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Home My WebLink AboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-12-22, Page 11WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES few minutes they sat on There goes the he’d sleep located their own Stuart, that her warm lips had rested! air that was at variance with their 'against his own cheek. The impulse i youth,she whole i reverie. It A sailors railing, soirie - attire; routine Mrs. swift- was no protest from her however, Stuart was sound like a frag- above the gazed at the But nothing Jenkins’ ip- look so And he ’ Gloria said whistle. We NO! There ain’t no man Tell them to go on or the pirates!” nipped Star’s arm and drew to the railing. “I forgot to ” she whispered hurriedly. let me do that.’ fingers worked “Men are all thumbs like this, especially so often Jenkins keeps a just so I’ll feel said authoritatively, all right?” asked Mis. she 'it’s the a sailor.” Mrs. Jenkin:’ and the taking photographs, ridiculous the whole and deeper until finally, aa she brought the story to a peaceful end ing it was only a whisper. There audience, asleep, For a without moving, Star watching this man she thought so despicable. He was holding the child gently, as if he felt the same pity for him that she knew. Carefully, he slipped off the bed and straightened Stuart so that he would sleep more comfortably. Kent, glancing up, caught Star’s eye. “He’s asleep, but—” he hesitat ed —. <fwhy don’t you kiss him good night anyway? I, think better for it.” She passed him lightly, rant breeze, and bent sleeping boy. Her lips brushed the child’s cheek. Stuart did not waken, but he stirred and smiled. As she stood with Kent in the pas sageway outside Star was smiling too but a little tremulouslyt “He’s so little and he's fighting so hard to "be grown-up. I don’t believe he's ever really been petted or loved,- and children need that far more than a lot of modern nonsense.” Kent nodded. He could not trust himself to speak. He was still trying to calm the disturbing emotions that had overpowered him back there in the cabin. He could have sworn, ev en. though he saw her bending over “You p&n have it,’’ Gloria said crisply. “It wasn’t very beautiful for Elsie Cattrell, The man she was go ing to marry was on that plane. He had just got a divorce and was,fly ing to meet her? “No wondpr she wants to be all alone.” “That’s silly. No man is worth it,” Gloria answered briskly; then hastily amended, “unless you’re terribly in love with him, of course.” “As you are with Doctor Barrett?” “As I am with Kent, softly better get this, over.” On deck passengers were lined up against some laughing at their others waiting for to be over. When they had lifeboat it was to find the large fussy Mrs,. Jenkins and her small timid hus band with a young couple Gloria had noticed only this morning, sitting passively in deck chairs, Star had commented on their apparent indiff erence to everyone else. The man had already adopted the casual sports attire he evidently considered, prop er for a cruise, his prominent Adam’s apple was now exposed above a wine colored sweater. The girl dressed with meticulous care in frocks that looked as if she had just removed the price tags. Both had a world-weary Gloria her over tell you, “That’s the honeymoon couple who are supposed to sit at our table, only they’ve never been there. r Mr. and Mrs. Livingston, I think the name is. She’s been seasick all the way so far.” Mrs. Livingston did indeed look like anything but^a happy bride. hSe stood limply against the railing, her husband beside her, and deck with a fixed stare, was proof against Mrs. sistent friendliness. “I know just how yo-u feel, to take her in his arms and hold her tightly was so strong that he had been bereft of all reason and logic. Even now he did not know what to do. The girl did not even like him, Kent told himself grimly. The tend erness that made her lovelier than ever was for Stuart. Soon her sweet ness and gentleness would be hidden under the mysterious probing manner she seemed to reserve especially for him. Thre was no reason why she should like him, Kent though humb ly as theyz made their way forward toward the saloon. He had nothing | to offer a g wealth and charm and beauty. Yet same thing I get when I eat oysters. thPi-e was no reasoning awav this ‘ They don’t seem to sit right, some- I I I_ i gorgeous creature of was assuring the bride now, i i < 17 . , * nrt 4-rv T rrz~i T 4. WCclXUl CUIU A VI ~ ------------ ------------- there was no reasoning away this ‘ They don’t seem to sit right, fever that had taken possession of . him, because it did not seem found ed on what she was or what she had , or how she looked.’ It was as if her very presence generated a current he could not understand and whose pow er he was only beginning to realize. “Don’t go in there,” he exclaimed impulsively. Through the door they could s.ee the bridge tables and hear the laughing comment of the players. "Come outside instead.” For a brief moment he thought she j would consent. But then, as he had expected, her manner changed. She shook her head. “Mr. Coates is waiting for me.” “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you' apart.” He had blurted it out before he thought. ■She had every reason to resent his tone. But she said only, with a faint surprise, “Thank you, sir. With your permission, then,” and left him alone. * * • ♦ * “Do 'they have to make a life belt revoltingly ugly?” demanded Gloria. “For that matter, do they have to have a lifeboat drill? If the ship goes down I’d rather swim than appear in one of these.” Star la-ughed in spite of herself. Her roommate did look atrocious in the bulky thing and she made it no better by tying the tapes the wrong way. “They don’t even have sizes in the darned things,” Gloria continued to wail. “They give me the same size life belt as yours, and you’re a good two inches taller.” “Everyone looks just as bad,” said Stad. “And after all we only wear them a few minutes while they have the boat drill.” “The picture of what I look like in this will linger on — probably for a lifetime,” Gloria said grimly. To Star, it seemed a pity that Gloria should waste so much time worrying about how she looked. There was so much to see and do! It didn’t really matter whether or ijot one looked perfectly turned out. She herself thrilled each time” she put on one of the new outfits she had brought, but once oil deck she never thought again of her appearance. "What makes Miss Cattrell so un happy, do you think?” she asked, to change the subject. “Oh, I’ve heard all about that wo man.” Gloria’s eyes sparkled with en joyment of this tidbit of gossip. “Do you remember that terrible plane ac cident about a. Week before we left?” Star remembered it vividly. It seemed like another life — that cold wintry day she had hurried back to the lonely little house and eaten some bread and cheese for supper. She had opened, her newspaper to the photograph of a frightful monster of twisted steel that had crashed on some lonely countryside, “I had the oddest feeling about that” she said now to Gloria, was horrible, I know, yet it was ra ther beautiful in a way, too, .To die flying !”• ; . how—” The bride turned a shade paler, and I Star came forward quickly. “I guess we’re all in the same ' boat,” she smiled at Mrs. Jenkins. “Who is the officer with us?” Mrs. Jenkins bridled and looked at her with astonishment. She could not see what had been in the simple ques tion to make Mrs. Jenkins act in , such an extraordinary fashion. But the lady from Ohio had evidently found her query a source of amuse ment. “Isn’t she the one?” she said to Mr. JenkinS, who smiled thinly in res ponse. “As if she didn’t know? The minute I set foot on this boat I said to Mr. Jenkins — didn’t I Willy? — those two were meant for each oth er. Those are exactly the words I -us ed. Anybody with her eyes in her head .” “What in the world are you talk ing about?” demanded Gloria. Mrs. Jenkins favored her with a disapproving stare. She drew herself up like a drum major. “Miss Sandringham asked me what officer was to be in this boat,” she retorted. “I was just have a little fun with her because she’s pretending not to know. Of course it’s your ypung man,” she added to Star. “My young man?” Star echoed blankly. Gloria, quicker than her roommate, looked murderously at the buxom matron before her. “Do you by any chance mean that Doctor Barrett, will be with us?” she asked. , “Yes. Doctor Barrett. Isn’t that nice? It’s so safe to have a doctor along if we do get shipwrecked, don’t you . .” Mrs. Jenkins had started off gushingly, but she ran down as she caught sight of Star’s horrified ex-, pression and Gloria obvious anger. Blushing painfully Star tried to make the situation clear. “Doctor Barrett is engaged to Gloria. I am sure you must have made a mistake.” Chapter IX * Star glanced up to see Kent ap proaching. Her heart began to throb in that disconcerting way it had sud denly developed. It’s the uniform, she told herself, gazing into the suds of water that ran in ribbons along side