The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-05-25

l cleaning surface.
 Nora sat munching toast and drinking warmed-over coffee at the kitchen table She could barely wait until the time Jon would come for her. She was eager to leave the little red brick house. Her own people could not give her security. They themselves were insecure any day they might leave this dreary street and go to live some were else. She did not see that their interests were interlocked nor that their love was a stronghold against the world. She heard the noon whistles blow and down the steps from the back yard two children came run ming, Alice came straight up to the kitchen table and observed Nora minutely.
 q like you she pronounced after this scrutiny.
 She was an exquisite creature. She seemed to rise out of her white dress like a flower She had beau tifully spaced gray eyes beneath fine black eyebrows. Her skin was fresh and delicate. Her fair hair shone about her face like the petals of daffodil.
 Four -year-old DicKae did not no- tice the newcomer. He was chasing small brown dog around the kitchen. At last Dickie captured him and began to hug him lov- ingly while the dog bore it with an infinite wheezing patience.
 "He loves Petie Baker Alice said placidly. watching the dog roll out of Dickie's arms.
 Hallie came hobbling down to get the childrens lunch and Nora mo- ticed how skillfully she managed to get about on her crippled feet.
 When the children had left for school it was time to think about the afternoon. Nora, looking over her clothes, was struck with despair. The blue skirt was shrunken from the salt air, the beret had an old look and the scarlet blouse was a mass of wrinkles.
 She dressed very carefully and went to find Hallie. Hallie looked up from her sewing.
 o+ Il cried in despair
 Hallic hesitated and said nothing.
 T can't go, that's all. Oh, Hallie, what shall do?"
 Hallie began to jerk open draw CTS.
 T have pair of gloves-someone gave them to me and haven't worn them yet-here they are. And I think Fran has new pair of silk stockings. Will this blouse fit you? Give me your skirt. I'll press it."
 Nora began to dress again in Fran's white blouse with it's round childish collar, to draw on Trans silk stockings, and try on the gloves Hallie came back with the skirt just as the bell rung.
 "Oh Hallie, I'm not readyw
 She watched Hallie hobble from the room again, heard her cautious descent of the stairs. She was cold With nervousness; she could picture Jon and Hallie in the back parlor, Jon restless and impatient and Hallie observing him with her sar- donic eyes.
 When she was dressed she de- cided she had never looked worse. But she would show Jon Thayer that she thought nothing of his opinion. She might be poor, but she must never forget she was Julian Lakes daughter. But her heart beat thickly as she went toward the back parlor.
 Jon was standing with an open book in his hands as Nora came in. He put it down and took her chilly fingers in his for a moment.
 Are you feeling rested?" he asked indifferently.
 He stood out against the back ground of the shabby room, young and arrogant. His deep-set eyes, neither green nor gray, rested on her. She saw his strong nose and insclent lips, and she wondered what his arrogance might conceal.
 Nora turned to say good-by to Hallie as she went down the steps beside Jon to his car. He seemed anxious to hurry her away not be- cause he wanted to learn about Nicholas but in order to get the or deal over.
 He slid in the clutch of the low foreign car and drove down the street recklessly. There was a quality of daring in his driving that appealed to Nora.
 Driving too fast for you?' Jon asked.
 You couldn't drive too fast for me-"
 Jon turned to glance at her and 1aok ad n,Iicklv awav He said nOth-