Evening star., 1914-08-09


to travel without at least chaperon. These transat
1antic boats all alive with adventures. Luckily
you now have me-unless, perhaps you're too high
spirited to utilize an old woman's INTEREST,"
you're very kind Miss Carteret murmured-n
altogether insincerely She was too intelligent be
blind the advantage of having thorough paced
Dowager Dragon to protect and advise her. And she
was anything but anxious to incur i'll will by refusing
offer that, however forward, seemed unquestion-
ably to be dictated by the kindest spirit.
3Im glad you think so-or have the grace to say So
at least. So that's settled. Now tell me more about
yourself. Is this your first crossng?'
4It's my first trip home
Plainly help for with this persistently friendly
body catechzing her, she might well now as later
stand and deliver some account of herself.
4Your first trip home? That means you We been
long time?'
aA my fe," the girl admitted. Al was born in Lon
don and when | was very young my parents returned
to America, leaving behind because they expected
to be gone only little time Then my mother died in
New York. and my father went into business there and
thought better off where was, in the of friends
than with him.
4But surely this in shocked expostulaton, "he
came back to see you!'
aOh, indeed he did often; that is considering the
difficulties the long voyages and the fact that he
isn't rich man. But haven't seen him recently-not
in several years
@And you're going to join him.
@Yes,' Miss Carteret affirmed in voice that be-
trayed more doubt than she suspected.
pU before her asute inquistor could take advantage
of the weakness her tone suggested there befell an
interruption. 1t nothing extraordinary than
a knock the stateroom door; but it brought Miss
Carteret to her feet with start again pale and trem
bling
@Oh' she cried in alarm. ooh, what is that?" In
voluntarily she stepped back to put much space
possible between herself and the door,
Mrs. Beggarstaf watched her in open wonder.
"That-' she repeated.
The girls hands fa1tered at her throat and bosom.
1See!' she begged. @See what it is-pleasel"
4It's only the stewardess. l rang for her sometime
ago.
ooh, if that's all!' Miss Carteret down again.
aBut can YOU be sure?" she demanded with another
startled movement.
Il think So" returned the elder woman. After
other long and questioning glance she lifted her voice
and called as that you, Stewardess?"
ayes, Madam feminine voice responded. 4You
range'
aOne moment" Mrs Beggarstaff looked back at the
girl. @You don't object to my letting her n9"
4Oh no." Miss Carteret insisted hastily. 4Please
don't mind me- I'm very nervous-haven't been
well. was startled-that is all
$50 see," said Mrs. Beggarstaf with quizzica ac
cent. @Come in"
The door opened, admitting smiling apple-cheeked
middle-aged Englishwoman
@Shut the door-there! So many people running up
and down. How do start, Stewardess9'
an FIVE minutes. Madam-on the hour
Good! Now | want you to book my bath. Eight
o'clock sharp every morning, mind, and the water
comes out of the If l catch you temperng it
with hot, cent of mine will you at the end of
the voyage
Il sha' mt forget, Madam
@And Miss Carteret doubtless wishes to arrange for
her bath too"
@Yes, I should, agreed the girl. @Wll you mind if
| have mine half an hour earlier?'
"AIind Child, when it you'll clear out of the
and leave free celebrate the awful mysteries
of my Indian summer toilet? Mind! Poh!'
"Than I'll make yol1rS 'a1f-past seven MiSso"