The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-04-01
CHAPTER 16. WHILE KITTY WATTS

You have to hang onto your self respect or you're nowhere, ? Dorcas said finally, concisely.
 Now, it's up to you to see. 1t through. But you don't have to plan anything tonight. Tomorrow will be time enough. Let's get to bed. I'll fix you on the couch here. "s
 She sprang up and vigorously fell to work transforming the couch into a bed, folding covers, spreading sheets and blankets.
 She tucked the covers about Kittys shoulders and the touch of her hand was warming and re- assuring. Like a weary child Kitty snuggled further down under the covers. The ernbers of the fire made figures of light across the darkened room Through the half open door of Dorcas' bedroom Kitty could see her moving back and forth. A blessed drowsiness enWrapped her.
 Tomorrow, they'd plan things out. Dorcas would help her. But tomorrow Gar would come for her, of course.
 It was closing time at Strat- tons department store, three weeks later. The lalst-minute shoppers had hurried out. The salesclerks were putting away the stock, work ing furiously against precious time.
 No. 12 in the sportswear de- partment was hanging tweed en- sembles in a case. Her unaccus- toned fingers made slow work of 1t and the other girls, folding up sweaters and blouses, watched her and smiled slyly to one another No 12 was new and it was game to leave new one the job of handling the suits and putting them away. It took longer.
 A bright -eyed blonde girl pass ing No. 12 hesitated. Gee, don't bother so much. Lees gone" She caught up an armful of the gar- ments and swung them on to the bar of the case. Rotten day, wasn't it"
 No 12 knew Josie Price was trying to be friendly. Her tired face flushed gratefully. She agreed that it had been a rotten day.
 Bet you're dead" Josie went on. My feet used to hurt as if they had boils on them. But you get used to it. I guess you get used to most anything un- less it's Lees tongue, after the ad bunch have taken her for ] ride. Anyway, you don't have to mind that, do you? Didn't sire take you into her officer"
 Miss Lee, the head of the de- partment had taken No. 12 into her office while she checked over new stock. But just then No. F was too blamed tired to wonder why Josie put the question, to read into it the jealousy with which each salesclerk observed any distinction paid to any one of them. No 12 had not been at Stratton's long enough to lift her eyes toward the glamorous pos.- tion of assistant buyer.
 Why yes. she did she an- swered tiredly
 "Oh, we'll, she's taken US all in, one time or another"
 They took their wraps from their lockers. Josie jamnled a tight little red hat down over her head, arranged crescents of blonde hair at each temple. ap- piled powder to her nose and a daub of scarlet to her lips. She drew her coat tightly about her thin hips, holding it there with crossed arms.
 Taking the street car homer" Her eyes were pointed with cuu- iosity.
 No. I walk home"
 s'Well, by by, Miss Brandon. See you tomorrow
 Good night, Miss Price"
 1fOh, make it Josie!" the friend | ly Josie called over her hunched shoulder.
 Stratton's No. 12 is Katherins Brandon.
 AS she walked ont into the