The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-12-12
Chapter 25
NIGHT ATTACK :.

NIGHT ATTACK -s
 ISIFTY yards away canoe stopped and hovered motionless. A fig ure stood up in it and stared down toward the island. For perhaps five minutes the craft lowered there. Then it slowly backed away. blurred to nothingness, disappeared.
 Spying out our camp!" Curt breathed to himself.
 Gradually the pink glow faded from the mountain peaks. A big cloud hove in sight over the eastern range. Curt watched it anxiousIy, $ afraid it would come on west and blot out the moon and plunge the lake into darkness just when he and Paul might have to beat off an at tack.
 Moccasined footsteps came up the west landwash. Paul. he thought. A moving blur shaped itself to a hu- man figure. Then he saw it was not Paul.
 A dozen steps away the figure stopped, looked around for him.
 "Sonya," he called quietly.
 She came on to the little barri- cade. "Is one allowed to talk to the guard?" she asked whimsically. She crouched down with him. "I brought you one of my blankets and tincup of coffee. I raked enough sand off the fire to heat this, but l didn't ex. pose the coals."
 Curt squeezed her hand. "lt was sweet of you-all the trouble. dear. But you'd better take the blanket. This mountain air gets chilly when a person isn't moving around" He put the blanket about her shoulders.
 Thanks, Curt The air does have bite in 1t"
 She did not free her hand or ob. ject to his endearino word. Her near ness and that shock of golden-brown hair so close to his shoulder almost robbed him of ''is restraint.
 "Tired?" he asked gently.
 "A little"
 He put his arm around her and made her snuggle against him. Isn't that better, dear?"
 Lots, Curt" But then she caught herself up and admitted more eau tiously, "I mean-lots better than the cold rocks"
 His lips touched her hair, her fore head. "Sonya. look up at me-"
 Don't, Curt = please" whisper of protest from her as he sought her lips. She would not all low him Dear. you must not" She reached up her hand and touched his hair, running her fingers over it. Curt, you've been so good, you're so unsellish and generous-Id hate myself if l caused you any pain"
 "Pain-to me? Why Sonya, you couldn't do that!"
 But 1 could. You'll want me you do even now. Curt-to be more than a friend; and l don't-can't- Oh, wish we could continue to be just the good friends we have been" CURT started little. "'Cant?' N he repeated. Do you mean that we-that l can't be more than q friend?"
 Please Curt, I'd rather not talk about it."
 You've never told me anything at all about yourself. don't even know your name, your real name."
 Does that matter?'
 'Or where you came from. or where you're going when this trips ended. Is that fair, Sonya?"
 Its grossly unfair. I've treated you unfairly all along, Curt. But 1 can't help myself. When this trip :s over, maybe ther l can afford to be honest I don't blame you for ask ing questions. but . think I'll go back to the rocks down there"
 Please don't Curt begged.
 She leaned her tired head back against his shoulder. but Curt felt she was far away from him, alone with her own thoughts. He seemed shut out by a granite wall of aloof ness. For days he had been vaguely aware of some barrier between them; now he felt it forcibly and unmistahaa;y. Cant" - had she really meant that portentous little word? r Moccasined footsteps again. quick i footsteps. very near the sentry ! box. Sonya hastily freed herself. and irew apart from Curt. Y Here. Paul"
 The young Canadian came up taf hem "A party just landed on t!:e :.