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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1938-12-22, Page 16E SIXTEEN WINGHAM ADVANCE-TIMES be Miss Catttoll's cabin. A cor" M tissue paper caught his eye. W reached down and pulled. A small pja-ekage came out. It was wrapped up jfelM like a Christmas present with $hiny silver ribbon and a big bow. It was only a matter of seconds be- tote the package was unwrapped and a long silver case lay revealed in its box. There was a little oval in the centre of |ust like trunk. It was the the case with letters on it letter’s on Dad’s big Christmas present alla right! Stuart clutched the box tight­ ly and picked up the tissue paper and ribbqn. Star had been right. Santa Claus' brother had already been there and hidden the gjfts in unexptected places. His eyes fell on Elise’s knitting bag hung on a hook at the foot of her bunk. Of course-—Santa Claus always carried a pack! It was the only way to get a large number of gifts to one particular spot. By stand­ ing on a chair Stuart managed to un­ hook the bag and get down on the floor again. It was a simple matter to pull the knitting out of the bag and throw it with the needles in a dark corner under the bunk. Then the present was dumped unceremoniously into the bottom. Stuart noted it was a fairly large -bag. He could collect at least one gift from each cabin and’ take them all back witli him, And would­ n’t Santa Slaus’ brother be surprised. ***** In the dining salon the tree stood in regal splendor, almost reaching to the ceiling. On every bough tinsel and colored balls caught the light and winked back at the shining sea out­ side. Elise Cattrell gazed at it with something approaching awe. She had not thought she would see this love­ ly symbol of the season. She had not wanted to imagine what a Christmas tree would look like with sunshine, and flowers outside, instead of cold and snow. She was surprised to find that there was ’nothing strange about it. Al­ though she was wearing a white sum­ mer dress and the men had on thin • sweaters or sports shirts and the sal­ on portholes were ablaze as the sun started to dip into the ocean, it was Christmas. The tree stood proudly glittering, holding them all together in a spirit of giving and good will. Mrs. Jenkins coughed significantly. “Of course it’s a little early,” she said with the first hesitation Elise had ever known her to show. “But we could do just one carol before we 1 dress for dinner, don’t you think? I used to sing in the choir at home,” she went on with a return of her old manner,” and we always rehearsed before the services.” The other passengers murmured their approval. They seemed glad to linger together a few minutes more. Elise said timidly: “I used to play the piano a little. I could give you the key.” When they had finished Elise be­ gan tentatively, “God rest ye, merry gentlemen,” and saw Mrs. Jenkins nod in agreement. All the rest picked up the tune and sent it ringing gayly through the warm summer evening. Chapter XXVII Star heard the carols, faintly at first, above the put-put-put of the launch. Then as they drew nearer to the ship the words were clear: “Let nothing you dismay.” She had scarcely spoken to Kent. He had reached the schooner soon after it was headed back toward Kingston. Nor had Coates said any more, either in apology or in defense of his behavior. His interest in her seemed to have vanished into thin air with his knowledge that she was not an heiress. For the first time in her life .Star was grateful that she worked for a living. More than once in the last two hours she had wished fervently that she was back, sheltered by its familiar walls, the books looking down upon her with friendly faces. Kent had said simply: “You’d bet­ ter come back with me. We're sail­ ing in half an hour.” Coates had instantly lowered the rope ladder. Star wondered how she had ever managed to get down with­ out falling into the water that heav­ ed and reached toward her as the i*ope btinip,ed against the side of the schooner. Her knuckles were skinned. She saw that, but she felt no pain. She could only move automatically, sit where Kent told, her to, watch him moving quickly and efficiently in the small boat. He had called up to Coates’. "Miss Sandringham’s travel­ ing case?” * So he know about that tool Star felt that her misery was complete. Naturally Kent thought she had been tunning Jaway with Coates. How Could, she explain that she hadn't packed that bag, hadn’t even known ft was there? It would sound silly. Better just