The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-12-22, Page 10fa<;e w.n . ....................................................Il I..Illi IIIIII6IMIW*,', 4W.1 hvi!WLh'i.LU' "W'/ . r ...i-. io » Jmw «. w+»to% ‘S’W •Wti undfeui"’:'1*w M’Hfi ftrijpcti' He' H-c /hougfit fi’Uvriy, jprt ^'7 fur®. Ail 1,wl wy fet w. fvm 'ttot too &t> if to ujt>e4 ife u»w.. A ttor wigtot to cwJ> tot tog it-ow; % too# to iOIW <*H’<jfiy '<:to»fe Yet 4 to swio. ft must to tori! to tw m'h »fw ■voy^c rt'vyojjrifilv for t>o mw yev- Tito •wtoMto shook Co>er to- aud tfie to stop the ring-' W- “W so -qwtdly fii and out/ Kent “Tto moise K on £to lower deck- A< Icart/' he (Smart/' tot I fvve k,M -S’ wjtfi it blows. ■Obiijgtogiy ri-c wlosrie nearly blew ttoni off the 4c<'fc. Star weakly Ao tfeo railing after it had stopped- ■Mi® iaugldng at her* ®fic straightened at the but to fiad wrn?4 away and waa gazing •as she had d^ne at the nrilitog crowd of people that lined the pier, waving and fcbwtrnff toward those on board- "Mato oat your friends?" he naked mean no one came rne <4f/' His frankly tocred* nfous made her add hastily “I mm from out of town.” That would be it, Kent ihougfit. ’He could see the whole eetupt^An adoring youngster putting her into Ids car, arguing madly ah the way to $to station, trying to get her to wo main home with him- Yet she was right* Anyone with eagerness for life should go everywhere- 'She even en joyed that fogl'mrn above them /fl must introduce myself,” be be- gan. The Tvfiistle drowned his words in a noisy vacuum that now had the prions effect of holding them toge ther. He waited for it to stop, but perversely it prolonged its blast With a gesture Kent indicated his in* ability to speak- -Star nodded, her mouth curled in jaughter. Kent pointed to his uniform, putt* ed the railing, clicked Ids heels toge ther and bowed deeply, Star acMpt- nd the 'mtrodpetion with obvious pJcasum, She pointed to herself, ges tured toward the horizon and then held out her hand, without knowing what he mind was filled with one Bhe's the loveliest person ■seen! "You didn't need to tell •you v/ere,” Star said- when the whis tle finally stopped- “Your uniform is a dead give-away But yon seem — I mean I expected an older man, some* how, in your position/' "I'll apeak to my parents away,” he assured her with gravity. "No, Don’t do that- You're ail right the way you are~*-rea)ly." She pnllexl at her hand, but he held it tightly, "I didn’t quite gatch the name,” he snggesled. "Introductions are always so mumbled, don’t you think? Star laughed joyously, "H: ringham/' she said slowly. ot r/t at just U»Gv lizraT igTXlq; tfo prrtwd CW T.tod tor? I» tor preset *Sw| ^to feet ft tot the tod? -found •'•be ductor very ■too- His wrvvusficss was# tto ©w; ■thought, amply for- life smtsst tore toard stout fes father’s' toafo- fo »w probably his co.sscim'c? .jttet wits troiririirg him. Yet fie to4% *^.vt been so troubled, Star xemmded’ jfiersrif, that fie tod tried fo get to 1 touch with few- Bn fact fie todto be-' ‘■’grayed by even «o ejueb as tfce ftok-J 3er of a® cyeUsfe that fie recognised, j iliCT OW- [ toritops 1 e honestly didn’t know' ■ who sto wasl '-'rire tod to actoow- ]Mge that she would never have w- | ;ogs;:zed fito tod it not been for the ! Maybe to didn’t remember | her. after alb 'Btar stopped in the {passageway as that thought struck •you don’t to;l it gearing you ’ her. It wa^ one thing to be a pensi- ■ less gfifi and another to be a smart j •Star answered i young doctor. He might easily have] *'1 tope forgotten lhe name of tfee small •shy]’ T’hiM fie tod seen years before. But'j ■ ■ she'd make him recall it. !$tar prom-j Used herself. 3to’4 talk about eyery( ,1 single 4eail ©1 Uncle Jrzra’s last ill- ] ness until Joto Kenneth Barrett I i writhed in «3rame- Kent Barrett, to 5 ■jdeed! ■ ] She found foerseff standing in front '[of "a door numbered twenty-seven. 