The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-06-11


 more slowly. As she lifted her head she saw a sky of smoky orange that shone down for a moment on the black trees.
 I'll, always have this,' Nora thought passionately; mo one can take this away from me'
 But as she walked on, the light died out of the sky and it closed in on her in dreary November bleakness. It seemed as though a long succession of dreary days had climbed the hills beside her and | she could see them stretching on ahead until at last she would be resigned.
 T can't bear it. I won't, I tell you!" she thought, looking up at the dull sky.
 Someone had come up beside her and, turning, she saw it was Fer gus. He put his hand on hers for a moment and she smiled up al him with quivering lips.
 How is it going?" he asked her Awful" she said.
 She was glad to see him. They were old friends now and they had strong bond in their mutual love for Fran.
 T had a letter from Frances to- day" he said, she hopes to be home for Christmas" i Do you think she wil'?" She looked up into his thin keen face as she asked him. His face too had changed, there were firmer lines about the mouth. but his eyes were still full of youthful eagerness.
 T don't know" he said thought fully.
 T can't bear it. Nora cried, "it makes life too sad"
 But life is sad, Nora"
 She was startled He seemed sud- denly so much older and wiser; and she knew it was because he loved Fran and saw no future for them.
 But I wouldn't give it up for anything" he told her, smiling sun denly, tits the struggle and the pain that makes the rest beautiful" "
 sBeautiful?" she whispered
 He looked into her passionate, rebellious face that seemed so young and soft under her hat brim. You're not happy, are you Nora?"
 "I'll never be happy
 What does it matter anyway? I used to think one had to be hap py to get anything out of life but now I know you can do very well without it. Work and struggle and hope are left" sg
 And lovel" she thought with pang. But she did not say it aloud
 Nora said, T loved John Thayer. I thought he loved me. He mar ried," she ended abruptly.
 Fergus knew her well enough not to offer her sympathy.
 He left her at the door Alice came tearing down the halls Take us to the park Nora, " Alice cried, Dickie piping after her.
 Nora bundled the children into the coats and went out, Dickie tug ging at her hand, Alice skipping beside her and the dog Petie Baker leaping about. In the park the trees were shim- mering under ice, the shrubs were hooded with snow and the paths crunched under their feet. The children went mad with delight, running, falling, screaming while Nora raced beside them. A tall thin man passed them and returned to pass again, his eyes on the chil- dren Alice raced on ahead and when Nora came up to her she heard Alice talking companlonably to him.
 I'm six. How old are you?" Alice asked him.
 Nora saw he was a dark fellow with plain likeable face. He glanced indifferently past Nora to Dickie, his eyes clinging hungrily to the child.
 ''Dickie," he urged, come here!"
 The little boy stood, staring, his dark eyes under their lashes lifted trustingly to the stranger. The man l lifted the child in his arms and Dickie began to chuckle in his friendly way. : Come children, it's time to go home" Nora said. ] The lamps were lighted and cast long yellow streaks over the snow. l He put Dickie down and watched