The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-14
TWO

Young Moon. What"-sotto wce-'are you laughing at this time?"
 Nothing" said the smallest drJad meek ly, though she gurgied under her breath.
 Wed better go now, and I'll come back, :" hastily suggested Peter. Don't bother to change behind the screen for us, please. must ask my sister .bout the dress
 He got the others out which was not diff ficult. Peter returned in due course to the room of the mirrors, because Miss Child could not be allowed to get into the Young Moon,' in such weather for nothing.
 She was in when he arrived. And pluck, mingled with excite. .nent, having had truly hracing effect on the girls, in the ab- of the peer they were nice to the plebian. The girl in the Young Moon, to be sure, had scarcely anything to say, but she had peculiarly fascinating way of not saying it.
 By the time Mr. Rolls had bought the "Moon" fer his sister he had become quite friendly with the other dryads the ltrength of few simple jokes.
 II wondering" he said at last, when he was about to go, whether you'd care fo~ me to bring you some Balm of Gilead?"
 Balm of Gilead?" all five, even the girl in the Moon" exclaimed.
 'Yes. Stuff for seasickness. Not that you are seasiek, of course. But the balm's good preventive. l don't need it myself, but know it's all right, because it's making my father fortune"
 Did Re invent it?" inquired one dryad.
 No. But he named it and he sells 1t. The barber has no end of bottles. I'll go and buy you one now It tastes good. Back in 10 minutes" And he was gone.
 When Peter returned he had bottle and < clean napkin and five teaspoons. ''l got these things off dining room steward" he explained
 Sounds like a conjuror,' nlurnured the girl who laughed.
 How rude of your' Miss Devereaux seold- ed in a whisper. Don't mind her. MT. Rolls. She isn't bit like the rest of us"
 Peter had noticed that.
 ''Shes always laughing at everything and everybody too," went on Miss Devereaux.
 She's welcome to laugh at me-" said Peter. "I enjoy it."
 T don't laugh at people. laugh at the world" the model defended herself.
 Why" inquired Peter, with a straight look at the queer, arresting face.
 To keep it from laughing at me first. And to make it laugh with me--if can.''
 Do you think you can?"
 Il shall try hard-against the biggest odds: And whatever it does to me, sha'n't cry"
 T shouldn't wonder if that wasn't the whole secret of lifev' said Peter Rolls, con- .inujng to look at the face.
 While the storm held Peter Rolls went several times each dreadful day to the room VI tut anu OOSCO HE 0A SoOo "'Shi Balm of Gilead.
 Nadine had been obliged to take first-class tickets for her models, otherwise the rules of the ship would not have allowed them past the barrier, even in the pursuit of busi- ness. They were, to be sure, theoretically able to take exercise at certain hours, weather permitting; but weather did not permit. and four of the dryads, when free, sought distraction in lying down rather than walking. It was only the fifth who would not take the weather's mo" for an answer. From s to 10 she staggered and slid up and down the wet length of the least-frequented deck, CT Hoped and gasped joyously for a few minutes in an unclaimed chair
 There Peter Rolls came across her some what by accident. It would have been a mockery to say good evening" on night so vile, and he began by asking Miss Child , if he might walk with her.
 Or tango" said she. This deck is teach In9 ne some wonderful new steps,"
 Did you ever dance the tango?" he wanted 10 know.
 'Yes. In another state of existence"
 That sileDced him for an instant. Then te ;kipped at least two speeches ahead, whither his thoughts had flown. Say, Miss Chil3, l wish you'd tell me something about yours elf
 There isn't anything interesting to tell, iEaHk you. Mir Rolls.