1 [ .fhm glanced at her keytag and read • ’ tfio same number. As she started io I j insert the key in the lock the doox | ' opened easily and she found herseli j I staring in a small cabin that looked j J as if a cyclone had struck it- | ! A great wardrobe trunk -stood up-| J ended and open in front of the foh- J ’ length mirror. Again Star regretted j J her shabby “steamer” of other daysj ! Two suitcases were on the floor; a • slum case stood open on th© single ; chair, Qne bunk was littered with ! books, a huge box of chocolates, a hat, a pair of fur-lined overshoes and ; an empty flower box, A corsage of ■ ordnds hung limply over the edge of ' the washbowl, A mink coat was ly ing in a lumpy heap on the other bunk, ^tar, sure that she was in th© wrong cabin, glanced up again at the number. It was certainly twenty seven. "fjlrnt that door,” an angry voice said fiom under th© mink coat, At the same moment ^tar saw a head of blond curls and odd slanting ©yes of gray-green peering at her. Th© ; girl looked like an angry kitten, but | her frowwn disappeared when she saw th© intruder, | “.Oh, I’m sorry, I thought it was : the stewardess, Ar© you Star Sand- ] ringham?” "Yes,” Btar shut th© door and hesi- I t'antJy stepped over a suitcase, "You; are Gloria Churchill ? The purser told me we would be together. But there must be some mistake, I don't see my luggage at all,” "Ohl" Gloria looked slightly em barrassed, but she smiled sweetly, "I’m afraid thats my fault, I had the porter shove your trunk under the [bed.” Star leaned over and found that j this was true, Her trunk was there, 1 and she decided that there it had bet ter remain. There seemed to be no room for it elsewhere, "Horry about your bunk, Just toss those things anywhere," Gloria lean- , ed back on her pillow, drawing the j fur coat up around her, “I'm freez- Kent took it did. His thought? I've ever me who right mode ....?" I 'Btar Sand-1 »Tp,. a !JI h M> slllv nams-pwlwp, 1’4 tetter ^ling t7,'tob.TsTartM to wk ami H just gave it up for a bad job, I’ll i wait until we get to a warmer dim- | ate.” I Star, gingerly clearing her bunk so that sjm could have a place to sit down, was slightly upset by this In- | formation, $Im bad always been me- ! ticulouriy neat about her personal .’ possessions, The thought of trying I io jnoye aroimd or gel dressed! in the it" "Ito, let me try/' lie interrupted .^ujckly. "S, as in sweet; 7", as in A, as in grfgelie; R, as "As in ridicnok^ig/' ;Star suggested, efieeks deeper in color. Kent drupp/4 her hand, His. -wnt up in Captain pass'mg-grinned, saying, “Il , ... Kww make toe etonge tor| ^>f?fyS;On was extreme* Med fcnuwmgly as tojly io her, She jnM a tto bridge, Ms stoefcy 0Ht of the fn/r/.y hhtnkci spring grow in it in the waste basket, Kent | Gloria studied her with one1 eye washing Kent, saw a euriowsj^ decMed to change her tactics. Avmm oyer bis face, 1??e shabby trunk she bad jtog* was rix? puzzled io think of roommate to he a drnb meek ri.14 | person who might he nmeftii when , so potoe* I th^ght thaq dressing. But this tranquil Stops’ captams always shouted with the extraordinary damped aromid in a ragef she said. was not the type to take kindly demuredy, | fa being patronised, 7'lwre v/as an ow can too, when he ^^hndependsm-e in her emanner, that Kext said with conyndioih | GMria knew was not ftfihitmed, I dun-7 doubt it, < aptain/ | laughed and 5tar smiled shyly Kept turned fo tor with a shocked response, Gloria’s estimate would have startled her had she known to ,^tar had all but forgotten the new eloth.es tshe was wearing, the bobbed hair. i?be did' not realize that breathless wonder oyer the voyage had given her eyan new sparkle and tmtehed her rheeks with a splash of color, film