Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-23
BY *. j. RATH.
(CoDvrisAk 1925. b. q. Hoseard wess-t

time, and ACCOMPANYING the words
with an offer of his arm, Rather to
his own establishment, she accepted
his escort without a murmur.
sHe retraced his steps toward the
after part of the ship, the girl walking
silently at his side. The only act of
apparent volition on her part was the
withdrawal of her hand from his ann
after they had passed from the sight
of the two youths so unceremonious.
ly bereft of her company.
Not until they reached an alcove
near the stern did Trask stop. He
bowed her to a chair, but she made
no move to take it.
II think what we have TO say will
take a very brief time" she observed
in cool, quiet voice.
"I beg to differ" said Trask. at
may take at least half an hour. And
thank you for not dismissing me in
the presence of your friends"
II am not in the habit of inflicting
my affairs upon my friends or &C.
quaintances. Mr.. Trask--if that is
your name. Please he very brief. If
it Is an apology. don't bother with 1t.
1 prefer not to be annoyed with one. "
Very well. I'll not apologize.
shall merely tell you some things.
After that you may do as you please
--pofna pS-
She looked up quickly at the last
word. but waited for him to proceed.
Her lips were set firmly. her eyes cool
and steady. AS she stood facing him
he had an impression that she was
an inch or two taller than usual: per-
haps Ii was because she held herself
with a prim erectness.
Trask noted these things with sat
lsfaction; he liked her the better for
them. He mentally thanked his stars
that she did not storm. or weep, or
display any Of the customary agita.
ton OF an angry young woman.
Suppose" he said. that you had
been hired for $500 to perform a
certain piece of work that. if unusual
was at least not dishonorabe; was not
of a nature calculated to damage any
person, and that only took a fort
night of your time? Suppose you
| never saw so much money in your
| life as $500. Suppose you were out
of a job when the offer was made
Would you accept it?"
II don't know" she answered. SIS
| this what you came to tell me?"
Part of it. Really, 1 think well
| be less conspicuous, Miss Sands. if we
sit down. And l shall need at least
| half an hour"
Without reply. she went over to the
deck chair he had offered and sat
He drew second chair alongside
| initiated her example and began his
story.
For several minutes Sidney Sands
| listened impassively. He had placed
| her where the moonlight partly illu
| minated her face and watched her in
| tently as he spoke.
| 1t seemed at first to Trask that he
| might as we'll have poured his tale
| into the ear of recording phono
graph for all the response that il
awakened in her. Occasionally she
looked directly at him, but for the
greater part of the time her gaze was
seward.
Yet he knew that she was listening
| intently.
He had reached that chapter OF his
misfortunes dealing with the exploits
| of his runaway wheelchair, when he
| thought he detected the first outward
display of emotion in her. 1t consisted
merely in an almost imperceptible
| tightening of her lips.
A moment later there was a flick
ering of an eyelid. Two minutes after
| that she began drumming on the arm
of her chair, following which she
wrinkled her nose. She looked up al
him as he related the mishap of the
| man who did not fall overheard, then
quickly glanced away and began bit
| ing her under lip.
Presently Trask noticed she had
averted her head and that the shout
der nearest him was shaking.
please turn around. Miss Sands,
| he said. II want your attention"
She turned, and the tumult that had
made her little figure CULVER broke
| forth unto unchecked laughter.
"Oh! OH" she gasped. How per
fectly exquisite!'
Then I am forgiven"
I'll think so. Oh, dea1S I mean
of course But go on-please!"
Lets shake hands on it first" he
said. gravely.
She gave him her hand frankly and
he held it as long as the circum.
stances seemed to permit
II felt sure you would not be
adamant when you understood the
facts" said Trask, feeling suddenly
and strangely at peace with the whole
world-even with the dragon.
Yes, yes; but-oh, go on Tell me
more-everything!"
He told her more, and as each frag-
ment of the story fitted in with those
fragments that were already in her
possession, Sidney Sands gave way to
fresh paroxysm of mirth. Once she
stood up in her excitement and
seemed about to break into a wild
dance of joy. Several times she
clapped her hands.
And Captain tFerriss'!' she eX-
claimed. Tell me everything about
him.
Trask remembered what he could.
even reciting the melancholy tale of
Keeler's loves. Parts of it she list
ened to with a serious face and a
puzzled wrinkling of her forehead. On
one occasion she uttered what sounded
like little cry of real sympathy. But
generally the laughter was too much
for her.
When he had finished, Trask leaned
back in his chair and watched her.
But there must be more of it!'
she cried. Haven't you really forgot
ten something? Tell me more,'
I'm afroid there is no more-yet."
She sprang from her chair, walked
to the rail, rested her hands on 1t and
looked out at sea- Then she turned