The Daily Alaska empire., 1930-10-17

gone back to London, you see, SC
 had to let him think I fixed
 things up with you there"
 T think you're insane" and at
 that moment Hallie did think it.
 A group of people passed the
 shelter. They looked curiously in as they struggled along and Hallie
 seized upon their protecting pres
 ence. She stood up.
 "Ill go back home, I think There 1 is absolutely no sense in this kind
 of discussion. You'll have to eX-
 plain away your telegram as best you can. And, Lester" she paused
 "Well?D
 T have made inquiries and my real name is Conaldine. Rose Con- aldine. That is the name under
 which your brother knows me. You'll have to remember that care fully. It's easiest if you just forget that Nurse Ellesmore ever existed" Lester smiled at her. Charming nJJIe thing, aren't you? Just forget that Nurse Files more ever existed Quite simple. Only, you see, I cant forget her. As for all this Rose Conaldine business with Socks, I shan't give you away Why should I? You can go on playing the ministering angel for while after we're married and then fade gently out of his life like they do in the movies. But you are going to marry me; and quite soon." You're simply prosecuting me-" she said in low voice. You wouldn't dare-you wouldn't dare if your brother were here!9 Lester laughed
 You're getting mixed up, aren't you, little one? It's you, not l., who are so anxious that Socks shall think this, that and the other thing Personally, I think it would be better to les him see how things really are. IL would be a shock to him, in a way, of course, but it wouldn't last and he might even come to see the funny side of it."
 Bully and coward" Hallie whis- pered, bully and coward, Lester. And I thought I loved you!'
 You did love me" Lester said, breaking fragments off the rock face and letting them chatter idly down to the shore below And you will again. Don't you worry your head about that"
 You're blackmailing me, you know"
 "Ch, blackmail, nothing Why, at that rate, every time you make someone see the other side of a question you're blackmailing 'em.
 "Youre blackmailing me in the most cowardly way possible. It seems that in sp.1e of your pledge to Dr. Lytton-in spite of the fact that you as well as I were to blame for what happened that night you're threatening to tell Saxely who I am. Unless I marry you"
 "Oh, don't be that way. LOOK at it from my point of view. Here am, tied by crazy will to Socks apron-strings. I've got to have his consent before I marry and I've got to marry before I can touch 9 penny of my own money. And when Socks finally signifies that he ap- proves of our marrying-you go and back outl Its"
 "Wait" Hallie broke in breath lessly. Nurse Casey told me, but I didn't believe it then, that you had been talking to Saxely about me, worrying him, she said, for his consent to marry me-
 She was evesdropping, was she
 That was after I'd said I would ] not marry you?" pressed Hal lie. After I'd refused?"
 "Oh, lord, darling, forget it! Let's go in town and have some fun. I'm going back anyway Socks doesn't 1 want me around and as you say, may give the show away Il What did you say your new name was? Oh, I remember. Conaldine- Rose Conaldine. Suits you, in a 1 way. But where have I heard it before?"
 Lester, is it possible that all you want is the release of your money? Because, surely-surely you don't need to marry me before you can get it? Why, a month ago you talked as thought it was very doubtful whether Saxely would ap- prove of me. And now you pretend he wouldn't approve of anyone else"
 He wouldn't You don't know how respectable Socks is Accord ing to him, you're morally bound to marry girl if you take her out after dark. And you and I.