sit quietly until they re­ turned to the ship. At least he must know that she repented ever setting fwt aboard the Merry Maid. had managed to keep control ...........idif all during the long trip jSffct was busv driving the bout through the water, intent on reaching the ship as quickly as possible. He might almost have forgotten she was there, so unconscious did he seem of her presence. She made no effort to attract his attention. She wanted only to reach her cabin before she gave way to the sobs that were tearing at her throat. But she had not thought* of the singing. Without warning the sound came across the water, so reassuring and sweet that she could not restrain her tears. Still Kent did not speak. He drew alongside the pier and help­ ed her out. “I’ll bring the bag.” His voice was matter of fact, as if they had just been for a short sail, as if the very world hadn’t shattered at her feet. The carolers were singing: “Oh, tidings of comfort and joy--- Comfort and joy!" Star sped up the ladder and past the curious seaman who stood on deck. She barely had time to reach her cabin before the singers disband­ ed. Hardly had time to realize that the nightmare was over and that Christmas Eve had brought her a real gift of security, even though it had removed Kent from her farther than ever. • “Come in!” Captain Porter hastily buttoned his jacket. He was in an iroscible mood. The ship had been delayed while Doctor Barrett chased after that fool girl who had planned her own shore excursion, and they would have to make up the time; of this run. Cap­ tain Porter was a man of precision; there was nothing more annoying to him than to have his schedule up­ set, whether by a recalcritrant mule who refused to quiet down after he had been lifted to the deck, or by an equally stubborn passenger who wouldn’t return to the ship on time. What were girls coming to, these days? He didn’t know. In his own way Captain Porter had managed to find out that it was to Gloria Kent was engaged. He hadnk heard that the engagement was broken, but he had thought until this afternoon that Kent was making a mistake. The Sandringham girl looked trimmer, more as if she would be a good wife for a seafaring man. She reminded him in some way of his own Doris— not now, of course, for Doris had put on a little weight these last few years. But when she was younger. “Come in!” he shouted again. Cap-! tain Porter marched over to the door and threw it open, his tongue fram­ ing the words he. always had ready as a disciplinary measure. But as he- saw who was standing there he chocked hastily and backed into his room. “Er—ah—come in, please,” he said as cordially as he could manage. “Mrs. Jenkins, isn’t it?” “Yes, it is.” • Mrs. Jenkins returned his stare with a belligerence that matched his own. For the moment Captain Porter forgot that he was master of the Cart­ agena and Mrs.. Jenkins only a pas­ senger. She was far more master of the situation than he. He almost apologized for occupying the cabin. “I’ve come to report a theft,” his visitor announced briskly. .“I want you to stop the ship and have every­ one searched.” Captain Porter sighed in exasper­ ation, but he managed to control his , words. “What is it you’ve lost,. Mrs.. Jenkins?”. ° “A pair of silk pajamas—white silk, they were—embroidered, in green and gold. Lounging pajamas,, you know.” “‘Ah—yes. I know. Have you look­ ed through your cabin thoroughly?” “Certainly I have. I’m not in the habit of making statements, Captain Porter, unless I am positive of the facts. These pajamas were stolen.” “When did you miss them?” “When we- returned to the cabin, after decorating the Christmas tree. Wc stood around and sang carols for a while and the thief had a very good opportunity to go through every­ thing. The ship must be searched.” Captain Porter glanced at his clock- It was the dinner hour. Yet it was. hard to tell Mrs. Jenkins that even if she had lost the Kohinoor diamond, lie would not stop the ship for a sec­ ond. In fact he wanted to get to the bridge and tell them to put on more speed. “We’ll conduct a search of course,” lie said soothingly. “But I feel sure that if you look—<” his. voice trailed off as Mrs. Jenkins fixed him with a piercing glance. “Yottsuh—you real­ ize that we ask all passengers to lock their cabins while we are in port just to prevent such petty losses.” He had said the wrong thing again. Mrs. Jenkins'fairly bristled. “'Petty? Those pajamas cost five dollars! And and besides the money—” to the Captain’s alarm, Mrs. Jenkins’ face suddenly crumpled