The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-10-15
The sy MAY CHRISTIE Dis tur bing Kis s.
 LXXII.-DELIA'S DIrL LOMACY
LXXII.-DELIA'S DIPLOMACY
copyr,gn. 1921. by The Mccur- newspaper 5yndcat.

You may drink another glass Of champagne. and then lie down ana sleep," said Della to her patient tucking her up on the sofa and drawing a shade across the porthole. It's only o'clock. and at I'll call you. You'll wake up feeling a dif- ferent girl.
 T don't think I could fall asleep" protested Natalie feebly. Della in authoritative mood was something new and very strange.
 Nonsense" my dear. You've had 8 shock. But you can sleep 1t off all right. Drink thi1" She held the champaigne to her lips. That's a good child. That.ll make you sleepy. Besides, it will be quite an hour be- fore your clothes are dry" She pumped up one of the pillows en- practically comfortable. eh? Keep your head low. I'll sit with you for a bit. But no talking allowed"
 Natile closed her eyes. and pres ently fell sound asleep.
 Della felt herself extremely clever and strategic.
 In an hours time they would reach Ossy's river bungalow. where the launch was kept. Farrel Gait, who was now aboard, could be then snug gled out of view. It would be in expedient for him and Natalie to meet. Firstly, because the girl had definitely broken with the man, ana if She chose to cut him publicly the situation would be awkward. Secondly, Della had led Natalie to e. lieve that she herself disapprovad of the fascinating eFarrel, and had broken with him. And, thirdly. if Natalie went home and told her uncle that the lady he admired and toward whom he possibly had matrimonial intentions was quite content to spend long day on the river in party which included Mir. Ducane's "bete noire." her own prestige with the rich gentleman might be 'queered' considerably.
 Farrel was In grumpy mood to- day, so 1t would be useless to ap- roach him and beg him to keep out of sight!
 Ut would only make him furious" thought Della. NO, The scheme Is to keep Natalie below for another hour. And l hope to goodnes Ossy lis entertaining the meddlesome sec retary fellow, so that he and Far rel don't come to blows"
 Her thoughts went back to the scene which had occurred between these two young men on MT. Du- canes doorstep-a scene which Far rel had, half -shamefacedly, detailed to her.
 Young Danby knows too much about his past to make further meetings comfortable" thought the widow. glancing at Natalie's sleep ing face. How sweetly pretty the ;-J ad 1.,ftb Ia d1 dark curls trailing across the pillow. and her red lips parted. like baby s! Ossy admired her very much, and Della was inclined to think that the little mans allegiance might easily be transferred from herself In Nata- lie's direction.
 Though I don't want to marry him. his affections mighty useful in my chronically hard-up state, sol iloquized the lady.
 She rose very softly. crossed to a small mirror set into panel of the cabin wall, and stared at her reflec- ten,
 The shaded light was very kind to her She looked extremely handsome. Carefully she flickered powder on her nose and chin, added the merest touch of rouge on the cheek bones and brought her lip stick into heavy action.
 Then. adjusting her hat to a be- coming angle and fluffing out some strands Of hair in imitation of Miss Natalie's negligee style of coiffure, she quietly left the cabin and went upstairs to the deck.
 Greatly to Delia's relief, there was no sign of Maurice Danby. Ossy 100, was missing from the deck. The older members of the party, needless of the scenery. were indulging in 2 game of bridge. And in a secluded spot sat Farrel Gait. cloud upon 1 his brow. and one of Ossy's big cigars between his teeth. That you. Della? Been fussinH 1, over Mir Ducanes niece like fright ened hen whose chick has taken tc the water, chr he queried, pleasant ly. grinning over his own wit "That'i literally true, isn't it?" ] Della sank into basket chair be- side him, and said. placatingly:
 "The poor child was neari, drowned. my dear. l did feel sorr, for her"
 "H'm. Don't waste your pity Sh' can look after herself. all right Be sides. 1t was all her own darn-foo l fault. drifting down mid-stream witl that fellow cooing in her ear, ant