The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-09-18

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 "It wasn't 'arf funny listening to that there radio message last night, and him in the next bed. But Matron' shouldn't lave put no more than just Jimmy RiddellAthose other names was all nonsense. It's Jimmy Riddell he keeps saying. and I'll take my Bible oath to It." fe
 "Now. MT. Giles. I can't stop talk. ing here"
 MT. Giles screwed up his face until it was all wrinkles. 'as ai
 And I'll tell you something else he said too."
 "Something else?" h'ifs "A
 "Um-" said MT. Giles. "Some- thing most uncommon queer, nurse."
 "WellAwhat was it2"
 MT. Giles chuckled 2 a''
 "First he said. Jimmy Riddell,' and then there was something about being clever, and then he said. 'Green-like kids beads' Plain as plain that was. And then off he goes muttering again."
 "nH we'll" said the nurse. q V can't stop talking here. l be- lieve you're just trying to keep me. because you don't want to go out. You're crafty old man. that's what you are-but out you go."
 She pulled the bed away from the wall as she spoke, and taking it by the head, pushed it briskly down the Behind the two red screens the muttering voice went on. Outside, the sun streamed down. e '-,s' la- 2
 Nesta Riddell got out of the car a little way down the road and stood for a moment with her hand on the door. !" asa
 Now, Tom, you'll wait here. and
 if It's Jimmy. and if they'll let him come, I'll come out and tell you" ,
 And if it isn't?" said the man at the wheel. n Heeg fis5 ,ast
 He was so like Nesta Riddell that strangers took them for twins. AS a matter of fact, she was three years the elder and very much the better man. Tom Williams did as he was told. and with no more than some times sulky look, and sometimes a jerk of the shoulders,
 Nesta slammed the door and walked up the road towards the gate. It was going to be really hot. | She had been in two minds about wearing her new blue voile. but in the end she had chanced 1t. For all she knew, 1t might be the last oppcr- tunity she would have. because if this man who had been picked up in l the fog wasn't Jimmy. then 1t was a hundred to one that Jimmy was drowned; and if Jimmy was drown ed, she would have to go into black. She lifted the latch of the gate, pushing it open with a brisk jerky movement. and walked up the gravel path. The garden was bright with autumn flowers. Big heads of pinki and white. and purple phlox stunned l themselves, but the cornflowers and Shirley peoples had been beaten down by the heavy rain and sprawl. ed untidily on the drenched earth.
 Mrs. Riddeli did not look at the | flowers. She walked straight up to the front door, rang the bell. and then waited. with her hands clasped rather tightly upon the red handbag 1 which matched her beret. She was l rather a handsome young woman. with a high color and dark hair that l curled naturally. 4t ssse | Her grey eyes were d httiS too smali and A little too closely set. and there were lines between them, and other lines about her mouth which might spell temper. She wore large
 pearl earrings andlt the latest chokef necklet. also of pearIs-enormoais white ones. They made her throat
 look brown and rather stringy. CHE had rung the bell. but the door
 D stood open. She could see across
 the small lobby and down a long
 white.walled corridor. Two other 1 passages went off to the right and
 left, and in moment fat. rosy.
 checked girl Of eighteen. with g
 white cap and blue print sleeves
 rolled up. came flying round the left
 hand corner. aN a qt e, l Nesta Riadeli began at once. q
 r"I've come about the message or
 the radio" s'a''F
 The girl opened blank round eyes l Mrs. Riddell's brows met in [ | sffaight line. a dark line like l frown. s ys 'a@
 .There was radio message tt | say that man had been picked ul | in the fog"
 1 The rosy girl became rosier. ant
 her eyes rounder. She was desper l ately interested and very nearly in | articulate.
 | She said, "rll tell nurse" and bolt
 ed like a rabbit.
 l Nesta opened her, bag, took ont 1 sheet of paper. and waited. Whei the nurse came. she would know