remembered only a quiet little person from Milford, who was lnmgry for frlemlsliip, “I’ll help you unpack, if you like/' she »ald impulsively, “foot’d, really Ilka to so your things, I’ve known ■x?xpressfo» wl gkmced guiltily dt the j figure if hat tod tot parsed- Timm ab-' ruptuly, in*, enjoyed Star’s mistaht’, “TI/atT wry Battering/' he grin- peri. "Ito I don’t think yon /‘aught the mom either. I’m the ship's to- tnto'Kenit Barrett. Bhall I spell it?" "DonT bother,” Star’s face Mid* itot its frfrwdtom, Sim seem* from him, although she iijfa. >to "Let me try, K, ns > if..’’sit, 1^,77 V L-f-'iX-'i ■■ ' '-<:3 .'/’K'Ch vb 5>. WLWHAM Af^VAKCE-TIMES .\-KasKS;; ^W“k/J She yawned <©xpr©sswto *Fri©sds wM par- Giav sigbed-. M o®3y she tod Jrtcsds fo give parties1- K -ohly she could say toat she tod been wril four okfock ttot mortwng, 'the had »p <con-. fidences t-o es-change, so sto nodded ufiderswdisigly and #wk off to* tou and coat. Tten ste stretefeed ■out on tte fewk and wriggled her-toes to steer delight. Tte boat was moving!! New stop Haiti! ’ Gloria, cuffed up film a kitten un-'! der tte warm for coat, was sfightly’ puzzled- Why was rich girl ®o retie-; m? It never occurred to ter toat? Star had spent ter first nervous night5 in New York" behind door that was < [ locked and barricaded by a chair, j itfiat there bad been no going-awayj parties for £iar, j *’I didn't see-you on deck/’ Gloriai iwent on, determined to find out all; she could about tiffs silent beauty, < '“Did you come aboard tte last min-j ,ute?" ■! “Oh, noiN Star laughed a little, re-} rnembering how she ted dashed. • breathlessly t<n the pier — an hour' ahead of time, “toI was up on the boat deck?" ' Gloria became intensely curious.-! No one to see her off? Was she run-'! ning a-way from someone — or to; someone? Gh© glanced over at tte; <qu;©t form on th© other bunk and! thought she detected a slightly ■ heightened color in one .damask "Bo!” sb© said harshly, “Th© boat ■ deck must have been rather chilly'—; unless you weren’t alone!” ! “I was with with the ship's doc tor — Doctor Kent Barrett,” Star .ad mitted, Gloria was shocked into silence, So that tvas why Kent hadn't called up! Thai was why he hadn't been upset when she wrote she wouldn't marry i him! Gloria v/as furiously angry now — where with herself or Kent she did not know, hS© had thought sh© could gauge to the minute how long a min could be kepi dangling and when he would be fed up with vague promises, Before this, when she had changed her mind Kent Barrett had come nmning, pleading with her to recon sider, to give him another chance, She had counted upon prolonging the scene this time until he agreed tp es tablish a land practice, But he had never even called up! And of all the reasons Gloria had thought of for his silence it had never occurred to her that it might be another girl. If this was the girl, then probably Kent had been delighted to be re- ■ I leased.-- But he wasn't free yet. If he | thought she was just going to Jet him ! walk out of her life, he was mistaken, She would clear up this little situa tion right now. “Do you know Doctor Barrett well?” she asked sweetly, "I I used to know him years ago, tol wouldn't have recognized him." Star confessed, A childhood romance, Gloria sur mised bitterly. Wei), it wouldn't be resumed if she could help it. And she Was quite confident that she could help it, so there was no trace of resentment in her tone when she spoke, "I know him rather well, too," she said with ari air of shyness. “You see perhaps I shouldn’t tell you this, but I want you to, know, we’re engaged. We—this is, this was going to be our honcynmon-™this Christmas cruise.” Sim had expected Star to be sur prised, but she had no idea the girl’s reaction would be so ungarded. Star’s blue eyes looked enormous as she sat up abruptly