The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-12-01

| OpIuillStlc pictures or herself IT
 Paris surrounded by dapper young
 French, English, and American
 men. The mere fact that she was
 from far away would lend hel something perhaps of that veil oi
 mystery that was Ann Duryea's New hope asSailed her.
 The next few weeks were accom- panied by all the hurry, hustle and latent excitement attendant on a European adventure.
 Molly was bitterly disappointed at Venice's going but her pleased excitement in Venice's prospects exceeded the grief.
 Just think" she cried, you'll have counts and all sorts of things"
 Of course I won't. And besides my French is very bad. How's your doctor, Nolly?"
 Most awfully nice He's getting to be really a friend of mine. think it was your velvet dress that did it. He's coming to see me to- morrow night. That's the second time since mother and father and dined with him."
 Hes a bona fide beau, Molly"
 Yes There was something in Nolly's eyes that gave Venice a quick stab of envy. It was a soft, deep look like the look Lolas eyes had held when she stared at Jerry.
 Do you love him?" Venice asked with sudden crudity from out her hurt.
 IT think so. But, Venice, you mustn't say anything ever to any one about it. I don't know how he feels about me. But-oh, I'm mad about him. l lie awake at night remembering his strong thin hands and the way his hair grows around his forehead and-and all sorts of silly little things. But no one would ever want to marry me with Pongo"
 Her face suddenly worked. It was terrible because she tried so valiantly to control it. She caught her lower lip between her teeth. Her expression went all twisted and broke up with the yelling of tears. She covered her eyes with her hands and began to cry mis- erably.
 Venice put her arms around her.
 Don't Molly, darling, please. Pongo isn't much compared to all the res. of you that's so sweet"
 Nollys tears stopped as unex- as they had started. She looked up hastily with a watery smile.
 I'm silly she said. You don't have to marry any way to be happy"
 'No,' agreed Venice. But she wondered. Here was a new fear that had never come to her before.
 As is invariably the way when one looks forward to a certain date time drags interminably and it seems elusively distant. Then sud- denly it pops into view, its propor- tions magnified. So the morning Of the Muir's date for sailing arrived.
 can't believe it's here, reflected Venice and snapped the lock of her trunk. She looked across the room and wondered if the little Japanese figures on lacquered bed and table and desk would miss her. What lives-always crossing bridges. But wasn't that all life | was anyway? Crossing bridges.
 The telephone startled her.
 Hello"
 Hello, Veice. It's Drake"
 Oh" She could feel the color up her face. TT" What | should she say.
 Did you think I'd shuffled off | these mortal coils forever?"
 Just about" She laughed. She knew that quick easing of her shy ness that he had lent her before. What a business trip! Did you go to Hongkong, by chance?"
 No. I've been back a couple of | months but my father had double Now all is well. May see you tonight"
 Oh Drake. we're fated to never meet face to face. Mother and | are sailing for Europe tonight
 No" How inconsiderate. But we're not fated. What time do you scramble up the gang plank?"
 His evident interest went to her head like sudden wine. Words tum- bled off her tongue.
 Kind sir, I never scramble I | walk with dignity and grace"
 She heard his gay, infectious laugh.
 Excellent. It gives me a picture of svelte smooth walking. what | time do you giidg aboard?"
 Midnight
 Let me come at eight thirty then and defy the Fates. AS they say in our corrupt eountry-oke?"
 "Oke," laughed Venice.
 Mrs. Muir was very much an- noyed at this engagement.