The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1933-10-04
Chapter IA
cARoLINE's PLEA

Chapter IA
cARoLINE'S PLEA
CAROLINE felt as IL there were
~ strong invisible bars between
Them. She lifted her chin and took a
step forward. All the bolts and bars
in the world weren't going to keep
her from Jim.
MAY I come in?"
Nesta stood where she was, the
door half closed.
"Pm Mrs. Riddell--but don't
know who you are"
"I'm Caroline Leigh. I've got a
message from the Elston cottage
hospital. May come in?"
Nesta Riddell had no intention OF
talking about the Elston cottage hos
pital at Minis front door. She stepped
haek, let Caroline pass her and,
shutting the door, showed the way
Into the parlor. Caroline turned to
face her, flushed with success.
There, beside the hearth, was the
coalscuttle, as bright as a new pen
ny. She held out the bill.
II think you dropped this bill. The
nurse asked me to give it to you"
Nesta glanced at it, frowned, and
crushed it in her hand.
THANK you-you needn't have
troubled; it didn't matter"
ooh, but l was coming to see you
anyhow"
you were coming to see me?
What for?"
Caroline stayed silent. Her feeling
Of success drained away. She felt as
If she were on the edge OF saying
something very important. Once she
had said it, she would not be able to
take it back. Yet she must say it.
Only what it was that she must say
she did not really know.
Then she said it.
where's Jim?"
Nesta's hand closed hard upon the
crumpled bill. Jim wasn't here,
thank goodness. 1t, was no more
than ten minutes since he had
barged out Of the house. jim! Shed
teach other women to come after
her husband. She repeated the name
in most offensive voice.
"Jimg'
Caroline colored brightly.
MRS. Riddell-please-I must see
him-because l think he is my cou-
sin, Jim Randall. The nurse said
what does she know about it?
He's my husband"
Are you sure?" :
Nesta laughed angrily.
what do you SUPPOSED"
1.-THE nurse said"
"And | say, what does she know
about it?"
"Please let me speak. The nurse
said there was piece of letter in his
pocket with the signature Caroline.
I'm Caroline, and ! sent him a letter
signed just like that. SO you sec"
NTESTA'S manner changed. She
y smoothed away her frown and
said in her best company manner:
"It's a pity you've had SO much
trouble for nothing. The letter was
from a Miss Caroline Russell, who is
cousin Of mine"
Detection flowed in upon Caroline
like a fog. 1t all came out SO pat
Miss Caroline Bussell-a cousin Of
mine. -. She couldn't have invented
a name like Caroline Russell all in
one flashing instant.
She lifted her head as II to gel
above the fog and asked:
Have you got the letter here?"
mo. l haven't. l don't keep ole
torn bits of paper"
IF could have seen it" sai(
Caroline very earnestly. She wai
pressing her hands together. palm
to palm, and finger to finger. Hei
eyes under her little brown tweed
cap. the bright clear brown Of peaty
water. gazed pleadingly at Nesta
Her hair was the same bright color
Nesta did not answer in words
She smiled little.
III you would lend me pencil
If l could write my name-you't
know II it was the same"
do you think l don't know my
own husband?" said Nesta.
What did one say to that-wha
could one say? OF course she mus
know her own husband. Caroline''
hope was pricked bubble. She has
made fool of herself to woman
with rasping voice and eyes like
bits Of tin. =