Evening star., 1923-07-08
Again" :" she cried.

places. unfathomable rock pools. i'm
mune from the busy surf, and beset
with coral islets, archways and
caves Here il was possible to
plunge into an unknown world and,
with Felisi's hand tight clasped in
hers. explore it's mysterious laby-
rinths as long as breath would last.
Then came the respite, prone at the
waters edge, looking down into the
cool green depths with their sway
ing weed and rafbow fish:
why plan and strive and plan again,
While all things earthly pail?
What goal at last will you attain?
Come down and end ii all
chanted Mrs. Strobe in a low con-
tralto. and Felisi called for more.
but of sudden the lonely lady had
fallen silent
II wonder" she unused. still star
ing downward with a strange fixity;
II wonder what he would do. -
And Felisi wondered too. 1t was a
weakness of hers.
A BOUT o'clock that day John
n Strobe became aware of a diff
ference-a vaguely disturbing ele-
ment. if you wilI-in his usually pre-
occupied existence.
The hutch was hot; but it was not
that He tried to ignore the annoy
ance, but failed He thrust it from
him. but it returned with maddening
persistence. Finally he turned
abruptly in the swivel chair. crossed
the room, and stood looking in be-
mused fashion through one of the
ports.
A cloud of gannets fecked the in
tense blue of the sky. dropping now
and again like stones upon their
prey. The sea. sIashed by the white
ribbon of the barrier reef. rose and
fell, as though breathing in its sleep.
The eternal sun shone down.
Strobe turned from the port WIKI
a frown of baff1ed annoyance.
Then, one by one. sluggishly. the
small realities of life began to filter
into his consciousness. He glanced at
his watch. 1t had stopped-because
he had forgotten to wind it. He was
hungry, Why? Perhaps he had had
nothing TO eat What about break
fast and lunch? 1t must, be
after noon. Curious. He grunted,
flung open the door of the hutch. and
went on deck
His train of thought had been de-
rallied by hunger; that was what had
happened to John Strobe. But he was
aware only of the accidents curious
wandered over the yacht, that he had
Just returned from a long journey.
Everything was familiar, yet strange
Iy new; and something was lacking.
he felt il. but his mind refused to sup
ply the deficiency. In the saloon he
mixed himself stiff brandy and soda.
"Befuddled" he muttered angrily.
Must have been at it longer than 1
thought"
[ Suddenly he caught sight of his face
in a mirror. and went nearer to ex-
anime IL more closely. There were
shadows under the eyes that empha-
sized their already unnatural bril-
llanCe, the CHcchS NciC hoiioW civ
the beard disgracefully unkempt.
Strobe stretched his clenched fists
above his head until his joints cracked
with the unaccustomed tension.s and
as he did so caught reflected in the
glass a glimpse of the far corner of
the saloon behind him-a standard
lamp with a rose shade, guitar
standing propped against it, and an
empty armchair.
TSHE little picture conveyed nothing
i to Strobe beyond the same ags
eravating impression of incomplete
ness. He turned and crossed the sa-
loon. Lying on the arm of the chair
was one of his own socks, a darning
needle caught in the wool. He picked
it up and examined it mechanically,
then dropped it with a short laugh.
for it had told him what was lacking
aboard the Ajax, and to think 1t had
not occurred to him before was really
rather amusing. He rang the bell.
Parks" he demanded of the startled
Individual who appeared in the door
way, where is Mrs. Strode?"
MRS. Strobe. left early, sir"
..Did she leave any messages"
mo, sir
"But--have you no idea where she
has gone?'
4 & -