ahd her eyes be­ came misty—"It’s the---the idea that 'now—now I c-can’t give them-—” “They were a gift?” Captain Port- ' er helplessly' flicked his ..tongue against his teetli.VBut—-couldn’t you ■ explain to the person tor whom you intended them?” “They were for Mr. Jenkins,” his visitor said with a quavere in, her voice. “He—he’s never had silk pa­ jamas. I—-1 wanted to surprise him.” Chapter XXVIII Captain Porter coughed and turn­ ed away. The thought of Mr, Jen­ kins clad in white silk embroidered in green and gold was almost too much for his dignity. “I’m sure,” lie began as soon as he could speak, “that there is gome explanation.” He was interrupted by another knock at the door. Mrs, Jenkins turn­ ed and Captain Porter went thankful­ ly to see who the new caller was better than facing Mrs. Jenkins alone. Gloria stood in the doorway, still in the yellow dress she had worn that afternoon. She looked tired and plain. She ignored Mrs. Jenkins and spoke directly to the Captain. “I’ve had a beastly headache all evening,” she said to him accusingly as if he had been the cause of it, “and while I was up on’ the top deck trying to rest someone entered my cabin and removed a silver bracelet I bought at Christobal. I want it returned im­ mediately, please, or I shall hold you personally accountable." “But, my dear lady— “On Christmas Eve, too,” Mrs. Jenkins put in. “It must be some heathen who’d steal on a night like ■this. Captain Porter, I demand that you return to Jamaica and notify the proper authorities.” “Mrs. Jenkins has lost a pair of silk pajamas," the Captain explained to Gloria. She was uninterested. “Of course I realize ’that it is annoying,” he said placatingly to both of them, “but I assure you the ship will be thoroughly searched. Doubtless it is someone’s idea of a prank.” ,, The playful aspect of it had es­ caped both Gloria and Mrs. Jenkins and they did not hesitate to say so, each in her own way and at the same time. The Captain grew redder and redder as ’the' character of his ship and his management of it became an antiphonal chant between the- two visitors. He was relieved to hdwt^an- other knock at his door. 1 The conversation in the dining salon was on much the same topic. Those who had missed nothing were forced to recall that their cabins had been locked. Most of the articles missing had been little things bought in port that very afternoon, or in Christobal over the week-end. They had been intended for the grab bag that was to be a featured part of the evening’s entertainment. “I’m afraid Santa Claus won’t have anything for yo-u,” Elise was explain­ ing to Barton Underwood. “I had a little gift all wrapped up and ready for the grab bag, but it disappeared this afternoon when we were trim­ ming the tree” “I’m going to ask you for the most precious gift in the world later to­ night,” he answered, his voice very low. Elise blushed as she said lightly, “It’s the season for giving. But you know, she added hastily, afraid that for once in his conventional life Bar­ ton was about to forget that they were in a brilliantly lighted room, “whoever it was took my knitting too. Isn’t that odd? A half-finished sweater is of so little use to anyone. Kent, seated beside Star, found it hard^ to keep up the conversation at his table. The honeymooners were shiriing-eyed over their first Christ­ mas together. He doubted if they had even see theygorgeous tree that glistened and glowed in the center o£ the room. The Poinsettias that flam­ ed on every table and the greent wreaths that transformed the walls, into a verdant Christmas garden had. been ignored, too. Star, exquisite in. the white frock that made her look, angelic, was very quiet. Gloria had. not appeared. Star explained that she did npt want any dinner. Kent’s eye was caught by Elise and. Barton a few tables away . There was no. - doubt of Barton’s manner toward the lady at his side. Kent reflected, bitterly that he knew exactly how/ Barton felt. But Star had told him of. Underwood’s proposal to her! He: glanced at Star to find that her eyes, were resting as his had been on Elise and Barton. Embarrassed he muttered, "Miss Cattrell looks much better than she did when she came aboard.” “She's happy,” Star said softly. “I a.tn so glad she has found someone to love.” ; “You — you mean — you and Un­ derwood—’’ Star looked pttzaled for a minute, and then she smiled for the first time- that night. “Oh, I think Barton was really attracted to Elise from the’ start,” she explained. “He had*’ seen me with Stuart though, and he im­ agined that he was in love with me.” “But why didn’t you tell me? That day at Cristobal, the day I tried to get you to pome to- lunch with mc‘, t wanted to talk to you.” t i “Yes?” “I wanted to tell you first that Gloria lias released me from our en­ gagement?