The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-12-20
P PARADISE
DA TYSON

silly pride is the real obstacle
 Give addressed Dak.
 We've discovered two explana- tions for my conduct. silly pride and that I'm old-fashioned. Your motives are still hidden It isn't usual for an ex-husband to harbor such protective sentiments for his successor"
 Tt is not" Oak adjusted his tie By the rules of the game we ought to hate each other. We don't" | He waited to be confirmed. T like you, Give; you've given me reason to like you. When you allowed your wife to check me up this summer, I can imagine how 1 much your magnanimity cost. It's my turn to be magnanimous-tit for tat"
 l He crossed the room to the chair in which Santa was sitting, with Give still perched on the arm beside her
 Don't be self-righteous. I failed Santa If I help her in her effort to help you, repay a little of my debt"
 rC1ive sees things differently now" Santa seized hand of eith- CT. I'm sure I don't know how deserved-"
 Go on,' Oak urged.
 "Clive might not like it."
 T shan't mind" Give encour- aged.
 She laughed emotionally.
 How I deserved too such good men"
 The door had closed behind Dak. In the hall Santa sighed against Give
 I'm so glad that's settled!"
 50 am I, Santa
 You said that queerly, dearest. He raised her face and kissed her solemnly Little woman!" Just what do you mean Clive?"
 That after this evening more than ever, I can't accept" She stared at him without an- ger.
 "Why?"
 A thousand reasons rushed into his mind, which concentrated in | one reason. ''The way he looked at you. He knows as much about you as l do"
 She retreated! When some min- utes later he went to join her, the door was locked He tapped No answer. That night with coats and cushions he contrived for him. self a make-shift bed on the couch
 Unrefreshed, he rose early and left the apartment without seeing lher. There was only one way now in which he could win her respect
 A few minutes after MT. Cleasby had entered his office, Give was shown in MT Cleasby glanced up, frowning over his spectacles.
 Whats the matter, my boy? You look as though you'd spent the might on park bench?"
 Its that job, sir. I can't take lit. You said something about let ting you know if I didn't"
 What I said was if you didn't We might come to an arrange ment. How much do you consider Iyou're worth!"
 They sat and chatted till the mail was brought in. MT. Cleasby cut short the interview.
 When do you want to slart?"
 To-day, sir, if it suits you" Back at his old desk, in tht atmosphere of routine, fears b, which he had been menaced re. treated. His hand itched to tele- , phone Santa; he fought off tht temptation. AS he was approaching tn. apartment house, whom should h, see but Dak, going in the same di . rection. Now that he was quit o l his predecessor philanthropies, h. l bore him no animosity He coul' see even the comic side of the en l counter. Hello, you Samaratin!" H clapped him on the shoulder. } Oak started.
 Look here, old man. I thinl you're making great mistake" ' Well have your breath. To can say it all before Santa This time she was in the hal . waiting. Seeing her husband an ex-husband entering together sh
 jumped to conclusions. r You've accepted!" Taking her two hands, Cliv
 raised them to his lips. T have" t Darling" She clung to hin s.T'xa I,aap l,1rr;r +1 ,,n,,. l>,,t 1