The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-03-07
CHAPTER 48. BARBARA'S SURPRISE

first swimming moment in her mothers room Leila had felt noth- ing emotionally new about it. There had been so little hope, really, that Farrell Armitage would be able to come between them. She ihad not seen him since that day of climax nearly year ago when he had pushed the emerald into her hand, but Patsy Raoul spoke of him sometimes.
 She went up Malavie's dark stairs and into the room where she had to leave her hat. She had taken a cab, and her extravaganza had made her almost the earliest ar rival. She walked through the empty, sunny workr ooms and through a door letter Miss Quen- tin" She knew there was a tele- phone there, and she thought it would amuse her to ring up Bar bara before she left home Wish her luck and all that" s1 But Barbara was not at her ho- jtel; she was here in the big bare room. She leaned, palms down ward, upon a pile of sketches, her pose absorbed and intent, her eyes | blank Ftsit "Oh! Sorryl" said Leila. 4 Barbara started and smiled The sketches toppled and she straight ened them before she spoke. x You're early, Leila All well2"
 "All excellent, thanks If you don't hear glowing reports of my progress, it's only because don't seem to be making any" She paus- ed and added T came in to use your phone in your absence. as a matter of fact"
 Breach of discipline" twinkled Barbara. Good thing I'm here to stop you" They regarded each other easily and pleasantly across the filtered table. aI
 Well, I hope you know what I would have said to you on the phone managed Leila at last. T don't know why it always sounds so much thinner done face to face. But there you are-I wish you happiness Both of you"
 Barbara lifted her head sharp 1 ly. The movement brought it into shadow, and immediately the sil- very gold deepened and darkened, wave upon wave. Her eyes dark ened, too and grew wary. T don't understand you. You speak as though I-I'd chosen"
 Well, according to the paper, you have. Your engagement is announced to Mark"
 But it can't be! I didn't send any announcement to the papers"
 Leila shrugged.
 Well, someone did. Mark, prob ably. You'll have shoals of con- gratulations all day. don't doubt" She turned away, moistening dry lips.
 But" began Barbara She looked suddenly very young, slender, bewildered child in a dark frock. There's a mistake" she inisted. If Mark announced our engagement, he did it for some reason of his own. haven't said I'd marry him."
 But you are going to. Aren't you?"
 Why need I marry anybody? I'm happy as I am"
 You needn't, but you will. You are that kind. Men-Marks kind and Farrell's kind will always want you And they'll badger you until you get desperate and marry-anyone. Malavie, Ltd" The tension relaxed. Barbara colored, glanced toward a door that led into the great mans sane tum
 "Oh, he's thought of it too?" commented Leila shrewdly. Well, there's one thing you'd find out at last what his real name is." Barbara gathered up the pile of sketches and took them to Jacques Malavie. Ltd, who, like herself, had started work at six o'clock that morning. In room even bigger and barer than hers he now sat with the morning papers before him and removed a pince- neg from his scholarly countenance as he asked whether she had fin l ished.
 'Yes. And I think you1l be pleased. But won't come out to breakfast with you after all, if you don't mind"
 You must requah food. Ton had heavy day yesterday, re- membah."
 T know. But I've some private business to attend to this morn ing She pointed to a paper open at the social column, q didn't authorize that announcement. MT Malavie"
 | "No?" Jacques Malayie, Ltd like Leila, was not impressed by the denial. "Ah, well, the day will come nevertheless" He added with genuine dipnjtv seyn,, l,,o,.