The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-11-29
DAWSON.

ward. Being a bachelor, you don't know wives. They treasure an ideal. You're hers. All the noble quail ties she denies to me, she attri- butes to you. Without the least intention, you've made unfair con- petition for me-"
 This sounds nonsense"
 T agree" Dicky laughed. But it isn't. You're the white-haired boy. If you were to tell Santa that she ought to take me back, she would pay attention"
 Give blew a ring of smoke.
 "Supposing I don't think she ought to take you back? From all I've heard you've been beast to her"
 "As man of the world, in marital quarrel you surely don't believe that all the justice is on one side? You yourself were once in love with her and didn't have such an easy time You'd be standing in my shoes tonight if I hadn't cut you out. Instead of divorcing me, she'd be divorcing you"
 Profoundly interesting Give said.
 Stimulated by this encourage ment, Dicky continued.
 Since she's been my wife, I've done nothing more offensive that she'd seen me do during our en- gagement."
 "Nothing?" Give switched on a nearby lamp.
 Dicky became uncomfortable, and hesitated. She's certainly seen me hilari- ous. She may have fooled herself that she was the cause. Anyway was always a top-speed artist and a great one for parties. While l was her fiance, that suited Santa down to the ground. We saw the town with one foot on the gas. Not till we were married did she apply the brakes. We skidded Went on skidding. At last we've crashed"
 ''She applied the brakes when she discovered that she was mar ried to a gentleman bum" Give spoke insolent1y and waited fol the explosion.
 You've snatched the words from my mouth" Dicky surprised him T was on the road to the devil Unfortunately this was the frs time I'd been asked to hustle anc my solitary business went up tht flue while we were on our honey. moon. That threw me on he, resources. So, if you come righ down to it, the trouble between IL is money. Other things aren't tn, cause. They're the aggravation.
 Give swung his leg over the arn of his chair.
 What do you propose to do?"
 What I've done is more i'm portant. I haven't had a drinl since she left me. I've gone t. work-accepted the first job tha offered. I'm an automobile sales man"
 But I meant as concerns San tta?"
 "I've lain down. I'm not contest ing the suit"
 | T know only the barest details Give betrayed irritation. q be lieve you went on a trip to St Paul and returned to find you home stripped and your wife van ished. You can't have sat dow under such treatment. No ma would. You must have done some thing"
 T certainly did" Dicky assum ed a purposeful Expression. q los mo time in tracing her. I've court ee her with more ardor during tn past six months than evef I di before we were engaged. I've ser her flowers, the odd theatre-tick et-paid her all those little al tensions which mean so much 1 a woman's vanity"
 And with no result?" Cli, pulled long face. T wouldn't say that" Dick adjusted his tie nervously. "In , week our case comes up. I thin I've noticed signs of softening.
 you were to put in a god wor I'm certain there would be no d [ vorce."
 Quite problem" Give sta; , ed at the ceiling. And you wal
 me to urge her to take a chan,
 against which her previous knoy
 ledge of you warns her. How (
 earth did you get the idea that :. would think better of you than sl : .does?"
 : Because I'm desperate" Dicky t voice shook with agitation. 1T I not entirely selfish. I'm thinkil iOf her. She's young. She's 10