* Star looked demure. “You said something to the same effect in Kingston,” she reminded him. Kent turned a deeper red as he remember­ ed his bald statement that he would not marry Gloria. “You must think I’m the world's priae heel,” he muttered. “But I did­ n’t break the engagement. Gloria did that herself. Anyway, that wasn’t what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to tell you—” Fortunately she was saved from answering. Captain Porter had risen and was tapping on his water glass to attract the attention, of the diners. When they were all quiet, he said, carefully avoiding Mrs. Jenkins’ eye: “There has been a series of annoy­ ing incidents this afternoon which we are attempting to straighten out with all possible speed. However, we are not going to let that delay our Christmas program, In just.a mo­ ment Santa Claus will appear and I am sure we pll want to give him a hearty welcome. If you will all ar­ range \your chairs on one. side of the table so that you can have a clear view of the tree, we’ll get going.” There was laughter and a general scraping of chairs as the passengers seated with their backs to the tree pushed around to the other side so they could all watch the door. Kent managed to capture Star’s hand and, hold it tightly in his as they waited for Captain Porter to continue. “Mr. Upderwood has already left and will return with the youngest meipber of the company, who has been having a little nap. I want to explain that as Santa Claus takes each gift from the grab bag he will call out the name that is written on it. That person will come up, identify himself and thank -Santa Claus per­ sonally for the gift — for the benefit of our youngest passenger. When the person receiving the gift ij5 a girl, our Santa Claus asks that the thanks be given as a kiss.” There was general laughter and applause that grew in volume as Santa Claus himself came to the door. Star had had a hasty interview with the two-hundred pound seaman who was taking the part and his costume was as letter perfect as they could manage to make it. There had been some difficulty in locating enough red bathing suits to make the one that now stretched tightly over his sun-browned form. He himself had contributed a pair of ’boots which were ornamented with a roll of cot­ ton batting. A red beret had been loaned by one of the passengers and a big ball of cotton struck on. it. The whiskers that had been bought fpr him in one of the ports were "secure­ ly stuck in place and transformed him into a surprisingly realistic rep­ lica of the legendary Saint Nick. He posed in • the doorway and threw his arms wide. “Merry Christ­ mas, everybody!” he boomed. “Merry Christmas, Santa Claus!” they shouted back.- He started for his place beside the tree, but as he did so the laughter and chattering suddenly died down. Barton Underwood was coming through the door, unsmiling and tight-lipped. 9 With one hand he dragged Stuart, whose expression was even more ferocious. In the oth­ er hand he held Elise’s knitting bag strained to the bursting point with packages, and spilling’over at the top with tissue paper and rjbbon. Star gasped and tugged her hand away from Kent’s. “.Let me go,” she whispered fiercely. “Barton mustn’t say it” • Chapter XXIX’ » Before Star could reach the center of the room Barton was already ad­ dressing Captain Porter. “I hope you and. the passengers will accept my humblest apologies,” he hegan, -but Star swooped across the room and gathered Stuart into her arms. Barton turned, astonished. He had no chance to say more; Star was leading the child closer to the non- .plused Santa Claus. "Santa, I want you to meet one of the best little boys in the world,” she said. “This is Stuart Underwood, who probably spent all afternoon helping you. He knew you wouldn’t have time to collect all the .gifts you had left around the ship, so I think he went around and gathered them for. you.” - “Well, well, well, well!” Santa .Claus laughed as heartily1 as the jolly old saint was supposed to do. “So this is Stuart! I’ve heard about you, young man, and I„ want to shake your hand. Where are m^s'c gifts you col­ lected?” Stuart, slightly overawed by so much Santa Claus, said in a very small voice, “Dad’s got them. He said I shouldn’t have taken them.” Barton, locking