The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-02-26
SlAoskSe0A A STRUGGLED NOTE

Chapter 34
 A STRUGGLED NOTE
 Some one took Rocks arm light ly -Buenas tardes. senor," said 9 low voice at his elbow.
 Rock bowed gallantly to the slim creature on his arm. He did not recognize her, but saw that she was the Spanish girl in gold and black.
 ''Buenas tardes, senorita," replied Rock.
 She averted her face and walked with him.
 Rock grasped suddenly that there appeared to be a little pressure on his arm, gradual but sure guid- ance of his steps. They were en- tering the dance-han, where many masuueraders has assembled. The orchestra burst into music, lan- guorous Spanish waltz. The girl who had led him there swayed to the rhythm, toward him, slowly lifting her hand to his shoulder
 You handsome gan1blerl You don't know mel" she cried, in arch reproach.
 "Amyl" exclaimed Rock, incred- ulously.
 'Trueman, what aid you do to my husband? He came home the other day at noon-something un- heard of, she went on, swiftly. @He told me you'd been in to see him. That you had raked him over the coals. That you had cleared up something between you and me! Then he told me that he had been sore and jealous for a long time. He'd neglected me shamefully. He would turn over a new leaf. He would try to be young again. {. Oh, he knocked me cold! Since then he has been like he was when he courted me"
 Good Lordlp said Rock, under his breath.
 T forgot to tell you something else. You know I was scared of Clink Peoples. Today I met Peoples. He apologized for insulting me"
 "Of course you'll dance often with Thiry Preston?' Amy asked presently, the old jealousy flaring up.
 'fReckon I haven't the nerve yet to ask even one. Besides. I prob- alsly won't recognize her.
 s'Bahl That girl couldn't disguise herself in burlap sack returned Amy.
 An1y's last words added to Roek'z sudden realization of what thin ice he was skating on.
 tfIll have to stand for you pay ing some attention to Tf1iry," went on Amy, passionately. But be care ful. |. If you dance more with her than with me-Lord help heri" .'Amyl What nonsense" re- turned Rock, sharply.
 Amy must have had certain duties as a hostess, for she slipped away from Rock and minbled with the laughing, curious assemblage. He made no effort to follow.
 Rock remained at the entrance to the patio, and was standing close to the wall, when a small party entered the corridor and came quickly down There appeared tobe half dozen youths in non- descript masquerade, and severa' girls, two of whom, attired in white stood out prominently.
 .Look" spoke up g. woman to hel neighbor on bench near Rock That girl in white. Colonial we'd ding -gownl Isn't she just lovely Who can it be?"
 It struck Rock that the girl ir the wedding gown was certainly worth looking at At first she die not appear to be masked at all, but as she drew closer he saw that she wore close-fitting mask, scarcely any winter than her powdered face Her hair was done up in some amazing style and as colorless as snow. Arms and neck, of exquisite contour, likewise were of dazzling whiteness. The gown, one of those hoop-skirted, many-ruffled affairs Rock had seen in pictures, took UT the space of three ordinarily dressed women. Indeed, there appeared scarcely space enough for the gir to pass him.
 Trueman flattened himself against the wall, as he had observed the two