The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-11-04

| T lldDo Illot ChPAdlAio C0f suggested.
 Perhaps it was that, and per haps it was because he accepted me at my face value. 1 saw him almost every day. He was in. tereJed in me as a person. I didn't want to fall in love with him. fought against it. I knew we coulc never be happy together. I knew all about everything, and yet
 Peak actually laughed. And yet before you knew it, you were ir over your head"
 Yes" she agreed quietly, that was it. | was in over my head He asked me to marry him, and I said that I wouldn't. I was terribly sensible, and hard-boiled and practical about it all. I said that when I married it was going to be for money; that love had no part at all in my scheme of life"
 He didn't like that, I imagine. '
 He merely ignored it altogether He kept asking me to marry him until, finally, I didn't care any more I agreed to go to New York with him that very night. I was to meet him at the train. I packed my bag I was all ready to go, and then"
 T think I know the sequel" said Peak gently. You found Nelson's letter saying that he had eloped.'
 Yes, I found that letter, and it did something terrible to me. had a brain storm. You know what happened
 "Yes."
 She turned to him swiftly. Why don't you say what you're think ing?" she demanded fiercely. Why don't you admit that you hate me and be done with it?"
 T can't" He shook his head. "I can't for the simple reason that I don't hate you. We're equally guilty. You didn't tell me about Freddy Munson, and I didn't tell you that I've known all about him almost from the beginning. We're even"
 You've known. and you've been willing to be engaged to me just the same!" Sam said duly
 T thought perhaps you might learn to forget about Freddy Mum son and come to care for me I gambled on that. Silly, wasn't it!"
 T don't understand" she said.
 "You will later on when you get used to the idea" Peak told her. Tn the meantime, let's go on with the story. There's more to tell, isn't there?"
 There's a lot more to tell" said Sam vaguely.
 Then suppose you let me tell it." He nodded in the darkness. T think I have the fact sfairly well in hand"
 Mystified, she peered at him, try ing to see his face. How can you have the facts?"
 Maybe I'm just a good guesser. At any rate, let me have try
 Tn the beginning he said calmly, you were so stunned by the things that had happened that you were practically numb. On one thing, however, you were deter mined. You were going to stick firmly to the course you had map ped out for yourself. You were going to marry me, and you were going to have nothing more to do with Freddy.
 That brings us up to the time when Fourth came into money. Fourth's windfall was help. You didn't have to work any more and you didn't have to worry about bills. You were having a good time almost in spite of yourself, for the simple reason that you were not allowing yourself to think. Cor rect me, if I'm wrong
 Sam did not speak, so Peak nod ded and continued with his story.
 We now come to the Holcomb's summer house on windy moon- light night. Last night, to be exact. Something happened there which startled you from long dream that hadn't been altogether un- pleasant. You kissed me, and that trivial event brought you to your self. You began to realize where you had been drifting, and to won- der whether you were being alto- gether fair to yourself, to me, and to Freddy Munson. You decided that things were a mess and that something would have to be done about them?"
 Go on," said Sam, in wonder Go on, Peak. Tell me more"
 He shrugged. There isn't much more Freddy Munson's coming to town was just the lucky break you needed. It gave you your chance to straighten out things. You had lunch with him today and you cfraiChtapad fhinoS o,it That IS