slightly^ bewilder­ ed, handed pver the knitting bag and its contents and retired to his seat amid the friendly boos and catcalls of tliq pasengers. Santa Claus lifted Stuart to his shoulder where he sat, his eyes shining, drinking in the splendor of the Christmas tree that towered high above him, Santa Glatts reached into Elise’s knitting bag and found himself confronted with anoth­ er problem. Some of lite gifts had ■bgsu’un wrapped When Swart totnxd. them, others he had opened to see what was inside- “I’m a little mixed up here,” Santa admitted genially, to the passengers, “so I am going to ask you to help me out. Miss -Star will hold up each of the gifts and if my assistant can­ not remember where he found it I am sure someone in the room will know the person for whom it was intend­ ed.” Star reached into the bag and pro­ duced a crumpled pair of white silk pajama trousers, There was a shock­ ed exclamation from the other side of the room and something like a snort from the Captain’s table. “Those are the pajamas/' began Mrs. Jenkins. There was a warning whisper from the woman next to her. “Those pajamas are for Mr. Jenkins," she amended quietly. “Mr. Jenkins!” shouted Santa Claus. “Is Mr, Jenkins in the room?” Mr, Jenkins, when he pushed for­ ward, looked as if he would have lik­ ed to conceal his indentity, but he managed to get to the tree and claim his gift. One^ by one the other pre­ sents were held up and identified by someone in the gathering. • Stuart burst into delighted chuckles when­ ever Santa Claus claimed a kiss from a feminine passenger. The collection in the knitting bag was almost exhausted when Star handed Santa Claus the photograph of a white-haired -gentleman. Across one corner was written in a strong firm hand: “Merry Christmas, Son - Dad.” Santa Claus help up the photograph and for a moment no one seemed to recognize it. Then unexpectedly Kent rose and came forward. “This must be meant for me, Santa,” he said gravely. “God bless my soul! Of course’it’s for you, Doctor Barrett. Your fath­ er himself gave it to me for you, with his best wishes for a ‘Merry Christ­ mas." Stuart evidently saw nothing amiss in this little byplay, but Star was ‘staring at Kent as if she had never seen him before. She had in fact just realized that he could not be John Kenneth Barrett, whose father had died only a month before. This Doc­ tor Barrett’s father was alive! She did not dare look at Kent. Resolutely she continued to help Santa Claus who had now turned his attention to the grab bag. Even when a gift for herself, which turned out to be a beautiful topaz ring, was found, she did not. look toward the table to which Kent had returned!. She left the ring in its box and managed to join the others in the Christmas car­ ols that presently rang out.. Mrs. Jenkins never faltered on either the words or the music as she led the assembly in the familiar beloved' old hymns.- Later they joined hands and danc­ ed merrily around the tree while old Santa Claus held Stuart aloft once mOre and announced his intention of taking his assistant back to the South Pole with him. He did actually march off with Stuart, bidding them,all a ga.y farewell, but Star knew that be­ fore they had gone far Stuart’s eye­ lids would droop and the end' of the journey would be’ lost in dreams-. “Merry Christmas!" * * * “Merry Christmas!” Gloria turned and looked at her cabin mate with’ wondering, eyes. “How can ' you wish me a." merry Christmas?” she asked,bitterly. "You know wh’at I tried to do to you.’.’ Star smiled. “On Christmas Day I can’t feel unhappy. And I don’t want tfc make anyone else unhappy, either. It’s such a beautiful season. I’ve always loved Christmas., We us­ ed to make a lot of it at home. I’m only sorry you weren’t downstairs last night. We sang Christmas car­ ols and danced around the. tree.” Gloria turned her face to> the wall. “I- don’t want to see any of them again.” But Star was determined: that**this glorious Christmas Day should not be marred for anyone.. She' talked to Gloria about other Christmas parties she had attended and; lied her -room­ mate to talk of Christmas celebra­ tions she had seen. in. other parts of the world. By the time they were dressed Star had persuaded Gloria that none of the other passengers was aware of what had happened the day before. That, indeed Gloria would be more conspicuous by her absence than by being present at the rest of the fes­ tivities. Gloria agreed to go to break­ fast with her, but at the door she laid her hand hesitantly on Star’s arm. “I