The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-09-20

| in one hand, a tin hat-box in the other, Q camera, slung from his shoulder, and an extremely an cient rucksack bound like a lump upon his back. He burst from the stream, cast the hat-box clank- ing upon the pavement, bumped down the Gladstone bag, and caught Jervis by one hand and the wrist of the other-the second hand being occupied with the suit case. He pumped both arms up and clown with enthusiasm.
 Well if this isn't the best thing that ever happened"
 Nan looked on breathlessly, and saw Je,-vis break into a smile. Francis" he cried.
 The little man puffed harder.
 "Rather Ths is the best thing I've struck since-well, there isn't any since about it. I'd rathe- have run up against you than have gotten an invitation to tea with Mussoliai with carte blanche to print every word he said and pho- tograph him while he said it. and I can't say more than that So far he's eluded me. I've in- terviewed President Hoover, and Ramsay Macdonald, and Clemen- ceau, and Trotzky, and the unfor- tunate late Czar, and Gene Tun- ney. and Dean Inge, and Don Bradman, and Al Capone, but SC far Mussolini has alluded me"
 Jervis continued to smile.
 You'll collect crowd, EFF" f What else do I live for?" said MT. Francis. He turned, holding Jervis by the arm. i've got to apologize for breaking in" His bright brown eyes darted ques- tion at Nan, his manner inti- mated plainly that he awaited an introduction.
 Let me introduce MT. Ferdinand Francis said Jervis.
 The next moment Mans hand was being shaken by one that felt very thin and very strong, and M-. Francis high pitched voice was saying, earnestly.
 I'm very glad to meet you but he hasn't told me whom I'm very glad to meet"
 Before Jervis could speak Nan said,
 Mrs. Weare."
 The darting brown eyes went from her to Jervis and back again to her flushed face. MT Francis still had his left hand on Jervis' sleeve, with his right he con tinued to shake Mans hand.
 If that isn't great!" he said. Mrs. Weare, I must say all over again how pleased I am. Where can we go and talk?"
 live got an appointment with my lawyer" said Jervis. But af- ter"
 You'll both dine with me. If you're engaged just telephone them and say you're dead. Whats the good of a beneficient invention Ike 7 the telephone if it can't get you out of an engagement? We'll dine at the. Luxe in the gladdest rags. I've dinner jacket in my trunk-Ive tails somewhere-I1l go the wholeway and buy a white tie. We've just got to celebrate" t" He beamed brightly upon Nan. If you knew what a lot I've heard about Rosamund and how badly I've wanted to meet you"
 MT. Francis stopped there, be- cause h;s left hand felt the sud- cen jerk with which Jervis drew back, while to his right was com- munica ed a tremor Mans hand orivered for a moment in his and then stiffened.
 MT. Francis released it, stepped back a pace, darted searching look from a pale girl to horri- fled young man and exclaimed
 T say, have I dropped a brick?"
 I'm not Rosamund," Nan said quite simply. My names Nan. Please don't mind-it wasn't your fault a bit"
 MT. Francis recovered himself. It took good deal to disconcert him, and he possessed recupera- tive powers of the first order. He congratulated them in man. ner quite untinged with self-con- sciousness and added to Nan:
 He went tell you how he bat tied twenty brigands in Anatolia, or the story of the one-eyed con- missar-but I will some day. I've no false modesty-it doesn't pay in my profession"
 Nan smiled at him.
 What is it?" she said. "You1 profession, I mean"
 "A Rolling Stone" said Ferdi- hand Francis with Flourish. He picked up his tin fatbox and his Gladstone bag.
 Lord, FF.," said Jervis. Where