The Washington times., 1920-01-30


w oushly,@ she insisted,
w "and shan't mind shar-
ing in the least II may be anus
log n the other woman is pleasant
7 don't think you and had better
know each other too we'll to begin
with, do you? We can pretenS TO
make friends as the voyage goes
ON. or shall we say that we were
at school togethery
LET us say as little as possible.
said April, who had an objection 10
telling lies, even little white ones
But Diana did not share her scrupies
and plainly averred her intention
Of SPINNING a yarn" to anyone VINO
asked questions.
In a whirl OF excitement they ar.
rived at the docks and were nustie"
with the rest OF the crowd up tne
steep gangway that led to the deck
of the Uniop-Castle Company's iat'
est and most modern liner. the Cia'-
endon Castle.
April. who had exchanged, her
cloth coat for Diana's sables. felt
the eyes OF the world burning ana
piercing through the costly furs TO
The secret in her bosom. But Diara
felt no such discomfort Jubiiant
in her new found liberty. she paced
the decks, inspected the ship. mace
friends with the first officer ana
severaI passengers. and finally went
down to lunch in the dining saloon.
she seated herself at the general
table, and as a number OF merry
people were toasting each ohe
farewell in champagne she thouSht
IT. only fitting to order a half-pottle
for herself. Some OF the women
looked at her curiously, but tnat
did not daunt Diana
April. placed at some distance IN
Rolitary state. noted anc envled the
coolness and composure OF her tel,
low eonspirator. she, TOO. mao
meant to be one OF the general
crowd, but already the news OF her
rank and state had tickled the ears
of the chief steward. and she founo
herself reverently waylaid and con
ducted with ceremony to small
table whence she could gaze anu
be eazed upon by the rest or the
world without fear OF contamina-
tiou.
A steward, told off for her spc-
cial service, hovered about her like
a guardian angel. and during the
meal a eold-braided personality ap-
prosched and, murmuring the cap
4afn's compliments, hoped that
when the voyage had once started,
she would grace his table by hef
presence.
II Is a phenomenon well known to
travellers that when the last warn
ing bell rings on board departing
ship all the pretty women and IN
tcresting men go ashore, leaving
only the dull and fussy ones DC
bind. Diana and April, however
were not depressed by this spec
tsclc, for, to the former. in her po-
sition Of freelance. all men looked
interesting land all women super
fuous. while April. in full posses
sion Of the beautifully appointed
stateroom on the promenade deck.
10 which she had retired directly
after lunch. was too busy review
ing her position to think about fell
low-passengers just then.
She was bothered over the bust
ness of sitting at the captains
table. She had seen him on the
boat deck as she came aboard, and
her heart failed her at the thought
Of deceiving such a genial. kindly
looking man. II was plain that the
experiment OF taking people in"
was not going to be so pricelessly
funny as she had anticipated. She
said so to Diana who came to her
cabin as soon, as the ship started TO
make - selection OF clothes. But
Diana would listen 10 mono OF her
virtuous backslidings.
You can't back out now" she
said firmly "A bargains bargain,
and I've told everyone I am April
Poole, going 70 Africa 70 be a gov
erness. and all the ship knows you
are Lady Diana Sandilands. We
should be q spectacle for the gods
n we changed back now. No one
would believe us, either. Wed only
be looked upon with suspicion for
The rest Of the voyage, and all our
fun and pleasure spoiled. For good
ness sake, don't be an IDIOT"
That was all the slightly con-
seience-strickep April got for her
pains; and Diana sta1ked or
triumphant, Juggling a suitcase and
an armful OF wraps. April heard
her explaining to q ste~ardess In
the corridor that her baggage had