the boat. It makes him clean and reliable and firm, isn’t—he isn’t! Kent’s voice broke in her "Gloria, I wonder if you’d mind tran sferring to boat number six—it’s just on the other side of the deck. I ask ed ,Mr, and Mrs. Livingston to come in this boat because I want to look after her. I know you won’t care,” Star turned, about tol>say -that ^she would gladly make the change, but Gloria was already moving away. “Of course^, dear,” she murmured graciously, although Star didn’t think she sounded too pleased. “In this outfit I’d rather not see anyone I know,” '• ' a “Oh, yon won’t be alone,” Kent said quietly, “A friend of yours, Mr, V 7Y “Why’re you sorry?” he questioned without much interest “Because now maybe we'll miss the pirates,” Star answered mournfully, “You know thgre’s a place just out side of Haiti it used to be called Port Royal and all the pirates lived there. It was a wicked,, wicked city that one day an earthquake shook it until it sank right beneath, the waves. But there was one pirate who climb ed into the steeple as the waves got higher and higher a big, bad pir ate with gold earrings and a great scar across his .cheek. “He climbed up the steeple and rajfg the bell, He rang it oyer and over again. But no one ever saved him and he’s down r there ringing away yet! Thais' why I hoped we wouldn’t be late, because if you want to hear the pirate ring the bell — maybe see him, you’ve got to be on the minute,” “Do the boat people know that?” Stuart asked thoughtfully. “Oh, Yes. But if there’s a man ov erboard they’ll be late, They have to stop and look around. Maybe one hour, or two, or three—” “No — overboard. We’ll miss "Stuart! Think of what you’re say- ii g. There is a man overboard.’ “NO — NO!” Stuart was hopping excitedly up and down on one foot. “1 said that. I wanted them to put the little boat down in the water and take me with chem. I just said it— and a sailor heard me, and then he started shouting.” Star stood up, her hand .firmly ar- I think we’d better she said. “He may be angry, because he wants to see the pirates as much as you do. But you’ve done something wr< ng and you must take your pun ishment like a man.” They made their way to Captain Porter who looked as if he were boil ing so hard inwardly that in a mo- meit the steam would come rushing out. He glared impatiently at Star and turned again to the worried young second mate who stood with a long list in his hand. “No one missing!” roared the Cap tain. “What is this, a joke? Is sorne- Well, better Kent’s Coates, is In that boat “ Gloria seejn- ed about to say she wouldn’t go, but then thought better of it and hurried on. Mrs, Jenkins moved over closer and whispered, “Say, I'm awfully sor ry T made that mistake about you and the doctor” “Oh, that’s all right,” Star wished her companion would not refer to it again, especially with Kent looking on. “But it does seem sort of funny” Mrs. Jenkins persisted, “that a nice looking man like him^wopld be tak en in by a bedizened fly-by-night with her yella hair and painted finger nails” # “She’s really a very nice girl,” said Star -uncomfortably, iStar could, feel Kent's eyes on her, She knew exactly when he had turn ed from adjusting the bride’s life belt and stood watching her. If was as if he were compelling her to look up at him, Unwillingly she taised her eyes, The dimple was showing in his cheek although he sternly repressed the .smile. He'had probably over heard Mrs. Jenkins’ remark, Star thought, and found herself smiling up at him, It was the last thing in the world she had intended to do, "You haven’t your belt tied tightly enough,” he “Is mine Jenkins. "Tied like beamed at his approval. '“We’ve done this toldi them, “that Mr. lift belt in our attic at home in a storm. Kent’s lean face was so close to ’ pond Stuart’s, Star’s that she could see the little i find the Captain right away, pulse throbbing in his temple. What a nice nose he had! Not at all the usual Barrett nose, but thin and high ly arched. His fingers fumbled. As she-, watched, he pulled the loop through too far and undid the fastening again. “Oh — here, Jenkins’ plump ly at the tapes, about things when they’re doing it for a pretty girl,” she added. Star grew hot with embarrassment. But Kent, his telltale hands locked behind him, was more at ease. She 1 one trying to be funny?” wore confusion like a talisman, he decided. It was caught in the tossing curls of her hair, veiled by her down cast lashes. He bowed gravely to Mrs. Jenkins. ‘‘Thank you,” he ,said earnestly. "She is beautiful to me, but I thought perhaps I was prejudiced.”