The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-08-17

alSo-She had unconSc1OuSly grown to rely on him; he had always been there, her willing cavalier she would miss him terribly if the old happy friendship was indeed at an end. And he had been in too much of hurry to ring her .up-her cheeks burned as she re- called the words.
 The order of things was indeed reversed-tt had always been, she who ad put him aside for other inclinations, but now. 3if
 Of course he was lunching with Nathalie Symons; Sonda felt hurt and humiliated, s,-.
 She would have liked to lunch with him-she had missed him terribly during the past month but 1t was only now that he was home again and not seeking her company that she realized how much she had missed him.
 Had Beatrice been right when Slle Sdlu tlldb OOllli ild0 INV bS lieved them that day? Beatrice was elways full of stupid ideas.
 Sonora was quite sure that John had not suspected anything; why should he? and yet. it was from that moment that the easy feeling of friendship between them seemed to have altered.
 But she could make no more overtures to him-she would have to stand aside now, and let him take the initiative.
 She went home restlessly; he- meeting with Anderson had quite put Flora and last nights scene from her thoughts until the butler asked her to go to MT. Lomax at once in the study.
 It was so seldom that Ben ever noticed his sister -in-law that Son. dra felt a sudden touch of anxiety as she went to his study door; surely Flora had not carried out her foolish threatl
 Ben was sitting in his chair at the elaborate desk. Staring at his wife's portrait; and he did not move when Sondra entered.
 She went quickly to him
 Ben. .. is anything the mat ter?"
 He turned his eyes to her face, curiolisly blank eyes they were, as if some shock had wiped out their intelligence.
 Sond,a laid a hand on his arm, shaking him.
 Ben. .. what is it? what has happered?"
 His face worked convulsively; he made an effort to speak. Shes gone. left me. I didn't SUD- pose she meant it--no woman could be so cruel. she said she hated mellow could she hate me. I've never been anything but good to her. Gone without word. all Ter jewelry left behind-never coming back. .. Oh, my God, what is to become of me?"
 Sondra stood helplessly silent her hand on his shoulder.
 She had never liked this man but it was impossible not to feel sorry for him; after all he had loved Flora-love was SO cruel, as Flora had said last night-It's not happiness. it's just suffering all the time.
 Lomax went or utterly un- manned.
 "Id have given her the moon if shed asked for it-and she said she hated me. :. ,. oh, my God what to become of me?" Sondra bit her lip to hide its sudden trembling.
 She'll come back" she said hoarsely. Don't be so upset I'm sure she'll come back" but she knew that Flora would nevel come back, and Lomax's broker words found a terrified echo 1T l her own heart-"Whats to be- come of me?"
 1 It las been truly said that th' | big events of life generally happeI :, with unexpected suddenness. ant certainly during the past two day so many things happened to Son dra that she was left bewilderet and uncertain which way to turn
 Lomax recovered his poise witt surprising rapidity, and on tn morning following his wife's de partare he sent for Sondra.
 She had never known him yer well; he had always rather ig nored her, and now with only | SABIN'S