didn’t know there was a girl like you anywhere/’ she said shyly, “I hope we can always be friends.” "Of course/ Star assented eagerly-. “I’ve wanted so much to know some­ one I could talk,to ahd have fun with —as I can with you.” She passed Elise and Barton talk­ ing earnestly together as they leaned against the rajk There was no need to ask why they wdre so happy, but Barton insisted that she stop with them while he told her all about it, “I tool that I really owe my, new hmpptoss to you/* he said- to Star Elise added warmly, “I’m sure that I dp! It. frightens.me every time that I think that you might not have been on this Christmas cruise,” Star kissed Elise and congratulat­ ed Barton and left them with a warm glow around the emptiness in her heart. She had been avoiding even in her thoughts the explanation she knew she must make to Kent. How could she tell him that she had come on this cruise not — as Elise had so sweetly told her —- to bring happiness to others, but to make him suffer! Worst of all, the unhappiness she had cause him was, she knew now, unfair, And she was not eager to confess it to him, To reveal that her silly mistake about his name had been the cause of it all. Any other girl would have thought twice before as­ suming that John Kenneth Barrett a,nd Kent Barrett wetre the same just because they wpre both doctors. But she hadn’t hesitated! Dike a scatter­ brained idiot she had jumped to a conclusion, and now it was up to her to acknowledge how wrong she had been. Chapter XXX Star shook herself mentally. When Kent knew ver^ likely he would nev­ er want to see her again. She would have to watch that tender eagerness die out of his eyes, She would have to see him turn and leave her, and make no move to hold him back. Surely no man could go on loving a girl after he had listened to a con­ fession such as she had- to make, Star argued with herself.- But she had. the topaz ring. She had- not dared to wear it. Such a lovely ring! She had slept with it under her pillow last night and this morning she had look­ ed- at it for a long' time before put­ ting it in a safe corner in her trunk. The sender’s name had not been on the gift, but even, before she had glanced inside the narrow band she knew that the inscription would read “To Star from Kent.” She saw Kent several times that day, but she took care to be talking to Mrs. Jenkins or playing with Stuart so that he had no opportunity to do more than wish her a merry Christmas. His expression as he said it was so stern that -she wondered if he knew already what she had to tell him. She almost wished he did. But in her heart she knew that she would not escape that easily. Finally the dinner gong sounded. If she could just get through this day! Perhaps> tomorrow she would feel more like acknowledging the truth. Meanwhile it seemed a shame to spoil Christmas. She was delight­ ed when Gloria decided that she would come to dinner and, as she Had expected, her cabin mate’s presence kept Kent from saying anything more intimate than: “Don’t you like your" ring?” “It’s beautiful!” Star said sincerely. “But you’re not wearing it’ “I — I can yet.” Star avoided his questioning look. He did not ask why, but he left be­ fore dinner was over, explaining that he had to look after some of the pas­ sengers who were not well. Gloria turned curiously to Star after he had gone. “What’s the matter between you two?” . ’ “Nothing — really,” said Star evasiely. “I didn’t mean to pry/’ Gloria add­ ed, “but- if it will help you any to know that Kent is- madly in love with you, let me be the first to tell you.” Star blushed deeply. “I know. And I love him. But I haven’t any right to his love, not after what I’ve done.” Star would say no more and Gloria knew it was useless to press her. Meanwhile, Kent had -gone straight to the Underwood cabin arid knocked on the door., Stuart called in sur­ prise: “Star?” Kent opened the door. “No, Stuart, Star is still at dinner. I just wanted to talk to you for a minute before she comes in.” . ■ “I’m not sick.” Stuart was defin­ ite. “I’m glad to hear that/’ Kent an­ swered gravely, “but I didn’t expect you were. I want to ask you to do a favor for me, if you will.” “What?” asked Stuart practically. “You see —" Kent found that the child’s eyes were embarrassingly ob­ serving — “Santa Claus left a mes­ sage with me for Star.” “What message ?” “I can’t tell you that; it’s a secret. And I cO-uldn’t tell Star either/’ he added hurriedly, “because there were too many people around at dinner. But if you’ll ask her to come to