* * * * Gloria’s life belt was tossed care lessly onto the bunk, but she was no where in sights Wearily Star took hers off and pushed her hair back from her forehead. The day was so muggy! Like a spring day with the sap slowly rising in the trees and buds on the maples. It was hard to imagine that the house in Milford was buried in snow, its path unbrok en, its1 windows shuttered and for lorn. Her head ached with the whirl of her thoughts. Why didn’t Kent ac knowledge he knew her? Why did he pretend this silly interest in her when he was engaged to Gloria? Was each one in tie world one sort of person and pretending to be another. There was a- sudden commotoin outside —• the sound of footsteps pounding along deck — a shrill scream. The boat grumbled and groaned as if a modern dragon had found its way into the engine room and was clawing at the very vitals of the ship. Star was thrown against the wash basin with a sickening lurch and at almost the same minute heard Mrs. Jenkins crying shrilly: “Man overboard! My LAND!” Star almost collided with the stew ard as she opened the door and ran out. Without bothering to apologize, he steadied her and dashed on. Star Was only a shoit distance behind him stepping onto the slippery deck, A crowd had gathered aft, most of them leaning over the rail and talk ing excitedly. The water was coated with a shifting cloud of steam so that it was impossible to see more than a few feet beyond the boat, Star stood uncertainly. It seemed foolish to crowd around the rail — sure the sailors should be allowed to have all the room they needed. Then she .caught sight of a small figure pressed against the outer wall of the cabin. Star went up and torched the bright head glinting in the’ sun, “Stuart!” i He looked ' up, at her. She was startled by the intense excitement in his face. “They's a man overboard.” “Yes, I "heard that. But they have n’t found him yet.” • “Why don’t they put down one of the little boats?” Stuart demanded. “D’you think they’d let me get .in and look? Do you?” “Perhaps, darling,” She appeared to be watching the crowd as it Jtnill- cd around only a few feet away, but her arm at Stuart’s waist was alert to the pounding of his small heart, the tenseness of his muscles, “But I’m sorry this happened,” “Captain Porter!” Star stood her ground: firmly. “Stuart has just told me that he—he repeated the expres sion ‘man overboard.’ Someone heard him and thought he* meant it—” She stopped at the fury that shook the little man until he acually trembled. With a supreme effort the Captain growled to the second, mate, “Full steam ahead.” “Yes, sir.’ The second mate salut ed and darted away. Impassively the- sailors started raising the boat, back to 'its davits, Stuart watching them with interest. Star braced herself for the explos ion, but' none came. Instead, with a disgusted grunt, the Captain wheeled and marched away. She leaned weak ly against the railing for a minute, unable to move. .One of the sailors picked up the weathrproof cover and started lashing it to the boat. “If I was you, Miss,” he advised, “I’d take the young squirt and go down to your tabin, I don’t think the captain wants to see anyone any more today.” c Chapter X Gloria petulantly pushed away her salad. “Off your feed?” Kent inquired. “Darling, you know I never eat salad. All I wan'. is another cup of coffee.” Kent attacked his own salad * with ferocity. He must speak to Gloria about this habit of scattering impar tial “dears” and “darlings” through out all conversations directed to him. If they were going to be married, it would be different. But that was all over and he didn’t like the possessive strings in which Gloria still managed to entangle him. Besides, there was another complication. He stole a guilty look at Star, fragile in white net with a crisp ruffle standing up around her shoulders like the invert ed petals of a flower. Just before dinner Kent had been summoned to the Captain’s quarters for a bewildering fifteen minutes of explanations that didn’t explain and messages of apology that he was to convey. Through it all the phrase, “That girl you’re going marry,” had run like a maddening refrain. Kent had heard,' of course, about Stuart’s misadventure, but the sequel as explained by the "Captain was far from clear. ■ “Probably scared the girl,” Captain Pbrter Chuckled. “But I didn’t scare the kid—he’s a hellion, that one. Any way, tell your girl I’m sorry. She’s smart, Kent. Pretty as a picture, too. You have good taste. Don’t wonder she