The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-04-04
Chapter 20 THE RIFT

HE RlF
 DIG TOM was projecting himsel D from the other side of death into Judith's thought, by cleverly pre- conceived communications
 To Norman, Morton Lampere, his partner. his fathers partner before him, was a person to be admired, al most revered. His word would weigh more than that of young girl. Lam pere was a friend of lifetime. and Norman had known her a compara lively short time.
 Perhaps Norman was right, and she with her self assurance was wrong. Perhaps Lampere was right! She weighed this thought as she looked out on the terrace where the lights which had blocked yellow ob longs on the greensward were sud denly plotted out.
 She would discuss this with him and if he could prove her wrong she would gladly make any concession She prepared for bed, turned on the bed lamp to let him know she was awake. then waited.
 She heard Delphy's goodnight. tl.en Lige's, heard the kitchen door close and voices in the servants cottage. And then she heard Nor man coming up the steps He stopped in his dressing room. then a few moments later went out 5y the hall door, down the corridor to the guest room.
 The door of the guest room opened, the hall lights flashed of The door closed
 Judith turned off the lamp, hot pain cutting through her What had happened to make Norman do such thing? Mathile's laughter echoed i1 her ears, but it was not her in fluence. more likely Lampere's. He was wise in the ways Of women. he knew it would take firm determine tion to keep her from seeking Nor man. and in the end giving in to his wishes.
 She slipped from the bed and went tc an open window. A soft wind faint echo of the previous evenings gale, came in with the breath of l sleeping fields. The servants cot tage was dark square topped with moon icing. The little stream was a trickle of quicksilver among the shale.
 Judith looked it and shuddered She felt as though there were tears in her heart which trickled along lik, quicksilver.
 All of her life she had wanted to belong to someone. Her father. em balmed in grief a, her mothers pass ing. had been companionable. bu she had felt her love for him was more maternal than his was pa ternal Big Tom, in his loneliness had filled this need.
 But Norman she knew if ht were to come in, slip an arm undel her pillow for cushioned rest. ant she were to awaken knowing he wa there, her trust would be throwl to the winds for fear of nights tt come when there would be no pro tecting arc of arm.
 And yet she knew if this hap pened she would hate herself. ant in time turn bitterly on Norman fo causing her to disregard her owl sense of what was right.
 DELPHY, round eyed, brought he D orange juice at the usual hour She surveyed the untouched pillow said nothing. but tucked Judith i with unnecessary thoroughness cor sidering she was about to rise. Ther glass clinking on tray, she stake down the hall to the guest room.
 Judith chose her morning froc with a deliberate intent to charm She had one of yellow linen, en broidered in marguerites, that Nol nan hadn't seen. She put this or brushed her black hair until it shon like lacquer. erased the tell-tal signs of sleepless early hours wit clever artifice, then went for stro ir the garden.
 There were few daffodils bloom ing. Judith studied their iancin heads, hesitated, then regretfull shipped the long stems. Back in tn breakfast room she laid the tab with green grass linen. Bavaria breakfast set of ivory rimm d wit field flowers.
 It was gay. that breakfast tabl The sun slanted in through ope windows and warmed Judith, WI stood thrusting the stems of u l daffodils into an ivory frog. | Upstairs. Norman was splashir | around. slamming doors with earl | morning thoroughness. In u | S~>~~~~~>> >>~~~->~~>~~~>>