The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1933-10-04
l& Outrageous Fortune
4 E$a$ IN Razaleia NknzMusM
RaNlela WeA1NosM

She began to go slowly towards
the door. She was wearing q loose
brown tweed coat. She Rugged 1t
round her as If she were cold.
Nesta stood aside to let her pass,
but just on the threshold Caroline
turned, her color changing brightly.
"Have you got photograph OF
your husband"
"No, / haven't"
mot even a SNAPSHOT"
"I've said no, haven't II"
Caroline rested her hand upon the
jamb of the door. Something in her
would not take Nesta's no; she
couldn't tell why. Eager words came
hurrying to her lips.
"Mrs. Riddell-I don't feel as If I
could go away without seeing him.
Won't you try and understand how
/ feel about it? It's such strong
feeling-I can't shake it off. If go
away like this, shall keep on think
ing about him, and about my letter
the one l wrote and signed Caroline.
And l shall keep on thinking, Sup
pose it was jim But if | were to see
him, l should know"
The hard color rose in Nestas
cheeks.
Are you calling me a liar?" she
said. Because II you are, I've had
enough. Jim Riddelps my husband,
and I've got my marriage lines 20
prove it. don't know who you are,
and l don't care. Calling yourself 8
chaps cousins as good way or get
ting off as any other-and you may
be one Of Jim's girls, or you may be
touched in the head.
'l"But this is my brothers house
and can do with your room instead
of your company-coming here after
another woman's husband and CIV
ing me the lie about him to my face!
Let me tell you that you'll not see
him, not if you were to stay here all
day. He's got something better to
id than sit about at home waiting for
his lady friends to drop in. He's got
cur keep to earn and a job to go to.
And I'll thank you to be off out OF
this"
Caroline's hand dropped from the
door. She looked taller. She was
pale.
She said, Good morning, Mrs.
Riddell," and walked out of the
house and down the gravel path to
the car.
\ TESTA RIDDELL had time to
y wonder what had happened to
Jim during the hours that followed.
When at last an uncertain step
sounded on the gravel path, she ran
to the door, anxiety fiaring into
anger.
Where have you been?" she be-
gan, and then stopped as he lurched
past her into the parlor.
She thought at first that he was
drunk, but 1t was fatigue that sent
him Keeling to the nearest chair.
where have you been?" she re-
peated. "You look all in. What d'you
want to go walking about till you're
fit to drop? Six hours you've been
gone, and you couldn't have had
bite or drop, because you hadn't
copper on you. Hold on and I'll
get you something Minis got
kettle on"
She brought him cold meat and
vegetables and a cup OF strong tea,
and followed up the meat with
bread and cheese. When he had
eaten and she had taken the things
away, she came back and looked at
him sharply.
Been bit Of fool, haven't you?
What d'you want to go fiinging or
like that? You've been i'll, you know
and you get up out of bed and go
walking about for the best part OF
seven hours on an empty stomach!
Batty. call IT."
He was lying back in one OF the
red and blue chairs, his face sharp
ened, his eyes fixed and heavy. He
had the look OF an exhaustion which
was something more than physical.
His body had moved mechanically
while thoughts which he could not
out-distance pursued and threatened
him.
They drove him, and he was
driven without hope of escape. He
did not know where he had been;
only as he lifted the latch and felt
his feet upon the new gravel Tom
Williams had laid down, fatigue
came upon him like an insupportable
weight. The food had done him good.
Now there was dullness on him.
1t was like the fog. He frowned at
the recollection Of the fog.
You'd better get to bed" said
Nesta briskly.
And presently he was in bed and
sinking, sinking down, into the
depths Of sleep.
Copyright. 1888, !. b. Lippincott co.,
A. =