The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-04-05
Chapter 21 RETURN

" How did you know I'd left Norman?" inquired Judith guile. lessly.
 Clia shouted. Honey. if you'd worn an electric sign spelling Reno Bound. it wouldn't have shown any plainer. Aside from that. every sheet in town has telephoned to ask your best friend that's me in case you don't know it when you intend divorcing Norman"
 Judith reached for one of Clia's cigarets, lighted it and puffed awk- wardly = mot going to-" she an- nounced, he's going to divorce me-"
 What" Clia sat upright, sur prised for the first time.
 That's why I'm here. to make it easy for him."
 Judith Dale, do you mean to sit there and tell me that Norman has said he intends divorcing you?"
 No. he didn't but the newspaper said"
 Judy. begin at the beginning" She did and when she had com. pleted her story Clia reached for the telephone-"How you ever reached the age of twenty.four without the squirrels stuffing von into some old hickory tree is beyond me yes operator. Glencourl 5N. 320O i. divorce you" she sn!, 4 you poor infant, don't you k N that's what Lampere's after2
 with Norman standing by ,ar he can't touch you .. hello o;l Delphy. this is Miss Clia Is Miscr Norman in :. oh '. oh see. whcng All right. yes. she's here. Delphy. but she'll be back honr in about an hour. Oh yes you will" to the pro testing Judith.
 She slammed the receiver into place. then darted to her clothes closet and in a few moments re. turned. ready for the street-"Come on, we're getting out to Hillendale before it's too late trot along. Where are my car keys, 1 wish someone would invent a car key with bell that rang when you whistled .. oh there they are. right by my purse"
 Now" she said as they threaded traffic. Norman has gone to Gal. weston. He had to be in court at ten o'clock. He left letter for you with Delphy and the poor old woman is nearly frantic" ,p'A' Judith felt her face flush. Had she acted too hastily? But the news paper article surely she couldn't have remained in the house with Norman under the circumstances If you'd read that properly you d have discovered the whole thing came from Lampere," was Clias comment.
 Delphy was on the porch. her wrinkled black face puckered with worry-"Miz Dale. 1 sure is glad you is back, that there telamfoan has been ringin' its fool head off. say. Mig Dale way out in the gar den. leave yo' numba an see she call you"
 "Delphy you're a gclden hearted diplomat" Clia said.
 Delphy questioned the diplomat but she knew the meaning of gold en heart and went off for her in. evitable pot of hot chocolate. "Miz Dale was that white in the face" JUDITH went to her room. Nor mans letter in her hand. Would he say he was through or she slit the envelope.
 Judy, my dear. I'm rushing for Galveston. driving, have to be in court at ten. only court could keep 8 me from finding you and telling you how foolishly you have jumped to conclusions.
 Knowing me, could you think 2 would handle the fight against the Bevins will, with you as defend ant? 1 know how true your mo- tives are, I've never doubted you nor them for an instant. My only concern has been that you see things in their true light and not distorted by even admirable senti- ment
 Mathlle was never sweetheart of mine. merely playmate with whom 1 was constantly thrown be- cause our houses were in the same block, and our families friends. You may not know that it was the friendship of Big Tom for my fa- ther which won my firm the Bevns Construction Company business.
 The Bevnses. Lampere, Mother and myself tried to thrash things out last night but. as far as was concerned, got nowhere Under the present circumstances 1t seems as if 1 must make choice between love and ethics. It isn't easy to leave a firm. founded by ones grandfather. especially when prac- tically all of my money is either in that or In Hillendale. Without the firms backing l don't know that we could carry on with our home.
 didn't C, me near you last night because 1 could not trust myself to think with sanity, if you were in my arms. Try to under