turned you clown a couple of tim es. Plenty of spirit in that chin. But no fun if there aren't a few rocks in the channel,ch?” “Yes, sir.” Kent was trying unsuc cessfully to link Gloria <with Stuart in a situation that was antasing to the Captain and yet required an ap- Qlogy to her, “You certainly have the table this trip,” The Captain was determined to be friendly, “That little blonde is something to look at, too, there’s the dinner bell- We’d get going.” Star glanced up and found eyes fastened on her with an unwill ing fascination. Tonight, she was de termined he again, “Did you “I didn’t,” am about to. discovered Stuart’s bright idea and made him confess?” As Star nodded Kent drew a deep breath. So. The Captain had concluded that Star was his reluctant fiancee. Kent equid explain that Gloria was the girl — no, hang it! — she wasn't, He was going to speak to her to night and definitely end it all.’ But if he told the Captain that after what the old man had said just before they sailed . . . No, he couldn’t do that either. Captains didn’t like to be told they were mistaken about anything. Better Jet it ride and then — when they got back to New York — ex plain that the lady was still unwill ing. "I’m to apologies, afraid he noon.” Star glanced at the Captain’s His ruddy face was beaming at her. “The Captain’s a lamb,” she declar ed. “No one could blame him for be ing put out. Stuart was just thought less.” , ' "Stuart is just a brat,” said Gloria with conviction. Coates came in at that moment and with apology sank ino the Star. “iSorry I’m late.’ Gloria’s eye narrowed. on the wrong side of the table?” Coates smiled at Star. "Am I?” “If you want to eat?” s "I want only a feast for the eyes.” Kent’s disgusted grunt made Star more eager to keep Coates ’beside her. “A bit smooth for an opening remark,” she commented. “You prefer the caveman type?" Star was afare that Kent applied the description to himself. He ground the coffee spoon into his cup as if he wished Coates were beneat’h it. With great enjoyment Star deliberately let her shoulder touch the dark coat be side her.. - “I’m open to conviction,” she mur mured. But Gloria had taken that oppor- unity to whisper to Kent. He was nodding probably he’d missed the lit tle byplay. Star went on quickly: “I thought you were the rock throwing type. Gloria tells me you’re a geologist.” “Not quite. An archeologist.” “Your future is in the past?” smil ed Star. "My future is in — your hands!” His dark eyes kindled as they look ed at her . . Star felt an almost phy sical revulsion for his oily black hair and thin eagerness. But she controll ed herself well. “There is a boat deck,” Gloria said insolently, “I’m sure we’ll see you up there,” Coates retorted. Kent’s sulky silence made Star sure the thrust had gone home. So that was what Gloria had whispered about —what Kent had agreed to—a rende- vo-us on deck? Star wondered why she wanted to protest. What differ ence did it make to her? “It’s a date then?” Coates whisp ered. Star forced herself to say lightly: “I make only one date every night—” “Break it tonight,’ Coates demand ed. “—with a gentleman who has al ready retired,” Star went on. She saw Barton Underwood making his way toward their table. “After my young man is asleep — perhaps." “Miss Sandringham,” Barton lean ed . over her chair. “I’m punishing Stuart by not letting him hear a story tonight.” “Then you would punish me too,” Star objected. “He admitted his mis take like a soldier, Mr, Underwood. That’s all anyone can ask. Please don’t insist on hurting him any more. Barton smiled down at the lovely face pleading so gracefully for his child. He had a vision, too, of Stuart — after he had heard the ultimatum — turning toward the wall and bury ing his head in the pillow, one tiny hand clenched to keep from protest ing. Star had said punishment like a “I don’t believe Barton announced. Star rose quickly, her face bright with happiness, and walked toward the door — to the dark cabin where Stuart had decided that even a man .might be permitted to sob if he press ed his lips tightly together so that no sound escaped.* * * “Oooht It’s so windy!’ shivered and ducked into a fairly sheltered corner, Kent followed her would not embarass her say something?” Kent answered, “but I Were you the one who bring you Captain Porter’s ’ Kent went on. frightened you this “He’s after table. a murmured seat beside 'Aren’t you he must take his man. lie’s asleep yet,” Gloria there slowly, Grudgingly he put an arm .around her as she snuggled up to bis cogt. “Gloria I’ve got to talk to you,” he said determinedly. “It’s about •— about that letter * “Kent,, is that the north star—the big one? Pardon me, darling, but it seems so silly to be prosaic up here, alone.” “It isn’t the North Star and this •isn’t silly to me,” “Don’t be angry/’ Gloria murmur ed. “Since I've been on this trip I can almost see why you like this stu pid boat •—’ really I can," Kent’s heart sank. What if she was going to say that she would marry him now, with no conditions? “Oh, no — you — you wouldn’t like it at. all,” he said desparately, “You were perfectly right—” “Then you’ll take up a land prac tice? Oh, darling!” Imulsively Gloria threw both arms around his neck. “Careful — someone’s coming!”' Gloria dropped her arms, but did not move away. In a guilty silence th’ey waited as the footsteps came nearer and nearer. . Suddenly Cap tain Porter stood before them, his sharp eyes seeing Kent’s quick sal ute, Gloria’s affected shyness. Kent could almost see him thinking: En gaged to one girl, kissing another. More unpleasant gossip!♦ * * Star stepped cautiously onto the windswept deck. She didn’t want to meet Coates just now. She saw a dim form approaching, Saw the6 quick sure way he walked, the gleam of his wrist watch as he passed a lighted window. It was Coates. Of course she could go back. Yet it was such a gorgeous night! Who was it said you could always go three ways? She didn’t want to go down or# sideways —but she could go up! Star ran lightly toward the stairs. Her heart was . pounding as she rea ched the top and paused to catch her breath and listen. Coates walked on quickly — to the ladder — and past it. With a sigh of relief Sitar ran aft. No one but a stupid blundering girl —Star thought afterward bitterly — would have so heedlessly disturbed people. No one else would have been so entirely engrossed in her own thoughts that she would practically walk into a couple before she halted. Even after she had heard her room mate’s passionate, “Kent, you must n’t say that. You mustn’t!” Star had stood rooted 'to’the spot while Glor ia’s arms were flung around Kent’s neck — while their lips were press ed together. And then instead of slipping away Star had said primly, “I beg your pardon!” No wonder Kent had looked up withsuch a guilty start. It was ough to make any man angry. And it was enough to make girl cry a little, even though she was happy that Gloria had patched up the quarrel with her sweetheart. She had known all along that Kent and Gloria were to be married. No, she wasn’t weeding about that. It was only — she she her en- any wished she had drowned before had that- love scene burned into memory! of passengers Star had seen .rittlnjg ......‘ n They ■ -we Chapter XI With her feet propped against the and her eyes looking deep into turbulent water, Stai- felt lone- than she had ever felt before in life. Ten days to Christmas! If were home this would be a time rail the Her her she of whispered consultations with the children’s mothers, of arrangements for the library tree and ornaments, of endless lists of recommended read ing for children of carying ages. Christmas week always passed in a whirl of activity. Star hoped the girl taking her place would not forget to have the tree an chored securely. It had fallen one year. She could never wipe out of her memory the expression on the child ren’s faces as they saw the one big Star on top come crashing down. She wondered if her face did not reflect something of what s those children must have felt. Her partic ular Christmas ornament had been this cruise. She wanted it to be per fect, gleaming through the dark months, perhaps years, that would surely follow. Yet already there was a touch of tarnish on the gilt. In- sead of the sustained joyousness she had expected, there were ^moments like last night when everything turn ed shabby and dull. Last night Gloria had not mention ed that painful moment. She had tiptoed into the cabin an hour later and Star pretended to be asleep. This morning, however, Star had managed to stumble through a sort of apology. Gloria stared at her and stretched with yawning good humor, “Did it embarrass you 'to see Kent kissing me?” she asked in surprise. “Think nothing of it. The Captain caught us five minutes before you appeared. We should have staged our pcttjng scene in Grand Central Pal ace.” The upper deck was almost desert-’ cd. Evidently the Sunday afternoon habit of napping a few hours had claimed most ol the guests, Further toward the stern there was a group at the Captain’s table, talking and