The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-02-05

klpOA1ICl1Uoy III VllC oAldNtOW OA eAA> cabin, apparently listening.
 MT. Rock, would you like to wall with me to my cabin?" she asked
 'Why-pleased, I'm sure," re. piled Rock, haltingly, scarce able to conceal his amazed joy. What old fashioned courtesy! Goodnights were exchanged, and Rock found himself walking away under the great dark pines, in the shadowed moonlight, with Thiry beside him
 Thiry walked beside him, slender light ht-stepping, with her profile showing clear-cut and cold in the moonlight. AS she did not speak TIueman dismissed the idea that her invitation was simply an old fashioned courtesy. Therefore he made no attempt at conversation When they had covered most ot the distance to her cabin, without exchanging a single word, he felt, anew and provokingly the growing excitement of the situation. At last she slowed her step, he's itated, and halted under the mag nificent pine tree that made dark shade around her cabin Outside the circle there were spaces of sil- yer moonlight, and then streaks and bars of black shadow across the light. The night wind breathed in the huge spreading mass of foi- age overhead. How supernaturally beautiful the place and moment!
 The girl confronted Trueman, and her face had the sheen of the moonlight, her eyes the darkness and mystery of the shade.
 MT. Rock, want to talk to you, T she said, very quietly.
 "Yes?" rejoined Truemap, en- couragingly, but he was not m the least encouraged. -
 Have you been-wholly honest in coming out here to Sunset Pass?" she asked gravely. .
 "Honest!-what do you mean?'' flashed Rock, his pride cut and his blissful anticipations fading. z What did you tell father?" 5 ( T asked him for @ job,' returned Rock, curtly.
 Did you let him believe the job was your sole reason for coming?''
 No. He said I hadn't been long in trailin you up. He was good- natured and nice So I didn't deny it. I laughed and agreed with him"
 "Oh-you dtdl" she exclaimed, somehow shaken out of her reserve. That's different, I apologize"
 Miss Preston, you don't owe me any apology rejoined Rock, stiffly.
 Yes, I do. I though you'd de- cedved Dad-the same as so many riders have done"
 Rock had averted his face. He was astounded and hurt, suddenly, |coldly checked in his romantic imaginings. What manner of girl was this Thiry Preston? It might be that sine was a worthy sister to unsoctable Ash Preston. But that resentful thought could not abide with his loyalty.
 MT. Rock, do you remember the last moment, when you were with me at the corral in Wagontongue?" she asked.
 I'm not likely to forget it." he returned.
 You looked something at me. You didn't say so, but you mean. you'd see me again. Now didn't you? Honest?"
 Miss Preston, IT certainly did, answered Rock. hastily. But indeed, didn't mean to be rude or-or bold.'
 T don't think you were either, she said, earnestly. 'sI-But wait a moment. My sister is coming"
 Rock glanced up to see the slim figure of Alice pass by toward the cabin.
 Good night, MT. Cowboy" shs said, naively.
 Good night. Miss Preston" re. piled Rock, trying to be gay. She went into the cabin ane closed the door. Soon a light glis. tened pale through curtainet window.
 We might sit down. suggested Thiry, indicating a rustic bencl under the pine. T am tired"
 The bench appeared to catch { gleasn of the shadowed moonlight Thiry could here be seen mon clearly than while she stood in tn shade. Rock preferred to stand and he wished he could not se her so well.
 MT. Rock, please don't misun stand" she began, looking uT T was far from being inslllted o even offended that day in the stor land ct the corral. At the qast there, you meant you'd see m again. And you've done it. No we're concerned with that" I Reckon might have waited decent little while" responde Rock. as she paused. wanted | a--