The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-11-21
PARADISE
DAWSON

assumed the light comedy man. her of bachelor uncle. Given the choice, do you suppose anyone would go through the ceremony twice-that's to say with the same persona"
 You mean that we've made a mess of things. If the faults mine, tell me"
 Its the first time you've owned that you could have fault, San ta. Your parents taught you to believe you were perfect.'
 "As your women friends taught you. But this pot calling the ket- tie black gets us nowhere. Can't we do better?"
 Depends on you"
 "All right, then" she made a weary gesture, you're the one who's perfect. Whats my failing that most annoys you"
 Most" he pondered. That you're a drill-sergeant-seem con- vinced you were born to run me. i"
 But Dicky," she protested in patient denial, T don't want to run you. If I drag you away from your bed and stir your ambition, it's because I share your fortunes, I'd give anything to have a hus- band on whom I could depend"
 You've said it." He pointed an accusing finger. You don't trust me"
 70, Dicky, must tell you that again. You're irresponsible as a mischievous boy What happened last night was an example. You take me to a dance and then vanish. A couple I hardly knew felt sorry for me and bring me home. You return by yourself hours later. How you'd spent your time was obvious"
 Last night was an exception" he avoided her eyes.
 They're all exceptions" she ac- cused him. You're becoming a booze hound. The habits grow ing. Nice people steer clear of you"
 He sat up with as much dignity as a man in pyjawas can muster
 80 that's your opinion of me on our first anniversary"
 Which you didn't remember" !" she challenged.
 Rubbish" he coaxed. We don't get along too badly"
 She perched herself on the foot Of his bed.
 An older woman might have handled you, Dicky. They're IA years between us. We belong to different generations"
 Any reference to his age irri- tated him.
 Handled! There you go Can't you get into your head that a man detests to be managed? And the difference in our ages was your reason for accepting me. You were sick of boys; 8 man of the world could make allowances"
 She nodded.
 But I didn't realize that men Of the world make allowances in order to be excused. I've been excusing you since the third night of our honeymoon.
 The trouble between us," he clustered, ''is that you have money at moment when I havn't."
 T knew that was coming" Her face darkened. You paid for the honeymoon; since then I've paid for everything"
 My bad lucK," he countered Was to blame that my real es- tate venture went bust? I cer- tainly did you royalty so long as I had money"
 And yourself as well. Your money lasted as long as our hon. eymoon."
 Everything depends on the in- depreciation" a1e sneered.
 Ut does" She contained relent- lessly. You've never played the game by me. If you had, I'd stake you with my last dollar. But from the first day you misrepre- sented yourself. You didn't lie outright, but you implied by your extravaganza that you were pros porous"
 50 I shall be when the old man dies"
 But you're not and you weren't when we became engaged. You must have known that your real estate development was on the rocks. A short life and a merry one was your policy; so you grab- bed me as 1ife-saver"
 His face quivered.
 There was only one reason that loved you"
 You've a quaint idea of love-" she retorted. Your love wasn't like mine. Mine was new. sours was shop-soiled. At home I was