Williams news., 1917-12-27

pearl suspended between the blue o1 haze-veiled sky and the blue of conf1u ent waters.
 Arthur Rackham must have colored it," Lydia unused aloud.
 "Wait-this is only the overture wait till you see it as mean to show 1t to you-bridlepaths in Central park of a sunny morning, Broadway at night with a full head of steam on, South street at noon with the old sailing ships asleep in the sun and their fore feet up on the sidewalk, Fifth avenue at evening, lights like big pearls pop ping out through the purple dusk-'' Ostentatiously drawing a handker- chief from his cuff, Peter mopped his brows. Beg pardon. Being poetical under forced draft is a bit exhaust ing"
 "Your prose isn't anything to boast of. Henry James at his most arro- gant was never more unintelligible." l"
 "Oh, you'll wise up to it quick enough. But mind there1l be nothing doing in the poetry line after we're married. I know my limitations, and I couldn't stand the pace.'
 Here an apologetic steward caught Peters eye. Beg pardon, MT. Trait, but you're wanted in the dining sa- loon to acknowledge your declara- tion.'
 "Thanks," said Peter sulkily. "I presume it's got to be tended to. You, too, Miss Craven
 T,uo o1roodu r,,u edgment, Mr. Trait I'm so sorryi"
 T wish could believe you were l'' said Peter vindictively, and went mo- rose way without her.
 He would have been less downcast could he have guessed how soon the girl was to miss him. Alone and with out distraction, imagination was hag- ridden by the care of that wretched puzzle box. It was still safe in her possession-that was the worst of it i! Nevertheless, she had as yet said nothing to Craven about the attack in the fog, fearing lest he might insist resuming charge of the puzzle box i; and so, perhaps, put himself in the way of some perils more vital even than that which had befallen her. And her father was all she had!
 When they were free to stream down the gangway to the pier Craven, consigning Lydia to the care of Peter Trait, rushed off to commander the first available customs inspectors for himself and Mrs. Merrilees. So that it was Peter who piloted Lydia to c section, hunted up her trunk, and took her place in the rank at the chief inspectors desk; with the re- suit that the luggage of "L. Carteret, Spinster," was quickly passed, and, Peter reluctantly leaving her to pass his own impedimenta, she was at ib- erty to garner what diversion she might from the trials of others.
 In that section her father was duti- fully but perspiringly in optimistic endeavor to persuade his particular inspector that he hadn't perjured him. self in his sworn declaration. Notic- ing Lydia's indignant interest, Craven paused only long enough to lift a fur tive eyebrow and draw down the cor ners of his mouth, thus signifying a conviction that his troubles were wholly due to the pernicious interfer- ence of his political antagonists, even as predicted.
 She returned the least of mods, in- dicating that the puzzle box was safe--as it was, in her suede handbag, which, dangling from her wrist by it's leather strap, had quite escaped the attention of the inspector.
 Then, remembering Craven's hint that it would be well not to attract too much attention to their relation ship until clear of the customs, the girl father should be free.
 Over the way, in Section B, Lydia found Mrs. Beggarstaff, surrounded by an array of luggage. to do credit to an army corps, light of battle in her eyes, words of bitter wit upon her ready lips, in pitched combat with a graceless skeptic of, an inspector.
 Near by, three dock porters, two ship newsmen, half a dozen assorted citi- zens, and a brace of customs apprais- CTS whose duties were immediate and elsewhere, hung in breathless interest upon the issue of the fray, one and all grinning broadly.
 Lydia gathered an impression that the Dowager Dragon had found foe man worthy of her steel; then hurried on to Section M and Betty Merrilees.
 Greeting Lydia serenely, this last resumed her conversation with her as- signed inspector. You'll find every thing dutiable in the hat trunk and that big dresser trunk over there the two upper trayS-the receipted bills in the first tray-an except necklace. I have that here," she in dicated the metal box in her hands, "and the bill as we'll"
 Thanks, Mrs. Merrilees." The in spector looked up from her declara- ton in futile attempt to maintain his