The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-06-04
CHAPTER g.
THE MOST SUBTLE ENEMY

THE MOST SUBTLE ENEMY
 She made gfmace at herself in her mirror and then, casually. her attention was caught by the beauty of the room reflected be- hind her. For a moment she was absorbed in it, delighted, com pletely satisfied. Everything else was swept from her mind.
 That ash-grey furniture, with its touches of ebony, was perfect of it's kind. The peacock silk on the low bed gleamed, the lace fell creamily, the door of the huge wardrobe slipped suddenly ajar as though it invited her to see the frocks that Jenny had hung, each on it's scented hanger, upon the long, polished rail. With a gasp of pleasure, George rose, flung the cupboard door wide, and ran the clothes up and down the rail, sleeping her senses in the color and touch of them. Finally she chose tea-gown of her favorite april cot. In the dressing -chest she found the lingerie that matched it; and somewhere, she remembered, she had dull gold, brocaded shoes.
 While she bathed and powdered and scented herself, while she brushed her hair until it shone and tended her nails, she looked back at her life and smiled. Peo- pie said that she had showed cour- age and initiative and endurance in her job, but the truth was that these things came naturally to her and so she succeeded where others failed. No merit about that. But now she was fighting the most subtle enemy in the world-her love for Eddie-her own, deep desire to follow him even to the worlds end
 She would win. She was deter mined 10 win. She knew what was best for Eddie, she thought; and what would keep their love alive and what would starve it slowly to death.
 She gave final touch to her lips and swung out of the room; at the other end of the little hall the kitchen door stood open and she saw the remains of meal A homely brown teapot, loaf and a big currant cake stood on checkered table-cloth.
 Georgie glanced in as she passed by and drowned. That expensive servant, engaged by Jenny, ought to be in charge She had no business to go out at this time, with her work unfinished and a dinner to cook. Georgie's color was rising as she went into the sitting
 You've been every one of the seven ages of man." was Eddie's greeting. He leaned against the window and she noticed that he was gripping the curtain in an odd way, and that he was pale; but she was full of her griev- ance.
 Evidently that woman Jenny discovered isn't competentl" she exclaimed. The only sign of her in the kitchen is the relics of her dinner"
 Woman? Oh, that cook-per- son!" Eddie abandoned the cur tains and slowly seated himself. ''She was competent all right, but she got on my nerves. Too darn competent, like those nurses at the hospital-so bright and cheerful the whole time. I nearly scream ed"
 Well, I hope that whoever took her place"
 Jenny and I have been talk ing it. We thought it would save you money and she's good cook, Jenny is She teaches me a bit every day. Had some of my cake?"
 Your cake? That-that stuff in the kitchen?" Georgie's aston- ishment seemed to amuse him, for he laughed until his chair creaked in Sympathy. What is that old wicker thing doing in here?' she demanded, grimmacing at it. That's the kitchen chair.
 TSuits me. I've been slipping out of the new leather one.'
 A difficult pause Georgie's eyes