The Daily Alaska empire., 1934-03-31
Chapter IT NEW RIFT

HE HSai oFSl' uiShSS odCh III lhS kitchen, Norman found an old scarlet dressing gown, dug in it's pockets for pipe and pouch, then filling and lighting the pipe sank into the divan.
 Judith, at a gestured invitation, curled into the circle of his free arm, wide eyes on the flames shoot ing up throughathe oak logs. Out side. twilight was moving in. cold spring wind in it's wake. The leaf less arms of the nearest tree rubbed fretfully against the house, the fire crackled-"Happy?" inquired Nor man. contentedly.
 Perfectly"
 wish this could go on forever" !" he unused. mo more outside influ- ence. Sounds archaic, maybe. but believe there's a primitive need in every man for a home of his own; y'know. the kind of need that forces him to go out and make good in business like"
 Like the caveman in the forest made good with his billy club?" in quired Judith.
 Judy. you're laughing at me-"
 "No I'm not. I'm just thinking how nice it is to be your particular woman, to say nothing of living in such cave"
 "I like this cave too," he said, boyishly possessive.
 She knew he had had but little home life; as Clia had said. Plenty of house and nobody in it."
 He settled back again. and then into their peaceful moment came the whirr of the telephone. Judith. not wanting to listen. couldn't help hearing few words and was ready for something unpleasant by the time he returned
 Jude" under the brave scarlet coat his shoulders were sagging. 'I forgot to tell you. Lampere has called a meeting of stockholders and the board of directors for the company. tomorrow at three. He wants you there"
 She nodded. She remembered dimly that Poppy Neville was giv- ing a one o'clock luncreon and she had promised to help. Would she have time to change? She shouldn't go to such meeting in a ruffled silk suit and Dolly Warden hat.
 Judith" Norman interrupted her thoughts. "Pd promised myself wouldn't discuss this Bevins mat ter with you, but you're my wife and I can't let you go to that meeting unprepared. want you to know what other people know.
 "Judy-girl. I wonder if you real ized that Big Tom had been losing his mind during the last few months of his life; in fact that he had a serious brain aff1iction at the time he drew up that new will?"
 JUDITH jumped from the encir- J cling haven of her husbands arm.
 Norman" she cried.
 "There, Judy. don't take 1t like that. It was bound to be a shock to you, l know. but I thought it was better for me to tell you than some one else"
 Norman" she repeated, this time brokenly.
 "Yes dear, it probably came from sort of belated sun-stroke. You remember how we suffered on that trip? Why. healthy as am. there were times when l nearly went under. It seems Big Tom stood up while he was actually on the job. but the moment he got back home where he could relax, the whole thing came down on him like ton of brick"
 What do you mean?"
 "If you'll remember, Judy. he had slight stroke the day after his re- turn. From then on he began to grow queer. Everybody in the legal department noticed what's the matter?"
 Judith stood before him. eyes mar rowed. body rigid with emotion.
 "So that's what they're saying!" she began in the low voice Norman had come to recognize as one of anger "the .. the cads. Listen. Nor. man Dale. you go to Lampere and tell him he's the lowest kind of a liar there Is; the kind who will try to destroy the reputation of man who can't defend himself"
 Judith. will you listen to req, sou9"