The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-08-22

rection; it was Cass.
 He pulled up with swift apology then chuckled delightedly.
 Good lord-Miss Kent! And what in the world are you doing in this neighborhood? I was only thinking of you moment ago"
 T was thinking of you too" Son. dra said laughingly. And I'm not doing anything very alarming just looking around. How are you?"
 Al thanks-aaways Al. Glor- ious morning, eh? Makes you feel glad to be alive" He broke off to ask more soberay. You've heard about Anderson, of course. }
 "About--John?" Sondra's face paled and her heart missed a beat. "Why-what about him, is he ill?"
 "Ill-lord, mol never been i'll in his life as far as I know. No, I mean about Evelyn" 4 Sondras dips moved, but for a moment no words came, then she asked stiffly: She. .. has she divorced ilim-at 1ast?"
 Cass pulled wry face.
 Well, not divorced him exactly but she's set him free all right she'd dead-died very suddenly two days ago-in the South of France"
 Sondra felt the hot blood rush ing headlong to her cheeks as she stood there with Cass's whimsical eyes upon her.
 She tried to speak, to say some thing casual, but no words would come, and Cass said with sudden compunction:
 I'm afraid I've given you bit bit of a shock; Come and sit down there's a tea room just at the corner"
 He linked his arm in hers in friendly fashion and led her across the road, not speaking any more until they were seated at mar ble topped table in small, un- pretentious room.
 T often come here" Cass said. "Its cheap and cheerful. Two coffees, please, miss drew out his cigarette case. Will you have one?" he asked Sondra.
 She shook her head. NO, thank you"
 She had recovered a little now and tried to laugh. ''You did ra- ther give me a shock. Poor John --iS he. .. sorry. do you think?" :, Cass made a comical grimace. Do you need ask me that? You should know"
 2 Sondra shrugged ner shoulders
 oh, John and I are not SO as we used to be-" she said lightly.
 Cass stopped in the act of light ing cigarette
 Why not?" he asked .;luntly.
 T really don't know: people change, don't they?'
 Not John," Cass said.
 There was a little silence, then Class stretched hand across the table and laid it over Sondra's.
 Look here" he said in kindly fashion. I'm not a fool, though know I'm supposed to be, and I've seen for myself that you and old John aren't quite as. well he didn't let you know he was coming back to town for one thing. did he?"
 Sondra shook her head, and her eyes filled with tears.
 She felt shaken and upet this sudden shock coming on top of everything, else was almost more than she could bear.
 'Of course. .. he had a per- feet right" she stammered
 Cass pressed her hand.
 You can take it from me-" he said earnestly, that John hasn't changed one iota towards you. If he's been. ... different, there's some very good reason for it. I'm not a sentimental chap, never was, but I'm fond of John-been a good friend to me-and I can tell you that you're the only soul in the world he cares two hangs about, and-dash it all, ought to know"
 He took his hand away as the waitress brought the coffee.
 Sondra said nothing, but her heart missed a beat.
 Hell come pelting along direct ly, you see" CaSs went on after a moment, with extreme satisfac- ton. T know you've been having a tough time-John knows it too. but things'll be all right now you see. Of course, I suppose for de- cencys sake he'll have to wait bit, but. :"
 Sondra interrupted quickly.
 You're talking nonsense, Cass. wouldn't marry John if he ask