and stared at her roommate, Gloria smiled with satis faction. She had hung a large “Keep Off" sign on Kent Barrett, and this type of girl would undoubtedly ef face herself, “You-—you're going to be married," Star was unable to bide her dismay. "We were/’ Gloria said 'Cautiously. "We had a little tiftonotbing scri- ous-m-but he doesn’t know I'm on the boat yet, I thought it would be a nine surprise for him, JJke—Hke a Christmas present/' "Yes, of course. What a lovely ideal" filar sank hack on her pillow again coihsidermg. It would seem odd to tell someone she had met only a few mhmto ago a lot of disagreeable family history, But a nice girl like Gloria tmghl to be warned that John Kenneth Barrett, who now called himself Kent her bps curled cmi- templuously at the thought was far from being the charming eonsid* ©rate person lie appeared to be nt first fiiglit. She herself had been fool* ed before she identified bin), Into thinking him most nt tractive. But a* man who would go off and desert his father certainly wouldn't good husband. Perhaps have a chance, to tell whole story. Gloria, however, was ■ make a Inter she'd Gloria the but Be Shad left little doubt m -ter aumd Chai at w fiwt a pleasant MU'* prise. Chapter ’VI Tto door -of -ihe 4?aton ppened Sy. Bwii sg'iri® Sooked twaM to to, aw one was In righi. j "Gbosts'!’'’ Star, said, lar.giijrg. Ttori# frwe an immediate cpntradie- (tivn. i " mo a voice! denied vehemently. K, Stuart s Underwood, Third.” j' Star peered down at the boy pick-., tos way around the toggage. His I etoMy knees eou-d scarcely squeeze' between Gioria’s huge bags. "Stuart 1 Gf «ourse you aren’t a> ,ghost/’ Star agreed. "Bui wouldn't; 5t be Jun if there were ghosts on this 5 ship?*’ I Stuart considered this earefully’ and derided against it. |"No/’ he said; eyring the box of chocolates'.! “Ghosts are dead people, I’d rather; you jell me about live people od maybe people that could be alive/’' fie amended, recoBecring that Star; told engaging stories that were ad-’ mittedly not true. I "Qh. -stop that silly chatter/’ Gloria j said crossly, “Go back to your cab-: in, little boy, and let us alone/’ ’ Star recognized the storm slgnafei that appeared at once in Stuart's’ brown eyes. She tried to avert cat-1 astroph e, • "This is Stuart Underwood/’ she! explained, "He and I were discuss-; ing airplanes in the pursers office a; little wfiiile ago/' "Don’t encourage him/’ Gloria said sharply. “He’ll be a musance all through, the trip. Why don't people keep their brats home?" A well-placed kick of Stuarts wide- toed shoe sent the box of chocolates flying in a sticky hail over the en tire cabin. Gloria and Star bounded out of their bunks at the same mo ment. "You little fiend!” Gloria shrieked, trying to reach him, "Stuart! You must pick up those candies,” Star tried to keep her voice calm'. "No gentleman would do a thing like that.” “Arc they yours?” Stuart paused on the threshold of the bathroom, "It makes no difference whose they are , , /' “It does too , , . make a difference. If tneyr'e her® I'm glad I kicked 'em 'cause she's a mean old — nastly old” As Gloria’s outstretched hands rea ched toward him Stuart stepped nimbly into the bathroom and slam- ed the door. At the same time Gloria -—caught off balance—reached, for her trunk. It tipped with her and toge ther they crashed to the floor, Glor- oia’s scream was matched by Stuart’s howls of delight, or defiance, on the other side of the door. Star flung two suitcases out of her way and knelt beside her roommate, “Are you hurt?” she asked anx iously, "Oh, I'm so sorry.” A demoniacala shriek from the bathroom prevented any’ reply, but there was a sharp rap and the door of the corridor opened abrutly, Bar ton Underwood gazed with evident astonishment at the overturned trunk and the two girls on the