the top deck about ten o’clock, i’ll be there and I can tell her then what the message is.” Stuart considered this request som­ berly while Kent’s heaft almost stop­ ped beating as he awaited the verdict. At last the boy,nodded his head tn agreement. , “1’11, tell her to come to the top deck at ten o’clock. But I won’t say it till she tells my story,” Star went slowly up the compan­ ionway, to her hand she clutched the ifttto ibex which contained the touaz; ring. Stuart had told her of Santa Claus' message just before she kissed him good night and she had promised that she would be on the top deck to receive it. The outline of Kent’s broad should­ ers blotted out the moon as she look­ ed toward' the bow of the ship. Al­ most at the same instant he saw her and came rapidly along ho deck. “Star!” , She trembled at the new note in his voice and for a second she could not speak at all. Then: “You wanted to see me?” she said .in a very- small voice, “I never wanted- anything so much. I had to talk to you, and you seemed to avoid me- Star—” desperately —<■ “you don’t love me, bub there's some­ thing—-I have to talk to you," he fin­ ished lamely, Star took a deep breath.. “Now!” she said to herself-. “Don’t say any­ thing more,” Her words came in a rush, “I have to tell you something that will make. you. hate me. Kent, do* you know why - I carrie on this cruise?” “It’s enough- for me that you. did come.” “No,” She could not look at him now. Half turned away and speaking straight into the darkness she,began her sorry little story. “Have you ever heard of a John Kenneth Barrett?" Kent seemed surprised. “John Kenneth Barrett? He’s a doctor, is7 n’t he? Someone once mentioned (the similarity of our names.- I remember now. He's in the service, too, On the west coast, I believe.” “I thought you were he.” “But — but why?” “I came on this trip for revenge/’ Star told him miserably, “John Ken­ neth Barrett neglected his father -~ walked/'off and left me to take care of him while he was ill and dying—” Kent did not interrupt while she told him how she had planned to humili­ ate her unknown fostei- cousin. “It seemed right when I started/’ she added in her own defense. “Humiliate him? What he should have had is a good sock in the nose!” Kent cried warmly. “No?” Star shook her head. “I had no right to act as I did. And I — I hurt you. I’m. sorry for that.” “Star!” Kent took a step toward her and then as if recollecting him­ self, stopped suddenly. Star noticed his action and flushed in the dark­ ness. .. “That’s the kind of a girl I am,” she said, “but I’m not the kind who would go off with Jack Coates. I mean, he only asked me to visit—” “I’ve known Jack Coates’ kind be­ fore/ Kent said grimly. “No matter how it looked, In knew you wouldn’t have left like that if he’d told you the truth.” “Well,GI guess that’s all then,” she said with a sigh. “Except to return' this to you.” / Kent; looked down at the little box as she held it out, and took it slowly. He turned it around in his hand be­ fore he said: “It isn’t much, I know. I just wanted to — to wish you a Merry Christmas. And I thought you might like it. But of course you have all the jewels you want.” He grasped her hands and pressed the ring back into them. “Anyway-— keep it. You can look at it sometim­ es and remind yourself that a poor ship’s doctor once dared to hope you might wear it.” “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Star said, bewildered. “I haven’t any jewels. And you certain­ ly can’t be as poor as I am. I don’t know if I’ll even have a job when*! get back.” \ Kent released her. hands only to grasp her shoulders more firmly. “Then your uncle didn’t leave you all his money? Oh, darling! Why didn’t yo-ti say so right away? I’ve been afraid to tell you how much I love you — how much 1 want you!” It seemed to Star that all the Christmas bells she had ever heard were chiming in her heart. With Kent’s arms around, her,, with his ring gleaming, in the moonlight aS her hand crept up to his cheek, she felt that she had never known what hap­ piness was before this.' The moon had, climbed almost ov­ erhead before she stirred and said, wonderingly: “I still can’t believe that this is I. When I took this Christmas Cruise I thought three weeks Would be long enough—” “Mmm—Kent interrupted, his lips on the cUrye of her chin, “did I ever tell you how adorable you are,? Why, you dear little idiot, a* lifetime Won't be long enough to hold all the hap­ piness we’re .going to have. This is a cruise that’s nevdr going to end—• tor u$." THE EHD