Evening star., 1925-08-16

Grant found his way presently on
to the bridge and walked for an hour
in the roar of the wind and with the
spray dashing continually in his face.
Towards the hour of twilight there
was a faint yellow line of light west
ward-the only parting in the ever
gathering clouds.
What do you think Of it. Captain"
Grant asked
I'm thinking she's the grandest
little weather boat I've ever been on. .
the latter replied. IAN the same it's
as well we're on the southern route.
We might have lost boat or two. 1t
will be down before morning, sir"
Grant. Curiously excited by the
storm, changed for dinner a little be-
fore his usual time and made his way
to the tiny smoke room. Brookes was
already there mixing cocktails
We Will have bottle of the spe-
cial Clicquot tonight" Grant ordered.
Her HiGhness is dining, l believe.
sir, the man told him. 'She said
that she felt much better"
Grant nodded, furious with himself
that the Indifference with which he
replied was only assumed. He stood
IN the Swaying room, holding on to
one of the fixed chairs, bitterly resent
ing the sudden access of weakness
dread her coming. Then he heard an
unexpected sound THE sound of her
laughter silvery, almost gay. as she
came cautiously in. holding on to the
wall. He stepped forward TO meet her
and led her 70 4 chair. She looked at
him ,wonderfngly. ...s
Whatever have you been doing.
Grant," she exclaimed. What A
color YOU have. You look as though
something marvellous had happened. :"
He shook his head.
Just the storm. >" he answered. 1T
WIS wonderful this afternoon
She nodded.
II watched it from my portfolio. In
way it excited me, too. l was glad
you sent your little message. Grant ="
She looked at him and the fingers
which held his glass shook. She was
wearing a simpler dress even than
the night before-a gown of black and
silver brOCade, whose only fastening
was Girdle around her waist. 1t was
cut low at the throat and she was
wearing no jewelry, not even her
pearls. 10 conceal the white softness
OF her neck When he looked AT her
arms he saw that the sleeves were
wide and loose.
Il am afraid that | was a little
churlish last night" he confessed.
and ! didn't mean to be, Gertrude :
She caught al his fingers and held
them for q moment.
You are a dear. Grant" she said,
but YOU do carry the exeCutioner' $
knife with you. Tonight let us for
get. | think I. too. have the storm in
my heart. Let us forget the pain
that comes when one remembers
when one passes on to solitude You
shall be my agreeable compa Mon at
dinnertime, and we will lima gine that
afterwards-well. what shall | say?-
Otto Is waiting for me in the lounge
YOU are on your way up to solve
bridge problems AT Lord Yeovil's. But
We dine together
IF we dine at all" Grant laughed
as the spray suddenly beat against
the portfolio. This may put the fires
out"
The hugle has gone anyhow" she
answered.
She was forced to cling to him along
the passa ge. He had. even. once to
support her. In the saloon everything
had been made fast as far as possible,
and deep fiddles were upon the table.
unimpaired Gertrude had found her
appetite. SO also had Grant. Con
versa ton became suddenly a pleasure.
1t. was as though the whole awkwa rd-
ness. the whole tragic significant of
their presence alone in the middle of
the Atlantic had been swept away.
She began to talk of Berlin. the efforts
Of the aristocracY to reinstate them.