floor. Stuart —- suspecting that reinforcements for the girls had arrived, stopped his screams. Instead he began to chant clearly: “Catty-face can't get me I Catty-face can't get'me!" f” Gloria raised her eyes slightly to see a pair of heavy English shoes topped by rough tweed. She moan ed softly and was instantly lifted up and set gently on Star’s bunk. She studied the man with pleased sur prise. His keen £ray eyes were solic itous and warm; his crisp black hair had a light dusting of gray that was most becoming, He looked as if he was used to command *— and used to being obeyed, He said, as Star had, “Are you hurt?” Gloria caught her underlip between even white teeth in a way that she knew was effective, Her head still rested against his arm, “Shall J. call the doctor?” Barton Underwood continued, alarmed. Both girls reacted instantly. “No don't do that, straightened at once. 'VS he cd she “Gloria ther,” "Yes, trifle unhappily, ' “Gloria Chtirchill, Mr, And I’m Star Sandringham,” Barton Underwood nodded and said anxiously, “Vm terribly sorry, Mbit Sandringham, It’s all my fault, Yon sec, I haven't been with the boy shice**»fllnco his mother died. He's been living with my two sisters, I find It difficult la manage him and I don’t want to seem to be loo harsh, He had his heart set on having yon tell him a story, and finally I agreed that he could come look for you, I didn’t realize he would raise such a commotion,” He lopked helplessly fttouml the wrecked cabin, “Stuart’s a darling/' Star said very ,B“ “ ' lome. Probably iB himself to get ■ i live gayly *•* happily ** advcwffirouii- I ly " ! "TfiasT rigid,” Coates, as he ; spoke, bad a udslcm of tte private i capital his mywoi weeded totog in- j to .bis lap in a most agreeable way. i A lovely girl who bad just inherited j a fortune * - be at his mo>t attentive i be&t , . tropic nights when even the i most conservative must feel the thrill ; of romance . , It was a perfect set- .up. Surely he need look no further : for financial assistance. "If you'll get your wrap/' he sug gested, “we can go out on deck for a while/’ i Gloria was amused- at Coates' sud den Interest in Star, Moreover, she felt rather pleased that her roommate had. made such an impression; she ! needed to concentrate on Kent She rose when Star and Coates had left ! and slipped her arm lightly but de- t finitely through Kent’s. She could have laughed aloud at his outraged expression as they walked toward the ■ door, "Pardon me, Doctor Barrett?” Barton Underwood was standing at the head of the stairs as they came up. He nodded briefly to Gloria, "This is Mr. Underwood, Kent,” she introduced them. “He has a dar ling little boy, Stuart. You’ve prob ably seen him around. Kent had not only seen him but had heard of him from the room Steward, He raised an eyebrow at Gloria who had never before to his knowledge shown an interest in children. “It’s about Swart,” Barton explain- 4 ed. “He seemed upset when the stew ardess put him to bed and he’s fever ish now. I imagine it’s nothing more than the strange food — perhaps a touch of seasickness. But I’d like you to look him over, if you will.” ’He led the way and the little group proceeded to what was known as the “bridal chamber.” It cost twice as much as the other staterooms, but Kent thought Underwood didn’t care about that, even if he knew it. The name of Barton Underwood was syn onymous with wealth and power, Kent went Jn first and Underwood stood aside to let Gloria pass. Stuart greeted them with a blood curdling shriek and reached for the nearest object — a clothes brush his father had left on the bedside table. Kent pushed Gloria aside and took the weapon away. “Catty-face! Catty-face!” Stuart screamed in a rage. * “The child’s delirious,” Gloria said - angrily. “Stop that, son,” Barton command ed. For