The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-05-21

volving doors, pushed them oper and joined her on tn esidewalk. AS she sJooL there something happened to her. She was alive af- ! ter long, slow death. Her eye: swan with tears. It was good tc be alive, even to suffer. She turn , ed to look at Jonathan Thayer, but he was staring ahead, waiting fol the traffic to stop before they should cross the street.
 He said nothing as they walked to the restaurant. She felt sht might burst into tears before this boy who showed so plainly that he had not wanted to see her; and never wanted to see her again. 1 Two walters gave every atten- tion Jon Thayer seemed to draw out in others a desire to serve him; or perhaps it was his careless man. ner of being used to money. Nora was keenly aware of this Her an tagonism made her more sensitive to each small gesture.
 Your cable came about a week ago." Jon said avoiding her eyes and speaking with hard compo- sure. Damon and my step-father asked me to tell you that you are to come to them as soon as they are free. Unfortunately, we have some cousins with us now and the house is crowded or I should take you home with me"
 "Oh no," Nora answered, "it isn't necessary. Perhaps I can tell you anything you want me to-and then I'll go-" She stopped. catch ing her lower lip between her teeth.
 Not here Not now!' he said as a waiter appeared.
 Have you ever been to this city before?" Jon asked. Not bad when you get used to it. Although I wouldn't live here except that I work in one of the beastly ware houses down by the river. My father owned it." he ended.
 She coul dnot talk about des- u,tory things; and when the waiter brought the chicken she found she could not eat. Her eyes filled with tears and she had to fight to keep them back. The terrible part was that she was not crying for Nicho- las, for anything, except, perhaps her own bitter disillusion.
 He met her eyes and his hand on the table clenched, but he talked on casually until she had Hontro of herself.
 "Youre not eating anything" he said.
 You're not doing very well your self"
 He took out a cigarette case and passed it over to her. She could see his fingers quite steady as he light ed a cigarette for her.
 She closed her eyes for a moment and Jon saw the sweep of dusky lashes on her cheeks, the weary grace of her slim long body. A wild eery little thing, with a haunting charm, perhaps, that he had been too hurt to see at first. He said, leaning toward her
 T don't like to take you to a hotel tonight. But I doEt know what else to do"
 q have an aunt who lives here, a Mrs. Durant. I haven't seen her since I was eight. But cabled to her too, so she knows" her voice broke, she steadied it, "and can go there"
 But I'll come tomorrow to take you home Damon wants to see you. Do you think that you could come then?"
 "Oh yes" she said. thinking that the quicker it was over, the better.
 The waiter brought them small cups of black coffee. The silence between them became charged with all they dared not say. Jon put down his cup; it rattled in the caucer and he said in a lloarse voice:
 God, how could he do it?"
 She saw his brilliant eyes search I ing her face as though he would tear her secret.
 "I should have known. But didn't knnuy If ha had o11v to1d