The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-02-20

ibara's lap, turned round three times and settled themselves tc
 sleep.
 j She must have dozed, too, under the warm burden of the sleeping dogs. For when she struggled up right in the creaking old chaii the clock on the mantlepiece tolc her that it was nearly two.
 The fire had gone out. She i shivered and pulled on her coat again, furiously humiliated, anc decided that travel-stain or not she would go upstairs and fino
 Mark for herself. She had in the past conceded too much to his
 weaknesses, his helpless appeal.
 Vaguely aware that she was
 changing in her attitude towards
 him, she told herself that she
 loved him more, not less. Loved him too much to let him spoil
 their happiness.
 1 She went quickly up the big stir way. A door in the upper hall
 stood open a little, revealing a long line of bookcases, evidently a library.
 She was a little way up the sec ond flight when she saw, out of the corner of her eye, the door of the library swing wide.
 "Babsl Well, I'm dashed! D'you know I thought it was you, but I said to meself 1t can't be Babs, I said, creepin' about at this time of the nightl I was tryin' to find a book I could read. Are you lookin' for Mark"
 Leila told me you were in bed" said Barbara, feebiy following a beckoning finger.
 Mrs. Lodely led the way down a side corridor and into a bed- room that was most obviously bare. She was a peculiar figure under the softly shaded lights. Her man. nish form was clad in flannel cite pyjamas, over which she had wrapped a kimono very much tum- bled and soiled.
 T had row with Mark about all these people he's invited here," she said, pushing a cigarette be- tween her lips and starting her usual hunt for matches. He says they ain't my sort and I say anybody's my sort provided they're nice, and jolly and no nonsense about 'em."
 So went to bed early, but I couldn't get to sleep and, well, there was some dancin' and singin goin' on and I was just slippin up to watch it when you"
 But you weren't going like that. Judy dear?'
 Well I don't Know why I shouldn't. Marks very keen on this beial' one of those Bohemian sort of parties with people strollin in just anyhow, so I thought" She broke off and appeared to grasp the riddle of Barbara's pres ence for the first time. But what are you doin' here?" ! sWearily Barbara explained.
 Whatever made him send for you?" she said after a pause, you won't see him tonight, if you take my advice. You don't want to with him."
 Why should we quarrel?"
 My dear gel, you know what Mark can be when he's in wicked mood. And he's been in his wick edest ever since he came here. I'm not sure Farrell, though he means well, he's the soul of generosity sos his young secretary, Poole I'm not sure Farrell don't delib- erately work Mark up into being -well-devilish. In fact"
 In fact?"
 Mrs. Lodely hesitated.
 Please go on, July"
 Well, my dear gel, if you will have it, I'm pretty certain Farrell bet Mark you wouldn't come if you were sent for. And Mark said, of course. you would. Neith- CT of 'em really wanted you here at all"
 That's lie," said Barbara im- mediately. She had to thrust her hands deep into her pockets to keep them off the big, highly col ored face that gaped at her. How dared Judy-how dared she! If he told me himself he had done it, I wouldn't believe it!" she add ed passionately. "He is absolutely incapable of a bet like that!"
 A gulp from Mrs. Lodely was fol- lowed by a splutter and, finally, speech.
 Well, I'm dashed! Snappin' my head off like that! All said was that thought they'd made a bet about it. I'm sure I can't help my thoughts. As for your gettin' up on your high horse about the