The Daily Alaska empire., 1931-10-20


 a lot of money, too"
 Peak whistled. DO you really mean it? Whats his widow like?"
 Sam smiled "Oh, she's-she's-
 T see. You mean you're afraid that Fourth might marry iier?'
 Marry her?" Sams eyes opened wide in astonishment. T never thought of that That would be awful. But no, Fourth wouldn't marry her, ever. I know him to- well to think that"
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 Then what's every h ng all about?' Peak was frankly puzzled. What are you worried about?"
 His invention" Sam explained patiently. Don't you see, Peak, I'm afraid he might get money from her for his invention. He was tell ing her about it the other night, and I'm sure that was in his head. He hopes she'll back him finan- cially, and she might be just fool enough to do it.
 q see" Peak considered the idea for a time, but then he smiled and shook his head T don't think there's any need for anxiety. These rich widows are usually wise birds and since you say the invention is no good"
 T didn't say that-that's just the trouble. If the thing wasn't any good at all it would be an- ether matter. It is all right, Peak, everybody admits that. They just say it isn't practical for commercial use. Fourth might convince his widow that the experts are wrong
 Again Peak pondered. If I were you I'd just sit tight and wait. II events make it necessary for you to take steps, you can take them.
 You bet can take them!" Sam was grim. The widow Frye means nothing to me but I'm not going to stand by and watch her spend her good money for nothing"
 Sam knew that Peaks advice was sensible. At the same time wait ing was nervous business. Fourth's excitement increased daily. He was continually rushing in and out of the house on mysterious errands He made innumerable calculations on the backs of old envelopes.
 The crisis came quite unexpect- edly. Sam came home from the city late one afternoon to find her stap-father had arrived before her. He was playing lusty march upon the mouth organ, and Sam needed no more than a glance to know that he was on the crest of one of his more precipitous emotional waves.
 She took off her hat, and rub bed her forehead. You look dis gustingly cheerful. Whats the cause for celebration?"
 "Celebration?" He took the mouth organ from his lips and winked at her. Then he glanced mysterious ly about the room and hummed the concluding bars of the tune he had been playing. Who said anything about celebration, Joan?"
 q did" She regarded him se- verely. There's no use in trying to be coy, Fourth You look exact ly as though you'd swallowed the canary. Whats up?'
 My dear child!" He smiled with intense satisfaction. I'm not aware that anything is up, and you should know by this time that I make it a rule never to swallow canaries. My mother used to say to me: Never swallow canary, my son, and you'll grow up to be credit to the nation" All right, have it your own way"
 Sam knew there was nothing to be done with him in that mood If he had something to divulge he ] would divulge it at his own sweet pleasure. She turned toward the stairs, but Fourth stopped her. T deem it a great honor" he said sweetly, ito be able to inform you at this time that my son ano his estimable spouse have flowr the coop. In more vulgar terms might say they have skipped tht well known gutter
 Sam was motionless for an in stant. Then she turned slowly, bright spot of color in either cheek Are you trying to tell me" sh' inquired evenly, that Nelson ant Martha have gone away?"
 Fourth grinned Precisely, m, dear child"
 Sam walked over to where h. stood and looked up at him. "Hav' they gone for good?"
 He continued to grin. Flo good are exactly the words I shoul' use to express the idea. I can as sure you that their departure i more or less a permanent move" f Sam gulped, hardly able to be
 lieve her ears. Did you have any thing to do with their going?" | .lr 1tr l>N A1