The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-07-05

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 job in a cheap cabaret in the East End. That's where I met Freddy.
 He took an interest in me, offered
 me money for lessons and nice clothes. Well, I took the money. What else could l do? It was that or nothing.
 Tn return, I've been helping him from time to time" It seemed diff ficult for her to continue, but she did so resolutely. "Yes, you may as well know it. Freddy's a crook High class jobs, night clubs and the like are his speciality :" Her voice broke off suddenly. The horror in Brynmor's eyes seemed to deprive her of speech. Yet she couldn't see anything very dread full in what she'd told him already. The worst part was to come /. that telephone call last night. As for the rest, she couldn't see that crooks were much different than anyone else. Until recently she had been rather proud of her association with Gentleman Fred dy."
 Brynmor had a sinking sensation. Several times before he had sus- pected that Freddy Mason wasn't on the level, yet the truth shocked him profoundly. And Clarice--it wasn't possible to believe that she had been mixed up with him! | Cbsessed by a sudden idea, he stammered, That nighttime rob- bery at the Emerald Dragon?" She nodded, and her lips quiv- cred. Brynmor felt his head reel. This was awful! He had expected something unpleasant--but nothing like this. Clarice-a thief. It was [unthinkable
 I "Yes, helped Freddy Tn that" she admitted, more calmly now T couldn't avoid doing so. Besides, I didn't know that you meant to marry me--then. Ever since we've been engaged I haven't done thing that you might be ashamed of. I-I love you, Bryn. I've always wanted to marry a chap like you, clean, decent, straight" Her voice cracked. For once, the tears on her cheek were real. She wasn't shamming any longer and she realized suddenly that she hated sham. Yet what a lot of it had been in her life!
 | She was glad, however, that she had told Brynmor It was a dis tinct relief to her. Whatever hap pened as a result, she was glad that her cards, for once, were face up on the table.
 | Still there was silence. Mason fseemed to be enjoying it. She mutt tered again, half to herself, T do love you,. Bryn." And she knew it was true.
 Brynmor stared down at the pat tern in the rug. There was per- lplexity written on his face. He seemed to be in a daze.
 There's something more, too,"I Clarice choked. The worst was to come. After that, she felt that nothing could save her. Last night Freddy came in and we talked. Then, later, after he had gone"
 | Leave that part to me, Clary," Mason broke in He was smiling triumphantly. "Ill explain the rest for you. You look all tired out. f You see, Whittamore, last night fClary told me that she couldn't possibly go through with the we'd ding without first telling you about her connection with me. I argued with her, and told her not to be such a fool. urged her to go ahead and marry you, and leave this matter unmentioned. Then I wished her good luck, but she would not agree to my plan.
 She insisted that you must know it all. So promised to come here tonight and support her story while she told you :. That's it, isn't it dear?"
 It was obvious that Mason was lying, but Brynmor felt too weak to do anything about it. He buried his face in his hands. 1 For moment Clarice stared at him. Then she collapsed, threw herself on the couch. and her whole , , body was wracked by long, shud- dering sobs.
 When she did glance up, after few minutes, Brynmor was stand ing beside her. staring down at her. His face was wooden and express sionless. She clenched her hands about the cushion, then rose to her fleet abruptly
 | "Go away, Bryn, please!" she pleaded For my sake, please go!' l nrty ant I.tr 1. &z l.s