The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-03-02

problem that baffled them. Ill, she perhaps was, but mental distress rather than physical seemed likely.
 There was no explanation of her call. Bill rose at once and went into the house. Apparently he remained in his surgery, for he had not reappeared when Jimmie and Nancy left.
 The next morning Jimmie and Audrey arrived on the golf course at the same moment. It was quite early 6:30, for they had arranged to play nine holes before breakfast with the Wades and finish after wards so as not to interfere with an appointment Jimmie had with Richmond
 The conversation was pleasant and the game interesting, but it was plain to Jimmie that Audrey s mind was not really on her game. at the sixth tee she admitted it.
 MT Haswell" she said, do you know what the people in the vil- lage are saying about Bill Nether- ton?"
 Do you mean in connection with Miss Querdling's death?"
 "Yes. They say he killed her"
 You heard what the coroner said" Jimmie began after they had sat down on bench near the tee. Its not surprising the villagers should jump at conclusions"
 But it is wrong. It is wicked. They have no right to say or think such things. Bill has done bis best for them. He is a far better man than they deserve. Yet they are ready to believe all the beastli- ness that that man hinted at. And it means that Bill will be ruined and his practice wrecked"
 As she spoke she jabbed savage ly at the ground with her club.
 Not when the truth is discoy- cred, if he is innocent" Jimmie reminded her.
 That is why I wanted to talk with you, MT. Haswell" She turned her honest, pleading eyes to him. Cant you clear this up for us?''
 T should like to but do not get much help" He was smiling kindly as he spoke. When Bill Netherton | is called to case he asks his patient where the pain is, and a score of other things as to symp- toms and general condition. If the patient refuses to tell him, how can a correct diagnosis be made? So, if our friends will not tell us all they know in the affair, how arc we to help them?"
 What exactly do you want to know?" asked the girl.
 "The first thing is, does Neither ton care for Marjorie Blake; does Marjorie care for him?'
 They answered that. They both said No.s
 T am aware they did. Yet nei- ther of them explained their ire quent meetings, the impression they gave to Aunt Annabelle, and their long conversation after they left her. They had been sweethearts it is said What more natura. than that they should be sweet hearts again, when they meet SC often?"
 He knew he was quoting Super intendent Richmond but he want. ed the answer that he thought this girl might be able to give. 1 For some moments Audrey Wal silent. She seemed to be weigh. ing things and coming to de. cision. What could be on her mind Certainly Jimmie sensed it's i'm portance and understood now wh, Audrey had asked him to play.
 Her hesitancy now convinced him even more strongly that wha she had to tell him would not bv easy to impart. Finally she spoke
 T have called you in," she said smiling bravely, "and I will no keep back any of the symptom that know of. I will tell you wha 1 no one else has been told. It i impossible for Bill to care for Mar jorie in the way you think-be cause he is engaged to me" Copyright, 1880, J. B. Lippincot Company