The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-01-03
DAWSON

if that's what you mean by being mine. But don't let's muddle the issue. You haven't an atom of re- spect for me You abuse my af- lection and rely on your physical attraction. You're as unfair as your mother"
 His passion sobered her. From being tantalizing she became ap- peasing.
 If I've stubbed my toe, it's be- cause I've been too just to every body
 Since she was willing to argue, he reseated himself, slightly mol hfied
 My dear Santa come down to earth. Allow me to tick off your attempts at justice"
 Like getting out a financial report on one of your companies, ,, she twitted him. Don't be so neutral. Pull your chair closer D
 1iC SOiAitS4lCO S1 uOSlliSiJ.
 Your past doesn't make a fa- vorable showing. You gave me the gate when I proposed to you, and engaged yourself to Dicky."
 T was afraid of love" she ex- cused herself T loved you too tremendously
 And because you loved me too tremendously, you left me to suf- fer. A queer way of showing devotion"
 But am queer She rested a hand on his knee prettily.
 sI'll say you are. The bird in the bush-the chap you've missed --is the one you value. You dis cover lofty motives for your chop ping and changing. For instance, when you were pledged to Dicky, you promised to follow me to Eu- rope"
 You're digging awfully far back, darling"
 Why not?" I was once the man you'd missed. You've always been consistent in your inconsis- tency. You played the same game on Dicky that you're playing on me. Having chosen him, you tried to collar both of us."
 Then in your opinion I'm pro- -minded?" she suggested.
 In my opinion" he thwarted her effort to charm him. You're totally lacking in sense of re- sponsibiliay Having tossed me to the bow-wows, you reconsidered and divorced Dicky."
 Which proves my fairness" she pleaded. "A more obstinate idiot would have stuck to her guns and ruined the lives of all three of us"
 Tt won't do' She smiled grim ly. T have you sized up. In your own opinion you're a goddess. You can do no wrong. But when you married me you were no philan- thropist. A woman who has fail ed one man can fail a second. It was up to you far more than to me, to make special effort. h. stead of which"
 She held out her arms
 Cant We cry quits?"
 "Nol We've reached the cross roads I'm through with squawk- ng. If your tenderness for Dicky is genuine, you must prefer him. Why not return to him? The de- ,ision we make tonight is final"
 He hadn't set out to say that. What if in an attempt to lash lim back to her she, too, should adopt the whip of cruelty? Her lip puckered. Her hands clench- sd and unfolded.
 There isn't any decision"
 With wriggle that convulsed Ter entire body she twisted, bury
  ng her face in the cushions.
 He was on his knees beside her. |
 T knew there wasn't. Please ion't hide"
 She drew his head down. Grad~ lally her sobbing ceased For some there was silence.
 What are you thinking, San ,a?r
 She released him
 Gee! You're handsome. If you 9ver looked cross-eyed at another woman. I'd bump her off. That's low much I care for you"
 The telephone tinkled. She was ,n her feet in a second.
 "I1l bet that's Dicky. He never knows when he's licked Listen while I give him his fond fare we'll"
 She seized the receiver in fight ng mood
 "Yes, That's correct. Yes
 She turned
 Its for you-a woman"
 Give took the receiver with a l 'igor scarcely less belligerent than Ter own
 Hello! What do you want?"