Evening star., 1924-01-27

AAAooI pay All years ioi ~. 40 ~ poS-
sible that you, a regular transat-
lantic traveller. do not know of this?'
She spoke to me very calmly. rather
to my surprise.
"Dr. Hough, your. age and your
position on this ship apparently en-
title you to be insufferably insolent
in forcing your way into my room
however. we will let that pass. You
ask me various questions about Mr.
Hansen. I do not choose to answer
your questions, nor explain my ac-
tions. AS 1 told you before. happen
to have like this young man"
This young mani was imme-
diately confirmed in the conviction
that she merely found the boy anus
ing.
and to have chosen to allow
him to talk to me. Is there anything
further?'
One thing. There are mighty few
sins. l believe, but one of them Is to
play with some one you don't care
for
She laughed mockingly and moved
toward the door. Really, doctor, you
are amusing. though 1 find your moral
guidance somewhat dull
And for my part, madam, l must
request you to note that should you
endeavor to make a practice of enter
tanning the ships officers in your
cabin we shall be obliged to place a
steward in attendance to enforce the
rules OF the ship!"
sas y x
~ / bowed and walked out and be-
took myself to Charley's cabin. He
was sitting in his chair and got UP
stifiy when entered. l shut the door
behind me.
Charley" said, "sit down" /
filled my pipe. He sat down, sheepish
and defiant in one breath, and started
TO speak.
BE quiet" I continued. at am still
your superior officer and 1 am speak
ing. You know the rules OF this COM
pany. If 1 report this to the captain
you will be under arrest in ten min
utes, and il you get to sea again 1t
will be before the mast. I suppose
you've thought OF that"
Yes, sir" he replied, stifify What
are you waiting for?''
Because / don't happen to be a
young fool like yourself. She is a
beautiful spectacle and she wears her
clothes eXcellently; she is A master
of suggestion; she has delightful
voice, an extremely unpleasant and
reckless temper"
How do you know
Don't you?"
Yes, but"
You have had more opportunity
I suppose so; but you haven't seen so
much. for gazing SO hard. She has
one thing, however. that alters all
the virtues and garces I've credited
her with, so far as you're concerned"
''WelC"
She has more cunning, more brains
in her little finger than you have in
your whole body.
"All 1 wish, Charley. is that you and
she would go and live together for
six solid months-in a place where
murder is unpunished."
He looked at me fercely
Thing you're witty, don't you?" he
enarled.
mo" I replied. quietly. Listen. lad.
I seem to remember rather distinctly
a. good mnay of your thoughts as
you've expressed 'em to me over sew
eral years. on and off. You've told
me a good deal about your ideas on
responsibility. and duty to the serv-
ice, and the beauty OF things about
you on the seattle open sky, the
feel Of the bridge plank5 under your
feet, authority, promotion, all the
rest of it. Do you remember"
His face was troubled.
None OF US cares especially about
your solitary individual self-exoept
maybe me. But we all care about the
way YOU do your job. the way you
keep your part OF the honor Of the
merchant service. If you're dismissed
a good deal more happens than the
mere personal discomfort to you. Do
you ever think of that? You used to-
up to five days ago.
Yes" he said, in rather straine ed
voice. I tried to hit, perhaps the only