The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-10-22

"WheW!" P c a k WhlStled Il sounds as though MT. Aldersea has leaped haughtily upon his higt horse
 Hes very much on his higf horse. You have no idea. Will you do this for me, Peak?"
 Peak assured her that he would oe only too glad to help, and that he would telephone as soon as. he had any news. Forty-five inter minable minutes later the telephone bell rang.
 Peaks voice had a peculiar note Well, Sam" he said slowly, T managed to unearth the esteemed MT. Burke. He and I had heart to heart talk, and"
 And what?"
 Well, it's all rather amazing Are you prepared for Shock?'
 "Yes."
 Then button up your overcoat The tidings seemed to be that we have shamefully abused the widow Frye"
 Abused her?" Sam gasped. Are you trying to tell me, Peak, that Eugenie isn't in on this thing?'
 Exactly" Peak chuckled. Tt appears that she isn't even an inno- 1 cent bystander."
 How do you know?"
 T know by several things MT. Burke assured me"
 Naturally" Sam laughed dis dainfully. That's what he's being paid for-to assure you"
 "Please!" Peak was reproachful. I'm not quite an innocent child. you know I didn't accept MT Burke's unsupported word. To the contrary l took considerable trou ole to corroborate it. That's what nas taken so long"
 Go on," said Sam weakly. Tell the little girl more
 T will" said Peak crisply The fact is that Fourth has struck oil. He is being backed by the A A. Burke Manufacturing Company which is legitimate concern doing legitimate business. They have studied Fourth's circuit breaker and have come to the conclusion that it is practical. As a result, they have done three things. They have paid him very tidy sum for his patent right; they are giving him an eminently respectable salary to help them in the work of simplify ing the device; they have agreed to pay him small royalty when the product finally goes on the market"
 "Yes?" said Sam politely And are the larger rivers still running toward the sea?"
 Peak laughed. T don't blame you for feeling that way, Sam, but the whole business is true, just the same
 There was a prolonged silence and then Sam murmured: You must come out some Saturday for spin on our new yacht"
 Tt isn't quite that bad, but it's bad enough. Fourth has acquired himself a sizeable chunk of mon ey. Isn't it amazing?"
 Not at all Things like this happen to me every day. Call me up in the morning, will you please? My head may have stopped spin ming by that time
 Tt had better stop spinning be- fore then. Unless I'm very much mistaken, old dear. you owe your stepfather a very handsome apol- ogy!'
 Sam apologized to Fourth. She apologized in spite of the fact that the whole thing seemed incredi- ble. Fourth accepted her apology wholeheartedly. for he was in need Of someone to whom he could ex- press something of his very natur- al exultation.
 They were to live and entertain in a way that would make the world sit up and take notice he told her.
 And there's another thing this money will dol" he cried. Tt will give me a chance to laugh at those people who have been limiting that you are marrying Peak Abbott on account of his millions"
 "Oh," Sam said mildly. Have they been saying that?"
 I'm sorry. Joan" He was in- stantly repentant. From now on any fool will know that you don't have to marry Peak Abbott, or any other man. for his money. AS far as money is concerned, Joan, you're absolutely free!'
 Sam nodded slowly. T hadn't thought of that. I'm free" She looked up with a peculiar little smile. That's an amusing idea, isn't it?"
 The days went on, but the at mosphere of unreality persisted. In a cnrt of 1,,l1 uapd dar Go n, tratoba1