answer Stuart kicked, off all the bedclothes and squirmed like an eel in. the young doctor’s grasp. “Here, old man,” Kent admonish ed, “Keep still a minute and let’s see where the trouble is.” Stuart turned a deep red and op ened his mouth for another scream. Kent turned to Gloria and nodded to ward the door. When she had gone Stuart relaxed. With a child’s in stinctive knowledge he realized that the man who held him so gently and firmly was not so easily influenced as his father — now mopping his brow in one corner of the ijoom. “I — I hope it isn’t serious,” Und erwood said apprehensively. Kent laughed. “Nothing a good sleep won’t cure,” he said. “But I think Stuart has something on his mind. Now, young fellow, what’s the trouble?” 1 Stuart settled himself comfortably. “Wanna story,” he explained. Barton, rummaging through the bureau drawer for pyjamas, said ap- t ologetically, “I think I know what he wants. Miss Sandringham—” • A timid knock interrupted, him. Star herself opened the door. 1 “Gloria said tSuart was ill,” she said anxiously. “Is there anything I- can do?” She had thrown a purple velvet cape over her shoulders and her eyes seemed almost the same color. “Story?” the boy asked eagerly. Star nodded. “But while I’m tell-- ing it,” she said firmly, “you must let Doctor Barrett put a little glass tube* ill your mouth. And if he wants you to do anything else like putting out your tongue or staying quiet must do exactly as he says, Is it a bargain?” ■» Stuart nodded indifferently, his eyes on Star’s face as she settled herself jn one of the chairs. Kent en* vied his opportunity to. gaze at her with open admiration and? he en vied, her her tender thoughtfulness^ SO different m its effect froiu the dis trust he seemed to inspire, Barton, looking vastly relieved, found the small pajamas and tiptoed front the room. 'bun a,-story any itoe/' | Mcward pccj'cd to swxtouriy.i '‘Beg pardon, jsto fed as anyone tout?? Shall I '.call Doctor Barrett?” j ■"Nol” said Gloria and Star Upgeih-i -er. f "Ypu ®a» firaigjJtea -flip this to/’ Uadmywd -said shortly. go up on ideck/’ ■“■Catty-lace can't get «»el! Catty- { fee® eati’t get Kiel” chanted Stuart' with new fervor- Barton Underwood j looked helplessly toward Star. ; "You two go ahead,” Star -said^ quickly. "I’ll talk to Stuart and bring; him later. Please/’ she fo&isted as’ Underwood hesitated. "I don’t feel too well/'’ murmured' Gloria. She awooped up her mink! coat and tucked her arm into Bartoni Underwood’s. Reluctantly fie led her; from the cabfo. I The -steward,, a refund little mamp; moved about the cabin in, a business-1 like way pj-Ckmg up the trunk and- sweeping chocolates together. His; face was set an heavy lines ©f disap-! proxal at such goings-on. Stuart, I looking like an angel just roused I from heavenely sleep, cautiously op-j ened the bathroom door. A giggle -! •escaped Star before she could sup-i press to ; The steward glanced up in pained > surprise and Star '.laughed openly., ’ "Beg pardon, Miss. But if you was to lake the boy up on deck I could! get through sooner/’ he pointed out I coldly. With a great effort Star managed j to control herself. Stuart, almost asj astonished as the ” steward, -decilely I put his hand in hers as she went to the door. * i "Why're you laughing?” he asked! curiously. "Because I’m so happy," Star an swered. * 4. if. -if * Star tried to hurry through the narrow jjassageway, but she thought ruefully that she certainly hadn’t ac quired her sea legs yet. Both hands were engaged in holding her billow ing chiffon skirt away from the sides of the boat; it took ail her sense of balance to avoid lurching uncomfort ably from one wall to the other. Gloria, in a revealing evening frock of black followed more sedately, but the roll of the boat caught her off guard every now and