The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-08-07

how 1t was that she had managed | to remain so unspoflt, so very diff ferent from the girls with whom he had mixed in that part of his life which now seemed so far away. | He thought of his wife, and she too, seemed remote, someone whom he had known years ago and almost forgotten. | She would be scornfully amused if she could see him now. A fallen star indeed, standing in a pokey kitchen trying in vain to say or do something that would comfort girl like Georgie. He turned suddenly.
 "All right" he said briefly.
 Georgie echoed his words vaguely.
 "All right-what? she asked.
 "You ean have it your way" he. told her unsmilingly. wen go for walks now and then, and let the vil- lage talk. shall we?" It was pathetic to see the way her face frightened. Do you mean it?" she asked.
 Certainly l mean it," he an- swered.
 She looked at him for a moment, then before h, could move back or prevent her. she had crossed the space between them, and standing on tiptoe, kissed his cheek.
 "Oh, thank you" she said, almost humbly.
 There wal an embarrassed si- lence. then Boyd laughed.
 Are you always so grateful for small mercies?
 "If anyone is kind to me, am always grateful" Georgie answered.
 But people are not kind to you very often. Is that it?" he said. and Georgie nodded, adding as an after thought: But I met someone who was, yesterday, when was in Lon don."
 "Your friend of the boat?"
 "No, a man." Georgie said "I met him in a movie" she added rather doubtfully.
 Nicholas drowned. and she hastened to explain.
 "He was quite a gentleman: he took me out to tea afterwards and he paid"
 His grave face relaxed into a smile.
 TIE said he was a decent chap" ! ! Georgie went on, encouraged, "he told ne had nothing to be afraid of." She paused. "He asked me for my address, and he said he would write to me-"
 "It sounds like film story" Boyd said dryly.
 "Yes, doesn't it?" Georgie agreed. Tt was really rather fun. His name is Clifford Asher"
 T see" there was note of sarcasm. And is he young and strong. and handsome%
 He's young," Georgie said thoughtfully. And strong. should think. but not handsome exactly. He was kind though. He seemed to understand me at once; he said he knew that l was lonely"
 Nicholas laughed. "The gentleman evidently knows all the ropes," he commented.
 What do you mean?" Georgfe asked. but he would not tell her.
 And when do you see him again '" he asked.
 q don't know; he said he would write."
 q see" He moved stiffy as If his leg pained him. "Weil, must be going"
 She asked eagerly: "When shah see you again?"
 His moody eyes rested on her face.
 q should like to see you this after noon," Georgie said frankly. "But I suppose you won't care about that, so could I see you tomorrow"
 'T shalt go for walk about eleven, if it's not wet"
 Shall I call for your" Georgie asked, but he shook his head.
 "No, I don't think so. I'll go the way we went the other day-if can find it."
 You'll find 1t easily enough" Georgie said confidently.
 She followed him to the door.
 And thank you for ca1Iing." she added pol. ely.
 "The pleasure is mine," Boyd answered.; he raised his hat and walked away.
 Georgfe went back to the kitchen. For moment she had forgotten the sudden tragedy which had obtruded itself into her life. but now 1t came back to her overwhelmingly.
 Lovelock was dead; she felt as if the bottom of the world were fall ing slowly from beneath her feet.
 Lovelock had been an institution. Georgie looked at the empty chair with its red cushion, and the slow tears coursed down her cheeks. fCoppriont. 1888. Doubleday DordnJ
 Nicholas, tomorrow. has an un.