Daphne stared at the picture in the newspaper. had a vacation for 13 months. He was worn out. his nerves on edga. He needed to get away. At Union Station he met Deke Pease, iris hunting companion, and they boarded the train for Eal stark. At Falstark they shifted to the spur line, and the next night they landed in the backwoods town of River's End. The lodge, much to their astonishment, was nearly filled. There were a dozen society people there from New York There were newspaper men and photographers. Ben was disgusted. "This is as bad as Newport." he said to Deke. "Let's start into the woods first thing in the morning " Deke looked doubtful. "Weather forecast is bad Dig storm coming, tome of this gang were planning on going, but gave up the idea." That evening the society folks held a celebration. There was a lot of drinking and rough housing. Photographers ran around taking pictures of everyone. Ben and Deke retired early, but the noise kept them awake till all hours. Never theless they were up by dawn. They breakfasted, then started out on horseback with old Jake Keith as guide. The snow came just before they reached Jake's cabin. It turned out to be the worst storm of the century The next morning drifts were piled eave-high about the cab in. It snowed for four days. There was nothing for the cabin occu pants to do but sit around and wish it would stop. Thus with time on his hands. Ben found his thoughts running riot. He thought of Daphne and Jim Landon He brooded. His mind became tor tured. Being thus cut off from civ ilization made things worse. He couldn't get out if he wanted to . . Daphne stared at the picture in 1he newspaper. It showed Ben smiling down at a very attractive girl m hunting togs. The caption said that Dr. Ben Jesson was in cluded in the group of society lights who were enjoying the hunt ing season at River's End. Tomor row they were all going into the woods together. Daphne smiled, but the smile died on ner lips. She was thinking of Ben and that attractive girl way off in the woods. People did curious things when civilization was remote. Conventions and pro priety didn't seem to count much. She remembered the send-off she'd given Ben. He'd probably get think ing about it and feel he had the right to act as he pleased. Suddenly Daphne’s hands were cold. She picked up the phone on her bedside table and asked to be put through to the lodge at River's End. The report came back tha: the lodge couldn't be reached b cause of the storm. All communi cation lines were down. Daphne's maid catne in to an nounce that Jim Landon was down stairs. “Tell him I can't see him Tell him I'm ill. Tell him anything" The shrillness of her own voice startled ner. She picked up the paper again .and glared at the pic ture. What if Ben should start com paring this jolly looking girl will his wife? Guiltily she thought how poorly she would stack up. And ii was her own fault. She begat pacing the floor. Life without Bei would be pretty empty. It was nice fooling around with Jim Landon— so long as she had Ben as ai anchor.

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