The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-05-18
Philip H. Bartholomew

for the mate Whoeoever that might be.
 the ebony-hued steward leaping in amiably to help solve the dilemma.
 .Who?" inquired Kettle meekly.
 T said the Pussah''; shouted the steward 1eas amicably.
 ''Oh yes, the Pussah,' echoed the the darky hurried. down the deck to call that official. Now everything will be alright" he added struggling to appear cheerful. The Pussah is coming right up."
 Whats that?" Elsie whined. breaking into 8 fresh and uncontrol- able torrent of tears.
 .'I don't know, but he's coming, ? growled Kettle angrily. as he stared amased at the freshet of emotion be- side him and wondered why all wo- men could not be like his adorable
 Chapter III.
 sWhat would you do if you found yourself taking trip with another mans wife?'' ettle asked, confidenti- ally taking the purser aside when that official appeared on deck. What?" he asked, startled but grinning under otandingly. Well, I'd show her a good time," he laughed.
 What would you do first?" begs the innocent Kettle, failing to under stand little wink the purser gave him by way of letting him know he eympathized-
 expert with a swift. knowing glance at sniffling Elsie. Yes, then I'd or der . cold bottle.''
 .s.Oh, that would never do,'' Kettle whispered, with an embarrassed glance at Elsie as he discreetly low cred Iii, voice; Woultdn't you wire ssYou bet ,your life I wouldn't" 16ukl5xd tlie Off1cfal Say, what are you dotnE anyhoW-k Kidding me ?' He looked deeply into Kettles eyes, then he added significantly If were for the rest of the afternoon Then turning on his heel before the out raged Kettle could remonstrate with him, he started down the deck. paus- ing moment, however, to look back. sT don't see what you people are in with irritating clarity and unneces- sary noise. 'I know if I were on my wedding trip I wouldn't care if the boat never got there"
 Did he say our wedding trip?" Elsie demanded. sitting both upright
 Sure. shouted the purser. "Ev- erybody on the ship knows that you two are on your wedding trip," with that parting shot he disappeared.
 Kettle stood spelbound He req lised for the first time in the excite ment of boarding the steamer no other passenger had observed which bride was Mrs. Kettle and which Mrs. Darling.
 .sDid you hear what he said?'' Ket- tie finally remarked as a new, un- Accustomed resolution seemed to come Fh l~~~ trip; and the whole boat knows of it."
 what are you going to do now ?' she begged frantically.
 Well. we are going to let them think so," he answered with unexpect- in utter misery as he went on to ex- plain that pretence was the only course left open to them now.
 ct would be terrible if they knew we were not married to each other," he told her. wen probably never see any of them in our lives. wen get on at the next stop. take boat back to Poughkeepsie and there we'll find Georgiana and your husband"
 "Oh.y she sobbed in her drench- ed handk erchief.
 At any rate Kettle made up his rNind to make the best of it. honey moon or no honeymoon. To his con- -sternation Elsie promptly discovered that she was hungry. She had not eaten a thing that whole day and she was growing faint, besides the din 1ng-room loomed up very invitingly 1t any longer Digging his hands m his pockets he found nothing but. a handful of small change. Georgiana had all his money in her handbag. Hopefully he appealed to Elsie, but all she could find was dime. To- xof1 fn fcA kx- one cents.
 Well, what will we do now" she asked opening her eyes in wide trust ing dependence.
 'tOh, that's the simplest hing I heard today" he replied eagerly. We don't eat"
 We don't eat" he echoed. again on the verge of tears. When Pm 30 hungry" she pleaded. A steward hurried along from the dining-room with a tray laden with tempting eati- bles and the sight of it only added to her new misery.
 To Kettles great relief he discov- cred Rivers idly sauntering around the deck. He was an old college pal and he concluded to appeal to him tor a loan. In fear and anxiety lest Rivers would discover the whole na- ture of their predicament, Elsie pro- tested but Kettle had resolved on ex- treKne measures, and when Rivers ap- preached. the little man seized him effusively.
 They told me you were on board and have been looking for you,'' ex- claimed Rivers gaily.
 Say, can you let me haxe fifteen dollars for a few days?" both begged eagerly. speaking simultaneously They started apart, staring at each other in bewilderment and Rivers broke into a hearty laugh. He had not a red cent outside his hotel ex- penses for the night and his carfare back, but a bridegroom without mon- ey was joke.
 'T gave 1t to my wife,. muttered Kettle under his breath.
 Well, why don't you ask her for if 2" demanded the mystifed Rivers The other turned pale and stepped away uneasily, stammering an excuse thAt AiverO openly doubted. She was