The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-11-28
NVS-U DAWSON.

ringing. Some seconds were lost in finding her key. The apart ment was in darkness. Again she wasted time in groping for the switches. The phone continued tc insist and command
 'Hello" she exclaimed fretfully
 T should hope SO" DIcky's voice. Been trying to reach you for the past two hours. Don't wait dinner. Got a business confer ] ence"
 l Tt won't do, Dicky." She spoke firmly. This is my first night back"
 Too bad, darling. The confer 'ence is about those mines. And it's too worse, too: have to sleep on train, for I'm due in St. Paul tomorrow For another conference?" You're becoming quite a cute little guesser'
 T don't believe a word of it. Dicky. For some reason you're afraid of me"
 For heavens sake!' He yawned So that she heard him. This is your chance as much as mine. If the deal goes through, we'll be in- clover"
 Then I wish you luck if I don't , see you again"
 But you will" His tone became anxious. T have to fetch my suit case. If you're a kind little wife, you'll have it packed" 1 She made her toilet with spec ial care, choosing the high -waisted Venetian gown with the billowy skirt, which he'd loved when he was counting. Between fears and temper she flung his travelling kit into his suitcase. Dinnerless and wounded she sat down to wait for him.
 Hours slipped by. Seven Eight Nine. There would be no time to deliver her ultimatum. To start a discussion with a husband in a hurry would be useless.
 Her reading of his character be- came clear and yet more clear. From that third night of the hon. eymoon when he'd called her Lou Lou she'd been continually stumb- ling on discoveries Most of them, she'd refused to admit till now. They had come to her in frag- ments. She pieced them together like a Chinese puzzle. At last she had no doubt that she knew all about him.
 His key in the latch. She snatch ed a book. He entered briskly humming.
 From the hall he called to her. Got my suitcase ready?" In the bedroom"
 She heard him go in search of it-then his footsteps returning. 1 WOA, III O14y 0dl illle5.
 That's good
 Not huffy, I hope"
 You're an optimist." 1 Bless my soul. I hadn't mo- ticed. You're all dolled up. Why the magnificence?" 70, trot along" She turned a page. He ap- preached and stood over her. Expecting someone?r There was one name with which she could always annoy him. Joking aside" she glanced up, ito whom did you lend my coat? To Lou-Lou?"
 Been snooping! So that's how you've spent the afternoon!"
 "I'n hand it to you, Dicky, when you place your affections, you're tremendously loyal"
 You're right" He twiddled his mustache-a sure sign that he was confused. T hate to quit on any, body. The poor kid was down and out. used to be her pal. Of course, when I married you So in sense I felt responsible. Surely you don't blame me?" Blame you for playing the good Samaritan!" She opened her eyes charmingly wide. T wish I didn't have to go." He perched himself on the arm of her chair. You strike me as queer. Santa-too alarmed polite. What are you planning about the twen- ty thousand?'
 "Oh, that. You really must go. Dicky. Look at the time. I'll give you my answer later"
 That's not very satisfactory. These fellows I'm to meet will ex- pect me to be definite
 He hovered uncertainty; then picked up his suitcase. She &C., companied him to the hall and submitted to his embrace.
 The moment he was gone, she slipped the chain in place. She might have forgiven him had the