The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-08-14

quite truthfully.
 "I only asked" Boyd answered, because I know Dr. Asher. He lives in London too."
 The silence fell again, which she presently broke.
 Shall you go back to America, afterwards?" He laughed. "The more I think of America the further 1t seems to recede,' he said with a touch of bit terness. T shall certainly never go back unless" he did not finish his, sentence, but Georgie understood.
 Tt will be success" she said quickly. and then, But if 1t isn't what will you do then?"
 It seemed a long time until he answered.
 T suppose I shali pass into the land of forgotten men"
 You will never be forgotten" Georgie said almost angrily. T shan't forget you, anyway"
 Then no doubt you will be the solitary exception" he answered with grim mirth.
 There's your wife" Georgie said impulsively. then caught her breath.
 "Yes." Nicholas echoed. There Is certainly my wife" '
 And will she come and settle down here with your"
 Boyd thought suddenly of his parting from Bernie and of her re- peated parrot-cry: q can't live in England can't live in Eng land"
 "She does not like England" he said quietly.
 Doesn't like it!" Georgie was indignant. What does that mat. ter?" she demanded. If you're here, 1t ought not to matter wheth- CT she likes it or not" She broke off, wondering if once again she had said too much.
 Boyd turned suddenly. so that his back was to the gate.
 Do you know, Robin," he said, in curiously soft voice. You are a very dear little girl?"
 Am F" Her eyes were like stars in the pale moonlight. Then do you like me little?"
 More than little. perhaps" he admitted reluctantly. HER eyes met his for a moment. ! ! then she broke out
 And yet you said you didn't want to be friends with me any more?"
 Perhaps that is the reason. My friendship is no use to you. If they make me .. less hideous again, shall go back to my old life, and If not"
 If not" Georgie said quickly. you can still be friends with me. I shouldn't care if you were as hide ous as {. as the Hunchback of Mo- Ire Dame," she said eagerly. casting about in her mind for the most viv- id symbol she knew. "As a matter of fact didn't think he was so hide ous. He was so pathetic"
 And do you think am pathet- ic?"
 There was a little silence. then Georgie said very gently:
 "I think you're just a darling"
 Nicholas turned his head sharply away. and Georgie went on. "I don't suppose ought to say things like this. though 1 really can't see why. If you see flower nobody minds if you say how beautiful it is. or a tree. a great. strong. beauti- ful tree" She stopped. little ashamed of her eloquence.
 And if the tree is blasted and falling?" Nicholas said. t '
 Georgie crept little nearer to him. 4
 "It's still the same tree," she said.
 She hesitated moment. then slipped a hand into his.
 Tt seems such a pity that you won't let me be as nice to you as want to be-" she said simply. ~
 Boyd took his hand away.
 Do you know that you are say ing all the things to me that 1 ought to be saying to your" he asked.
 She made a helpless little ges- ture, and after a moment Boyd said: "My wife also arrives next Friday. Robin" as
 "Oh. but 1 thought you said"
 "She has changed her mind and is coming sooner. 1tea
 Georgie stared down at the short grass at her feet: 1t looked silvery in the pale moonlight.
 "Well," she said at last. "I sup pose it's only natural she should want to be with you as soon az pos sible." S ssq8
 "As you would want to be. if you were my wife," he said.
 Il should never have left you if l had been your wife," Georgie an swered.
 In the following silence a clock < struck ten; Georgie counted each stroke mechanically.
 (copurioht. I9ss. Doubleday Doran)
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