Evening star., 1926-12-14
LVv WHAT'S the idea, Keel
SS n err" he asked mildly.
NV Why. sir, I"
What are you made
up for-college?'

I'm sorry, Mr.. Trumbull: I didn
mean to keep you waiting. But you
said two hours, sir"
Never mind that part; that's all
right. It's the wardrobe that COM
mands my attention. You are SIM
ply gorgeous, Keeler. But why?
Well you see, Sir----
Keeler was actually blushing now.
Certainly see. It's impossible to
zee anything else" remarked Trask.
''3ut | would love to understand. Is
this part of DR.. Van Norden's treat
ment?"
The nurse made gesture of depre-
cation.
IT'S like this, Mr. Trumbull. The
suit I vas wearing needed mendlng
and pressing, sir. II was rather shah
by. as maybe you noticed. So took
the chance while you We're on deck
TO send it down to the ships valet.
And all had to wear was this, sir.
And you've Just been waiting 10
ger your clothes prcssed?"
That's it, sir; absolutely"
But that doesn't explain where you
ever accumulated such a beautiful
makeup, Keeler 1t fascinateS me-"
Would you mind waiting while i
change. Mr.. Trulnbull?'
Keller made n step in the. direc-
ton Of the adjoining stateroom, but
was halted by a peremptory conf
mand.
Don't change, beg of you. You
are magnificent just as you are.
Who's your tailor?"
Please, sir, would you mind letting
up on me? I'm sorry you saw me
this way; it won't happen again"
But I was hoping it was per
manent, keeler. Ordinarily you re-
mind me too much Of an undertaken.
This makes you positively human.
You must have been a gay boy In
your time, Keller
Keeler disclaimed the distinction
with a shrug.
You seemed dressed for party.
Do YOU ever go to parties, keeler?
i've no time for them. sir. I'll
get your milk now, if you please
wait. Keeler. Let's talk. It's do
ing me worlds of good, just to look
at YOU. Can you dance?"
Keeler's face wore q shocked eX-
preston.
Il never thought of such a thing,
Mr. Trumbull.
Really? You never danced?'
Never, sir"
.'Keeler, you are liar"
Trask said it very pleasantly. he
accompanied the words with good
natured smile. Keeler stiffened Wis
ibly, but he was more offended than
angry. -.
5 "Who's the little girl with the
brown hair, Keeses7s ss5.s 70 ~,
The figure of the nurse crumpled.
There was a chair near by and he
sat In it despondently. His eyes were
downcaSt, and 1t was several seconds
T. tod ~ meat the
gaze of Trask.
''You saw me, then, sir?" he ven
tured.
II had that very great pleasure" :"
acknowledged Trask. Whats the
name of that forward and back step,
with the little side twist?''
Keeler's hands fumbled with each
other
But, chiefly. who is the LADY,
"She's-a-second cabin passenger,
sir You'd not be interested.
I'm immensely interested. What S
her name?"
''I don't know, Sir
How did you discover herr
Keeler was becoming increasingly
restless.
May / change my clothes now,
sir"
You'll never change them, if I
have anything 10 say about 1t. You re
a joy. Who is she?''
Truly, ] don't know her name,
sir. II just met her at the dance.
You went a-dancing and you met
q lady. 1t sounds romantic. What
does her name sound like
Tit sounded something like
Sands, sir
Good! We're getting along. And
this lady whose name sounds some
thing like Sands-she's very nice
lady. ! take it,"
Wonderful, sir
Keeler spoke with sudden enthusi-
asm, recollected himself and relapsed
into a posture of detection and guilt.
+, "Keeler, have you cigarette about
you?"
Mr. Trumbullv'
Il Tut. tut, keeler. III take a cigar
X; cite, if you please. I'm sure that
ifDr. Van Norden----"
III Keeler sighed and reached into a
/, coat pocket. from which he drew
/. forth a paper package.
If, II really shouldn't. sir; but -----'
Ili Trask reached for the cigarettes and
i helped himself. With shake of his
llihead Keeler handed him a match.
1.-THE cigarette lighted, Trask lounged
i back i'm his chair again and smoked
for a minute.
HI Life is a series of compromises,
i Keeler,' he observed contentedly.
I'VE are just beginning to understand
E each other. Now, tell me all about
this secondcabin affair. I'm sure to
4 he sympathetic. I envy you this
/. minute. II l could have been in your
j. place a quarter of an hour ago l
4 should be entirely happy. But 1t Is
I better to sit In the gallery, even II
1. - 61 Eh
|! not to see it at all. Come, keeler. )"
iA May smoke, sir?'
ri "Do. l insist
II Keeler tapped cigarette on the
4 back of his hairy hand. applied u
/ match to it and inhaled deeply.
k There are some things that are
just between you and me. Sir. he
II Nprefaced.
III Trask nodded.
|n We'll. its something like this. Mr.
ii i,Trumbull. ] haven't always had
very cheerful life, sir. I've had ups
Land downs, as they say. I've worked
II hard, mostly. There's not much
amusement in my present profession
m sir. There's times ! have to get a
change. Partly that accounts for
these clothes. They're a change, as
4 perhaps you've noticed"
N "Emphatically.
1t "On duty, sir, l dress quietly and
fn a proper manner. But if I have
an hour or SO off, Mr.. Trumbull, why
chats different And yet ] try ia
Keep things in good taste. You don't
shink there's anything loud or offen
sive, sir. in this suit?'
TITS exquisite" said Trask.
Thank you. sir Well. you see, II
was this looking for a change that
took me down into the second cabin
When the lady, Miss Kent, said shed
look after you a while. il seemed like
a good chance for me. l didn't in
tend to stay more than an hour; t's