The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-09-07
/ Chapter 46
 REAL NEWS

T II N door, and Mrs. Drill hurried in. R Well. l never" she began. You could have knocked me down with a feather when Scarlet told me you'd come home. We'll, never"
 "There wasn't time to let you know" Georgie said; her spirits rose at sight of the woman's kindly face. i've just made some tea if you'd like some, but there's no need for you to stay, l can see to n.y. self" 4
 "Tea's always welcome" Mrs. Drill said and fetched another cup. % Well, and what do you think of the news. Miss Georgie?"
 You mean about the house?"
 "Yes, and about your uncle. I'll Z bet you was surprised"
 What about my uncle?" Georgie asked blankly.
 < Mrs. Drill stared at her.
 You don't mean that he hasn't told you?" she asked. Well, 1 nev- CT. 1 should have thought it would have been the first thing he would have said, but perhaps he don't like to, him gentleman born anyway as you might say" a
 What are you talking about?" Georgie asked impatiently. "He told me he was going to sell the house if he could, and that he was going to live at the Boar's Head. But if there's anything else" ,'
 Live at the Boar's Head is right enough" Mrs. Drill said with deep satisfaction. "Of course he's going to live at the Boar's Head seeing that he's going to marry Mrs. Spears"
 Marry Mrs. Spears!" Georgie laughed. "I don't believe you" she said firmly. T can't believe you" she amended her words. "Why, Mrs. Spears doesn't even like Uncle Ed ward"
 "Ah, that's what she told you ex- pect," Mrs. Drill said knowingly. But she don't tell everything to you or to anyone else. She's one of the deep ones. She's going to marry him alright, and fine step up it is for her. They're going to be married next week in London. Everyone in the village knows about it, Miss Georgie. Most of 'em think that your Ma knew. too. seeing that she took you away all in hurry like. l couldn't believe my ears when heard that you'd come home again"
 Come home! Georgie laughed, wondering if there was anyone in the world more homeless than she. .ATER on in the evening, having A first made sure that her uncle was asleep in his study, Georgie walked down to the Boar's Head. The village seemed silent and de- serted, but as she walked she seemed to hear a slow, limping footstep be- hind her, and once she turned her head quickly, almost expecting to see Nicholas Boyd's tall figure out lined against the dark sky.
 If only-if only! She hurried on. trying vainly to outstrip the longing which she knew must go with her tosthe end of her life. It seemed hard that she must be one of the faithful sort, she thought wistfully; other girls whom she had known in Lon don laughed and talked about the number of their love affairs as If 1t was quite natural to have half a dozen.
 The Boar's Head was gay with light, and the sound of the radio. Georgie loved music. but tonight even the cheery lit of jazz tune deepened the ache in her heart.
 Georgie pushed open the glass panelled door which was proudly marked Hotel Entrance" and came face to face with Mrs. Spears.
 For moment they looked at one another silently, then Mrs. Spears said lhelplessly: well, I never. Come. right in. was just thinking aboutyou."
 I only came back this afternoon" Georgie said.
 s"So I hear." Mrs. Spears looked a little nervous. which must have been an unusual experience for her, as she led the way to her own private rooms
 "Take a seat" she said affably. 'And tell me all the things you've been doing in London"
 frThere isn't much to tell" Geor- gle said. And 1 came to say-to ask" she fioundered helplessly. kdRS. SPEARS rushed into the AVA breach. sfS Na l"Te ask if it's true that I'm going to marry your uncle. Well, yes. it is.