The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-06-02

away, I'm afraid. But as soon a! they come back you are to come tt us." He was surprised when h. turned to her to see her eyes wer- dazzling.
 Jon drove along the river road Nora knew where they were going now. They drove down a winding lane to the old Thayer house sun. ming itself on it's lawns.
 Leaving the car in the driveway they walked toward the river anc sat down at last with the river washing against peDoiy shore.
 She leaned back against tret trunk, her dark head bare. Hel eyes were on the river and some- thing of her expectancy and youth touched Jon.
 Its a long time since I've seen you" he said.
 Tt has been long Twelve daysl' Nora flashed, then to hide her con- fusion she began to tell him breath lessly about Aunt Elm and Fran and Hallie, the struggles and small triumphs of every day.
 Tt must be very dull for you. '
 No, it's exciting in way. Each one is so ambitious, Hallie is writ ing and Fergus More hopes to spe- cialize some day and am working for the first time in my life.'
 That's what I do and I don't find any excitement in it. I'd like to get away. The places I'd like to see, the things I'd like to do' What places, Jon?"
 I'd like to climb the Andes with a pack mule I want danger and fighting, and to come upon an old lost city"
 As he talked on strangely ex- cited, she fould herself sharing the bitter trek with him. She was be- side him as they came to the gates of the lost city
 But what was it Jon was search ing for?
 She asked him, Why do you go seeking strange places when in the end you never find anything but yourself?"
 You're a funny child. Nora That's what Damon said about .you.D
 "Damonl' Nora cried, "she doesn't like me. I saw that at toncel"
 She rose suddenly to face him. Their eyes met.
 You don't understand her. She is hard to know"
 Perhaps Damon doesn't under stand mel"
 The air between them quivered with unspoken things. Jon was cool and arrogant; Nora was sud- denly passionately angry. She knew that Jon thought she was jealous of Damon She was not jealous of Damon, she told herself fiercely, unless she were jealous of her world that was careless and brave, aware of prerogative. An d there still smouldered the memory that Jon had told Damon those things she had confided to him alone.
 The magic of the afternoon was gone. They drove silently along dreary river road and reached the old city. Jon's face was pale and proud; Nora sat with clenched hands. She did not want him to come to dinner. But Jon went stubbornly up the steps beside her. She could not bear it. Jon would see the confusion of Saturday night supper; he would criticise her people. s
 : Alice came to meet them at the door. Nora began to talk nonsense breathlessly before Aunt Elm came in, her best gray crepe de chine donner, Nora knew, for the occa- sion. The shabby old back parlor had on it's summer dress of cheap flowery chintz and looked cool and pleasant.
 Aunt Elm led the way to the base ment dining room. Something be- gan to soothe Morals feelings. Per- haps it was because they had worked so hard to please her. The best white damask cloth was on the table and Fran had filled a blue bowl with buttercups and the can- dlesticks from the back parlor man tel gave a mellow glow that trans- formed the mean small room.
 Fran came in from the kitchen with a plate of hot biscuits, her cheeks flushed, looking like dark rose. And as she took Jon's hand something of her spirit seemed to enter the room, to force Nora to glance at Jon and see his eyes on hers begging her for forgiveness. They were all so simple and gra- cious, making this Saturday night dinner by their very ease and pleas ure in Jon's company, something of an occasion. The dinner itself was delicious.
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