lou at once became duly concerned.
 What a shame, Should I be sorry?"
 "Well, I don't know" Brynmor reflected This is in strict confi- dence, but I'll tell you It appears that Clarice was in cahoots with a chap known to the police as Gentleman Freddy"
 But that's excitino, isn't it?" Mary Lou interrupted Wouldn't it be fun if you had married her and had a real live crook in the family? They're frightfully fash ionable just now, you know"
 Her happiness was irrepressible, but Brynmor looked pained
 Its no laughing matter for me, assure you" He felt that she was turning his tragedy into a joke. "You see, I happened to be rather fond of Clarice."
 "Then why didn't you marry her?" she demanded. "You could have reformed her. I thought all men loved to reform their wives 1 The expression on his face caused her to pause.
 Forgive me, Brynmor." Hel voice softened. q know it's horri- bly impolite of me to behave like this. really am sorry. It must have been terrible shock"
 Ut was," he admitted.
 Mary Lou leaned across the ta- ble and gave his hand quick tigh squeeze.
 "Buck up, old dear. Try to laugl about it. I've had to try that late ly, and I know it helps to tid over the rough spots" Her optimism rather stabilizet Brynmor's shaken feelings. H looked across at Mary Lou and dis covered, suddenly. that she reall was most satisfying He like the way she was wearing her haii You've changed considerabl since last summer, Mary Lou, n remarked.
 Have I?" she smiled. I've bee educated, you know" And not by books?" She shook her head pensivel. "Oh, no, book learning doesn't mea much to girl. It's other thing that count-things a mother can teach you-things you must lear $ for yourself. Don't you think Iv y improved?"
 T liked you last summer" Bryr - nor unused, evading her question ' "You were so unspoiled and naiN T then"
 Yet, that didn't mean a thin T. to you" she ccuntered, "once yc