The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-01-14

 cious now that she had made up her mind not to be shy about it. There was pause.
 T don't know" It was as though he was thinking out loud. He smiled His eyes were apologetic yet twinkling. She felt puzzled.
 Why don't you know?"
 AS far as I'm concerned" he grinned, you're a dangerous wo- man."
 Now diffidence swept her. She was conscious that her cheeks were crimSoning.
 What do you mean?" she man aged.
 Some day I'll explain" he prom ised gravely.
 Are you with me, Venice, or are you not?" demanded Jim Sev- ern at her elbow.
 I'm with you, Jim. Good night, Drake I'll see you at the Charity Ball. This last was sarcasm spur red by a new hurt and disappoint- ment.
 Venice sat III sIlence in the taxi homeward mound. Jim put an arm about her and pulled her against his side.
 Don't, Jim" She struggled to sit erect.
 There followed a most undigni- fled scuffle. Jim Severn was the victor and Venice felt a flaming anger at the feel of his kisses on her mouth, meaningless, and ur- gent. Finally freeing herself from his arms she slapped him acrose the cheek.
 Thanks for the wrestling match she snapped.
 The taxi had stopped before her apartment and she jumped out without another word. She hurried across the great hall and into the elevator Damn, she thought, un- locking her front door, that's so- called popularity! She sat down at her desk and wrote the School of Journalism at Columbia to send her booklet about extension courses.
 I'll show Drake Farrelly. she re- flected bitterly.
 Venice registered at Columbia that week and paid in advance for two courses, their new semesters to start in February. One was short story writing, the other English literature.
 Aunt Laura wrote from Boston asking her to spend Christmas, but Venice, vaguely afraid that she might miss some sign from Drake Fhrrelly,r refused both. She ex- cused herself on the plea that she was dining that day at the Spal- dings'-as a matter of fact, Molly and Ernest were curtailing their wedding trip to be home especially for Christmas dinner-but in her heart she knew it was the hope of hearing from Drake that was re- sponsible for her refusals.
 What is the matter with me, she thought? How can I be so stupid? No one should want to see a man so consistently who doesn't care whether he sees one or not. But her mind played about his nice clear hazel eyes and crisp hair and the way he laughed some times. Christmas gave her many little indications of newly achieved pop- ularity. Christmas day dawned crisp and golden. Orchids arrived from Donny Reese and assorted spring flowers from Jim Severn. It was the first Christmas that Venice had ever received offerings from young men.
 Venice opened several Christmas cards. One was from Alice Schuy- Ter, decorous and formal, engraved by Cartier; a bizarre and moren- istic triangle from Ann Duryea How did she know my address, re- l flected Venice7 ! never even thought of sending her one. Per haps she realizes that I've stolen her particular brand of thunder The card is salute of recognition l for fellow strategist. This uckled Venice's sense of humor. Sht xinped broadly. The last was 8 simple black and white of eccentric ! lettering and jagged New York sk, line. Drake" was written in 2 large individual hand in one cor ner.
 II Lovely, thought Venice witt some bitterness. Courteous ant \ nou-cnmmittal ahe stared hard a' the uneven line of skyscraper and striking letters. He had mad it himself. It was adroit. | She walked across the Park t the Gpaldings! Everything wa lso simple and close to the heart a' 1 the Spaldings'. The table wa lWex4y with red candles and poin' settia. Tn the evening they play led hearts.
 Il Molly was stiIl the eager, cliff