The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-08-18
Chapter 6 THE LURE OF A VEIL

Kirk liked best, the single strand of pearls!
 Mrs. Belaise contemplated herself in the mirror. She was "A. Face and throat were withered flowers, but with the fine blue eyes, the delicate profile, the small foot, she was still the spirited ghost of beau tiful Nelly Sartoris, belle of New Orleans when the 7o's were young.
 Faithful black Lorena had waived her mistress's thin white hair, had drawn the mascara pencil lightly along where the fine black eye fashes used to be, had roughed so dehcately the sunken cheeks.
 NO lipstick, Lorena," Mrs. Bel aise had remarked from the very beginning of lipstick. Hard That ts what it makes us look. And all beautifying is merely softening process"
 ? "Yes, ma-am" agreed Lorena' who really understood. Her mis- tress had not changed for Lorena in these 30 years of service. Lor- ena stood back now, contemplating the rubies on her lady's breast.
 Mrs. Belaise shook her head, fusnbled nervously with her gold vinaigrette. She was always de- llphtfully nervous on the evenings she played roulette. It was the nearest thing she had felt to youth in 40 years.
 .4Rubies look common she said, since they have learned to re- construct them Genuine pigeon blood these are-Take them OH. Try the diamonds. I never know what a new dress will like best.
 arena held the links of plau- n,lm-cupped light tentatively about her mistress's neck. You look Ike white angel, Mis- B'laisep
 Nelly Belaise thought of the first time she had worn them, of the sensation they had caused. Thirty- one years ago at the old French Opera House. Delphine, her daugh- for was a bride. She had grieved over Delpnine's leaving, and Ar thur Belaise had sought to comfort her with these. He had spent his inheritance on gems for her. Some times she had scolded him. But these are investments, Nelly he would say.
 Nelly Belaise had not needed to realize on them. Kirk, Delphine $ son. provided her with all she coula desire. Delphine had died when Kirk was born, and Kirks father had gone back north and married again when Kirk was year oia. Kirk had belonged to Nelly ever since Indeed he called her Moth ern when he didn't call her Nelly. Now Kirk's father was dead ana Kirk had come into the greater nart of the Standard fortune, solid New England fortune made III shoes
 Tonight Nellie Belaise took the diamonds from her neck. They never bring me luck, Lorena. NOT the pearls either I'll wear the sapphires again.
 Delphine had helped her father choose the sapph,res in Paris. Some how Nelly Belaise could not remem- Der Delphine as she looked after her marriage. Somehow she saw her only as she was that summer in Paris. or coming down the curv- ed stair wonder as bride.
 The sapphires were perfect. Lor- ena fastened the necklace. clasped the earrings in the pierced ears held out the tray of the silver Jewel casket that the small veined hands might choose their rings.
 Nelly Belaise rose at last in the full ivory satin gown that fell about her feet, the. slim ankle and small eemmed slipper glimpsed and veil cd again. Lorena sprayed perfume Oh the jeweled hands. Proudly Lorena watched her descend the stair
 Kirk Stanard met his grandmoth- CT in the hall. He was not un- like her. Brown hair graying at 30, the same fine blue eyes and Slightly aquiline profile. her smile They went into the drawing room his arm about her. Two men rose One was portly person With a frown carved between black brows a man of perhaps 50 Kirk Stanaro presented him.
 "Senor Basara. Mother. You re-