Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-20
THE GIRL IN THE SECOND CABIN
BY e. j. RATH.
Copyright. 1925. By g. Ho,oard Vat

Have you walked since you've been
aboard this ship?"
You'd better call your witnesses
suggested Trask.
He ventured a glance at Miss Sands
She was sitting on the edge of her
chair, her lips pursed into an express
sion of bewiderment, her eyes bright
with excitement.
Once more Capt. Blodgett turned to
Aunt Mehetabel, the public prosecu.
tor.
Have you seen this man walk"
walk, run and jump" answered
Aunt Mehetabel, with undisguised
pleasure.
ing his glance toward Lucille Kent.
Have you seen this man walk?"
The goddess hesitated.
mot walk" she said. II saw him
stand
And you know him as Trumbull?"
She nodded, but with apparent reluc.
lance. For an instant her sorrowful
eyes met those of Trask in a passing
glance.
Did he tell you anything about
HIMSELF"
"He said--he had been shot--in the
limbs" she murmured. Il was very
sorry for him. I wanted to do all I
could to make his voyage pleasant.
You see, he was an invalid"
The little person from the second
cabin was leaning forward, her glance
fixed steadily upon the goddess. She
seemed to be weighing something in
her mind, and swiftly calculating.
scrutiny to Trask
Were you shot in the legs?" de-
manded Capt. Blodgett, suddenly turn.
ing to the patient.
You will have to ask my physician,
DR.. Van Norden.''
And would, by thunder!" doomed
the captain. ''if my wireless wasn't
out Of commission. I'd mighty soon
find out whether you're Trumbull or
Trask. or what you arer'
He turned and bestowed forocious
look upon Mrs. Kent, who sat quiet
and rather fearful, her hands folded
In her lap.
What do you know about this man,
madam"
"Only-only what has already been
said" faltered Mrs. Kent.
Capt. Blodgett made a gesture of
Impotence and paid no further atten.
ton to the goddess mother.
And now you, young lady" The
captain scanned a list that lay on the
table before him. You're Miss Sands
from the second cabin"
Yes
II understand you were seen talk.
ing to this man."
Yes"
did he give you his name?"
Eyes"
what was it?"
Sidney Sands had answered three
questions very readily and quietly
ferocity of the Gulf Stream com
mander. Now she paused before re-
plying, turned her glance deliberately
toward the ceiling and studied a
cluster of electric bulbs.
81 think" she said finally, "that
his name began with a IT,
Capt. Blodgett shook his head
angrily.
"Was it 'Trask'?'
She glanced evenly at her inquisitor
for several seconds. then answered.:
"On reflection, l am sure that it
began with IT,
you'll have to do better than that,
madam" blurted Capt. Blodgett.
"You will please not address me In
that manner again." observed Miss
Sands placidly. II do not have to
do anything, or say anything, simply
because you tell me to do so in a very
offensive manner. All have to do is
to comply with the rules Of your ship.
and I am not conscious that have
violated any of them"
Capt Blodgett went purple to his
eyes. There was a rumbling deep
within his throat, but no words issued
therefrom for fully half a minute.
Aunt MehetabePs eyes blazed as
they looked at the small person
perched opposite her. The goddess
was plainly shocked, as well as aston
ished. Trask wanted to cheer; not be-
cause, for some unexplained reason,
Sidney Sands was trying to turn her
self into witness for the defense, but
in recognition of her calm little de-
fiance of the master of the. ship.
He tried to catch her glance and
bestow a wordless thank Offering, but
she did not look at him. Her eyes
never fiinched from those OF Capt.
Blodgett.
II apologize, madam If my manner
offended you." said the officer after a
tense pause
II accept your apology" she replied.
imperturbably.
as it possible. Miss Sands. that you
don't remember whether he said Il