The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-02-03

illSlIG d4iN JOu4 SCO1IAfC- WAAeOS' 'SA it is-separated from you by forty three distinct and progressively painful efforts"
 There is a short flight for you to tackle here, I'm afraid" apolo- eized Armitage. "The top floor used to be the servants quarters in my fathers time. Then he converted the back into a staff wing; but the elevator shaft was never taken any higher"
 But why stow me so high up?"
 Because it seemed to make the best-workroom for you"
 The lift had now completed it's ascent, but Mark remained seated gazing despairingly out at this up- per hall along which hrmitage proposed to lead him. His mourn full eyes came to rest on a door opposite. The door had been thrust apart, obviously by the dogs who now lay in guilty ectasy all lover plain, narrow bed
 Do you think I could lie down for bit, somewhere before I see those stairs, Armitage?"
 Silently Armitage ushered him in. His own room, this; a bare light, almost forbidding apart ment. Mark hobbled into it with a gasp of pleasure.
 "Oh, by Jovel like this room! The light is perfect. I could do a lot here. I say, Arnitage, need ! go anywhere else? Tine tre- mendously in sympathy with this room. What a fool I am! I thought it was a guest room. I though you had dozens of guest rooms. I see now his gaze swept Armitages personal possessions that this is your own. I'll get out-I can rest anywhere His crutch slipped as he turned
 Armitage contemplated him. The fellow was fatigued to the point Of collapse that was undeniable. Yet one knew perfectly well that at sight of the dogs and the bed he had guessed whose room this was.
 By all means, sleep here if you want to-" said Armitage, ejecting the terriers. "Ill clear out fit. There's a bathroom through that door"
 q hadn't imagined your tastes to be so simple" said Mark drop ping, without even a pretenSe of further protest on to the bed. "If you'll have that cupboard moved nearer the door I can set up my easel between the windows"
 "As you like But"
 T don't apologize for causing so much trouble, because I believe that my work will repay you. If I didn't believe it I shouldn't have come here at all"
 At first, on thao evening you came to see me at Kings Barn, I took it that you invited me from some obscure personal liking; but now I have thought it over, and I see that I flattered myself It was my possible talent that intrigued you, wasn't it? Nothing else?"
 Armitage dug his hands into his pockets.
 Put it that way, if you choose. ,"
 You don't put it that way your self?"
 Armitage glared at the carpet. Again, the overwhelming impulse to kick the chap out.
 T have never been so tired be- fore,' whispered Mark and let his head fall back.
 Armitage walked out. He could stand no more.
 He went up the much debated staircase and wandered about, deep in thought. Next to the new stu- dio was Marks bedroom or what was to have been his bedroom. Jacques Malavie Ltd. had seen to that, too. Armitage entered it. Certainly, it was on the effemin- ate side. But then he could have sworn that Mark Lodely would be slightly effeminate.
 Perhaps he was; but if at that moment, it entertained him to de- Thy tito demand bare walls and all old leather chair?
 Armitage picked up the tele- lphone. He gave Malavie's num- Der Presently he was in com- Imunication.
 | Look here. I'm sorry, but the bedroom you did for my friend, next to the studio, is a mistake. Not in the least your fault. l misled you. The general effect is too pretty-pretty. want it lchanged"
 "Oh? Well, I must accept your judgment, of course" came in the labsurd scholarly tones, though ] mil1 cOn feSS that a caco,,d ot+ap, nj