The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-09-10
CHAPTER 37. so MANY MILES

CHAPTER 37. so MANY MILES Flora Lomax leaned back in {. chair and yawned as she looked across at her sister.
 Well" she said, q neye, thought you had it in you, Son dra."
 Had what in me?" Sondra ask ed. She was touching her cheek. with little rouge and lightly col bring her lips, they were SO pale.
 Sacrifice all for love-or what. ever sentiment you call it." Flora said mockingly. They were in Flora's big house again, and it was October.
 For the last two months Sondra had been away with Mark dowr at the sea, and a moment ago ne had come into the room, demand ing in his old eager way if ev- erything was packed, and warnine Sondra not to be late.
 In an hours time they were tc begin their journey to Italy.
 T suppose it's hardly a sacrific, if one is happy oneself, is it?' Sondra said. intent on her occu- patton.
 "But-are you happy?" Flora asked doubtfully. She was the old Flora again, q little harder in expression, beau tifully dressed, casual Ben seemed to have altered more than any of them, Sondra had been thinking only moment agc or was she the one who had changed most of all? Ben was so softened and gentle that sometimes even Flora admit ted that she hardly knew him He followed his wife round like a faithful unwanted dog, hanging on her every word, ready to grat- fly every wish. T taught him his lesson all right" Flora told her sister lr triumph.
 Sondra pitied Flora-sometime she wondered if Jocelyn Farr realized for how much he was re- sponsible-if after all it would have been so terribly dishonorable of him to have taken her sister away
 Funny that they should both be in the same boat, both loving men who would have none of them.
 And yet-I'm not really un- happy" Sondra often told her. self. At least-only when see John and then. .. well then it was as if someone turned knife in her heart and forbade her 10 cry out.
 Mark had never spoken to he. agoin about Anderson's love for her, though once he had said 10 her that he didn't think it was really possible to love anyone un- less you completely trusted them.
 "As I trust you, Sondra-" he had added.
 Mailing my colors to the mast, " Sondra thought.
 She was proud that Mark was so much better; the doctor had told her that he would always have to take great care, but-he had added, smiling at Sondra, ' know you will see that he does. "
 And today they were going to Italy.
 Since their return from the sea they had stayed in Flora's house. Back in the old rlt," as Flora had called it.
 Its rather a good rut," Sondra had protested.
 Outside in the street Marks lug gage and her own were being piled onto Flora's car and the sun was shining, and presently John Anderson would meet them al the pier to see them off, and wish them God speed
 T can't bear it." Sondra had thought wildly, but the next mo- ment she had turned and was smiling at Flora.
 T don't know why you should doubt if I am happy" she said with little grimace. T was never the sort of person to do things if I didn't want to-"
 ''No you never were" Flora agreed meaningly.
 She rose languidly and crossed the room to her sister.
 Kiss me-" she said. Its ages since we kissed each other"
 The color rushed to Sondra's cheeks and her eyes filled with