laughing; she did not want to walk past them, She thought of going below. At Gloria and. Coates came up the stairs* They paused awkwardly beside her* “Oh, hell!” It was Gloria’s turn to be embarrassed. “I didn’t know you were up here.” “We’re 'trying to get up a game of bridge,” Coates said. “Do you play?” “Please count me cut,” Star refus ed. “I was going downstairs in a minute anyway. I’d like to write a few cards for tomorrow’s mail.” “See you later then,” Gloria and Coates walked off slow ly, leaving Star thoughtful. It wag Strange that Gloria had not been em barrassed about her love scene with KenL and was obviously ill at ease when she was with Coates! $ * * Elise Cattrell, 'the woman in black* as Star, had come to think of her, fumbled around in her trunk until she found the small box of medicines she always carried with her. Bandage, iodine — her fingers hesitated for a moment and then passed on, They said it burned; she didn’t want to look distorted and ugly. A tinier bot tle. She took it out and closed the trunk carefully. The little cabin was in perfect ord er. Jim had always called her an “old maid” for being so tidy. She smiled wryly as she considered how apt that description had been. Unconsciously her hand, went to her hair and she straightened t'lie small silver butter fly that nestled in the smooth waves. No longer black, but at night the gray seemed softer, her skin looked smoother. Her eyes were almost as round and sparkling as they had been five years ago when she had met Jim.‘ Just about this time ■■— about ten . days before Christmas. Chicago al most buried in snow, a picture-card Christmas Eve. Great white flakes softly, slowly — light wet kisses as they touched your face. How happy they had been, she and Jim, carrying home that silly little tree, decorating it afterward in her apartment. How shyly and boyishly he had produced a small box from.his pocket — a, sil ver butterfly. “They always light on the sweetest flowers,” he had said. Jim! Jim! The face in the mirror contorted pitifully as she fought back ithe tears. She would not think of that now. All those weary years of waiting; years of giving some diverting answer to ■ that ceaseless question: “Why don’t you and Jim get married?” Why? Why? What would have happeried if she had turned on those idle questioners just once and shouted: “He is mar ried. His wife is insane. Terribly, hopelessly insane! 'She thinks Jim is their son. He must see her every week and tell her that he wasn’t kill ed in action — that he’s back from: the war. He must assure her that he’s well and strong and happy, and call her. ‘Mother’. He’s tearing his heart out — and mine too. But we can’t get married — not yet.’ Not yet. Not this year. Perhaps not next year — nor the next. Not yet. And then, Jim’s voice saying: “Darling, I’ve just got a telegram. I’m flying west tonight. She’s very ill — dying — calling for me. They say she’s rational. I’ll let you know when it’s over. I wish I could see you once more before I go.”' Then that telegram — two weeks later: “ALL IS OVER MEET ,ME AT AIRPORT FOUR THURSDAY.” And those black minutes in the November dusk. Standing with the few others who looked at you and at each other fiercely as if they cried, “It’s all right — just a delay — a forced landing somewhere.” A forced landing! You said it over and over to yourself until the word crash came. Then you repeated: “He isnt’ hurt — he isn’t hurt,” until someone put a list on a board. Even then — even looking at Jim’s name you kept repeating: “He isn’t dead—he isn’t dead!” Then you went home still not be lieving, but remembering the way he smiled; always months friends “Go on a cruise,” they said. "Meet new people.” They meant to be kind, but it was no use. You couldn’t forget. You kept hearing Jim’s voice: “I wish I could see you once more.” “You're going to have your wish, Jim, You’re going io sec me once more. In this old white evening dress that’s wilted now, but still beautiful because you thought it was. I've been happy you.' Her haste, opened the bottle, Three of the little pills spilled on the floor, but she let them go. Three were enough. They looked so tiny, so inadequate. Per haps another, just to be sure swallowed’ them quickly, drank the water, Strange — she had no sensa tion at all, it was just as well, per- ... ................_ iihii that minute how big and strong he had been. Afterward, days or —- it didn’t matter which — asked you to forget. tonight, Jim. Dressing for hands trembling with nervous she filled the water glass and She ’J