The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-05-02


 added, hastily. That's what your faher said, David, once. I don't think he'd felt that way for a long time. You made it like that for hisn."
 Well I'm glad" Mrs. Dundy had a launch wait ing for them. David built a fire on the heart and they ate before it. David told her amazing ex- periences he had had in New York, of plays he had seen. Kitty told him of some of their customers
 But while they talked Kitty had the feeling of distance between them-they'd both changed, she said to herself.
 Jan, at David's heels, was coax ing for a walk. When they had finished their luncheon they climb ed the hill. And reaching the top they sat down under the old trees.
 T used to sneak away from the others and come here every day. I called it my own Wasn't that presumptuous in me, when it's really yours?"
 "It's big hilltop" David an- swered. easily.
 David had no need now, for it's seclusion, Kitty thought.
 "Do you remember that first day we came here, David? How long ago it seems now. That girl that was then-almost-a strang- CT to me now"
 She looked soberly out across the valley not seeing it, but seeing that Kitty Frew of those days, when she had had to lean on Da- vid. What a foolish. bewildered uncertain, blind girl she'd been But even thinking that, she felt a wistful tugging at her heart; there was something lonescme ill going ahead-without David.
 You're happy now. David ask ed brusquely.
 "Yes, of course ! am! Ought I not to be with the Treasure Island Shop so safely established? I like the work. I like seeing Carol so sure of herself. I like the way your father depends on me. like Pound. You can't know how nice it is to have Pound waiting for me when I go home, to have him fuss over me. And David, he's so proud of you, as proud as your own father. He asked me if he might take Little Lady to his room. I gave him my autographed copy to keep. Da- vid, can you know how proud we all are of you?"
 He sat clasping his knees, his chin bent in his hands.
 q mean-' his tone was gruff. ''are you contented to go on like this-.he rest of your life? Is it going to give you-everything you want?'
 She answered quickly. "Oh, yes, of course" And then as though another voice had asked the ques- ton, she repeated: "Of course I am!"
 She could not see his face. It was turned from her. But she saw him give a little expressive lift of his shoulders.
 T had to know that. I'm going away, Kitty, abroad. Norword wants me to write a biography. It will necessitate digging up some gay old scandals from their re- spectable graves. Norwood says I have the touch he wants. I can't tell you much more about it now.
 How perfectly wonderful! Da- vid Frew, with such an assign ment! Do you remember when Dorcas used to send you home like bad boy who had not done his lesSons?" But there was . sharp pain under the lightness of her voice. David, when are you 'going?'
 He turned to her He did not touch her but his eyes betrayed his longing. "Oh, right away l guess. I told Norwood that I could go now, unless-Kitty I came back hoping that you'd tell me that you needed me But you don't need me now. You're walking very well on your own two feet, l see. ought to be glad. But you're SC young-if you were thir- lty or more could reconcile my self vo seeing you contented with business. But you" I'm not!' She cried it invol-