then, "Oh, dear, we’re so late!" exclaim ed Star, "The better to make an impressive entrance, my dear.” But Star would have preferred to watch everyone else enter. It was going to be awkward enough to meet Kent Barrett again without having the whole dining room looking on. Gloria had insisted that they sit at his table, but he had not been there last night. In fact, they had, eaten in almost solitary glory and then watch ed the movies for a hour with eyes that drooped in spite of themselves. Finally they had gone off, yawning, to their stateroom. Kent Barrett had not appeared, Nor had she seen him today. Some of the passengers had been ill, one of the stewards told her when she commented on the deserted decks; others preferred to stay in their cab ins the first day out, Gloria had seen Kent, she acknowledged, butt she had not seemed to want to talk, about the meeting, and Star had not questioned her further. Star had looked forward to this “get-together” dinner with great ex citement and had started to? get ready long before the dinner gong sound ed. But Gloria fussed and fretted about the wrinkles in her. dress and the fact that she had forgotten her, blue mascara until Star, was in a fev er of impatience. Yet she: could sym pathize with Gloria,,' too-. It must have been hard for her if she had surprised* Kent Barrett without pleas ing him. At last Gloriai had declared she was ready and. it was eight-thirty before they were in sight of the bril liantly lighted dining salon,, t The dining room, steward came to meet them as they appeared in .the big double doorway. Star looked’ at the laughing chattering group with wondering eyes.. In her imagination she had pictured, the sparkle of glass and silver, the soft music. But she had not thought of the smart offic ers' uniforms,, of the lovely frocks And gleaming jewels of the women, She had not known that there would be paper hats for everybody, and noise makers — tike New Year’s Eve. Most of all she had not been able to im agine herself a part of it; she could scarcely believed that it was her blue satin sandhis stepping onto the pol ished floor, “Good evctfmg,” ho steward bowed deeply. “This way( please,” Star was so excited she did not see the instant tribute paid to her grace ful figure, her bright joy tn every thing about her, But Gloria, one step behind, was acutely aware of the ad miring glances and whispered com ments at the tables as they passed. Barton Underwood glanced *up with a smile and Gloria was warmly res ponsive. She had found him a little dull yesterday afternoon, but after all he might bo uselul if Kent con* tinned to provo difficttlt Kent had I1i| Men wo'filtM- to- toe.Iw on bo^rd, „.htwiL'li-jlirtii'^itri ikiliilMiibliihii/llllifth'ilihn 1 n 1 IhiAm 'Wii: Gloria just stumbled,” Star hop* hadn't sounded too heartless. I believe this is Stuart’s fa* admitted a Underwent ........., .........„........... i^ytcllsturbttd mt* I by Star’s reaction, She .smiled to her- iCTuT Chapter VII The men were standing as Gloria and Star anumunefl. an apology and 'W-ellj rifoped into ttelr’swats .at tte dinner lahle. Star found tersrif at Kent's left; Gloria was at Ibis right- A strange ?nan whom Star had not seen before sat .next tv Gloria, Ttere were two vacant places She dweovered later that they belonged to a Mr, and Mrs, IsvjjDgsiPxu Gloria was looking at the thin dark-eyed man .next .ftp ter with open astonishment “Surprise!” lie said, bis .eyes twink ling with amusement *' "You know Miss Ctarclwll?’’ Kent mg.uj.red sharply, “Jack and I met at the Whitmans/’ ■Gloria explained "Then you have only to* meet Miss Sandringham/’’ Kent said smoothly, "This is Mr, Coates, who will be with us as far as Kingston, He is io es tablish a museum in the West Indies. This is the first field Coates nodded. "And Sandringham, who is complete ■cruise.” Star knowledgement. “I hope you’re a good sailor," said Coates, without much interest. “The Caribbean is rather choppy this time of year. Even last night had me down." “I’m having such a good time I hardly notice, and I’m actually hung ry tonight," Star said savagely. "Kent, what shall I eat?" Gloria asked. "I haven't Star’s desire for food at all, but I suppose I should try something.” Kent answered almost rudely, “Eat whatever you like. You don’t need a doctor to tell you that.” He turned abruptly to Star. "Are you enjoying the trip, Miss Sandringham?” Star caught her breath; she had .scarcely hoped that he would give her a chance to make herself known so soon. “It’s more fun than I ever imag ined it could be,” she said truthfully. "You see I’ve lived in a little inland town. It was Milford,” she said look ing at Doctor Barrett squarely, "Have you ever been there?” “It seems to me I have.” Kent’s frowning consideration was perfect, she thought scorfifully. “Wasn’t it about ten years she, demanded. Kent seemed surprised. George, I believe it wasl How did you know. Star smiled with satisfaction. At least she had made him admit that much. Gloria watched her shy little roommate with growing interest. So —Star remembered Kent, but Kent had forgotten Star! Well, there was no point in worrying about a rom ance as completely dead as that, she decided, turning .with more interest to CoateS. “Uncle Ezra and I often thought of taking this trip together,” Star went on,.finding her story harder to tell than she had imagined it would be. “But,” she sighed, “he wasn’t well the last few years.” “Ezra? What a funny old-fashion- ed name,” Gloria commented. “I don’t think so,” Kent Barrett objected. “As a matter of fact, it’s been a familiar name in for many years.” “That’s odd.” Star's faster as she approached of her story, “I name was the same as yours — rett.” Kent's control was perfect, you suppose .we’re related?” “We couldn’t be related in case,” she pointed out. really a niece, you know.” “I’m glad,” Kent said simply and hurried on, “is your uncle with you?’ “He died ing for his burned into fused. “Oh, I’m so sorry, “‘You must find it your uncle.” “He was a dear, Star said warmly. If Kent intended to act as if he did not know what she meant, she would make him listen. “But he did have an odd trait. He wanted to be thought poor add de pendent. It wasn’t- until after his death that even I knew he was real ly tremendously wealthy/’ She flushed a little as she told the falsehood, but her sense of guilt was immediately overcome by a feeling of triumph as she saw Kent Barrett’s face. He looked as if he could scarce ly believe his ears, as if she had shocked him by mentioning money. Star hoped he was feeling sorry now that he had stayed away from home so long. Her remark might not have been in the best taste, but she had at least told John Kenneth Barrett what she wanted him to believe —» that Bara Barrett^ son had lost a fortune by ignoring his father, “Are you going to travel a bit now?” Jack Coates was leaning for ward with suddent interest, “You must be tired of living quietly.” ”T am/' Star agreed, frf want to trip. Right?” this 5s Miss making the smiled in ac- ago?” “By our family i heart, beat the climax 'because Uncle, Ezra’s Bar- $“Do any “I wasn’t just a month; ago—call* son.” Star’s blue eyes, his.and he did. look con- he,- stammered.' looiely without sweet person, you Chapter Vlli Changing Stuart’s pajamas, and re* assured that his first diagnosis was correct, Kent found himself listening with the boy to Stuart’s story that people the cabin with the glorious figures of fancy, Kent fastened the last pajama but ton and then slipped his arm around the child, pilowing his head comfort ably on one shoulder, Swart’s lids drooped. Star’s voice became softer