The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-12-08
DAWSON.

than travel around the world in a yacht with Dicky?" But her protestations only as sured him while he was alone with her. He noted, or thought he not ed that other people regarded their marriage as catch-as-catch-can = anyway as lacking in dignity. Slips of the tongue forced on his attention that he was no more than her second husband. Though her entire happiness was ravenous- ly bound up with his, nothing could efface the impression. Friends visiting, recognized certain objects.
 T gave you that. So glad you're still using it."
 Give didn't require to be hit on the head. He guessed the joyous occasion of the gifts bestowal. He became so sensitive he sus- pected that many of her love- names were borrowings from her cid vocabulary.
 Did you ever call him that?"
 Ridiculous old thing, do you ex- pect me to invent a new language for you?"
 More than once at dinner par ties she caused him discomfort by referring to places at which he was never present.
 When we visited Havana" Even when she had provoked a litter she sailed on gaily with a bright glance at Give. That was before your time"
 Tactless of her No husband is pleased to hear his wife mention honeymoon in which he was not included.
 Il wish you wouldn't Santa" But what's the harm. Every one knows" She failed utterly to comprehend his fastidiousness. That's as may be. But why yell it from the house-tops?" With repetition of the offense, she invented an explanation. T was paying you compliment. The few times was happy with Dicky I fancy that I must have been with you"
 And that really seemed to be the case-that her memories of her husbands had blended. Her other husbandl One never saw him. He battered about like a disembodied spirit. AS far as Give was concerned, he felt that his marriage was haunted. The haunted marriagel Already he had acquired enough data to write a book on it. In his most peaceful moments he was continually blun- dering on footprints left by Dicky Meanwhile all her effort was to convinve him that her past was most remotely banished. She lav- ished gifts on him-stick pins cufflinks; whatever suggested itself to her generosity. For his birthday she begged permission to give him a check suit-a black and white one. She chose the tailor. You're so handsome. I long to see you in one that's made-to- measure"
 Under pressure, he consented, to discover that Dicky Dak was one of the tailor's favored clients
 MT. Oak is rare one for the checks, sir. He's what we call a snappy dresser"
 Before the suit came home, Give had taken an aversion to it. When it had been hung in his cupboard he never wore it.
 Santa accused him of not caring for it.
 Frankly, I don't"
 But it fits. Whats the objec- tion?"
 I'm not Oak. I purchase my clothes ready-made. Always have" |" "As you choose" Santa smiled.
 She was imperturably pleasant The janitor's about your size. Why not give it to him?"
 He didn't tell her, to hold ur his end he was drawing on his
 savings His out-of- pocket expens- es for theatre tickets, automobile
 hire, general entertainment, hae amounted to more than his con.
 tribution to housekeeping.
 Pride demanded that when sht
 showered him with gifts he should
 return them with an equal gen
 erosity. He was living on a plan,
 which nothing. in his prospect
 warranted. To increase his her,
 vousness he had shrewd suspic
 ion that he firms affairs wer,
 going none too prosperously.
 Three months after his scatter
 brained return from Chicago, MI Cleasby called him into the office
 I've been watching you, Give
 You're all strung up. Ought t,
 take a holiday with your wife
 There's a concern we've finance