Evening star., 1927-11-17
By Frank L. Packard
Author of "The Miracle Man., Doors
of the Night" Jimmie Dale" Etc.
Copyright. Geo. II. Doran Co.

and especially in view Of the last
| week, have to admit you possess one
| redeeming feature, that / am bound
to give you credit for"
| whats that?" Runnells was at
| the end of the letter now. He stared
at the bandaged face with eyes a little
narrowed, and with lips that twisted
| in strange, speculative smile.
| "A fidelity of the same uninitiative
quality that a dog has" said Capt.
| Francis Newcombe, motioning for
| more to eat.
And in that sphere you're a sue
| cess. I hope you'll always stick to
| it."
Runnells made no answer. His eyes
| were on the letter Misunderstanding it..
The lunch proceeded in silence.
AT its conclusion. Runnells stood UP,
slipped the letter behind the pillow
| again and gathered the various dishes
together on the tray.
America, eh?" confided Runnells
to himself, as he carried the tray
from the room. $50 that's the bit of
all right, is it? And Paul don't know
anything about 1t? And the captain
don't know know! Half a million
dollars! Strike me pink
The Writing on the Wall.
1t was a night of storm. The rain,
wind driven, swept the decks in gusty,
singing sheets; the big liner rolled
and pitched, dsgruntled, in the heavy
sea.
Within the smoking room at a table
in the corner Capt. Francis New
combe turned from a companion, who
sat opposite him. to face a steward
who had just arrived with a tray.
S,tn o,flS 11o
asked. rs this weather going to de-
lay our getting in? / understand that
if we don't pass Quarantine early
enough they hold us up all night
so they do, sir" the steward an.
swcred. But this isn't holding us up
any. bit nasty though it is. WeIl
be docked at New York by o'clock
tomorrow afternoon at the latest.
Thank you, sir!' He pocketed a gen.
erous tip as he departed.
The young man at the opposite side
OF the table, dark.eyed, dark haired,
with fine, clean-cut features, a man
OF powerful physique. whose great
breadth of shoulder was incased in an
immaculate dinner jacket, lifted the
glass the steward had just set before,
him.
Here's how, captain he smiled
The same, Mr.. Locker returned
Capt. Francis Newcombe cordially.
Howard Locke extracted a cigarette
from his case, and lighted it.
The end Of as chummy a crossing
as I've ever had," he said. Thanks
to you. And I've been lucky all round.
Cleaned up well in London, and I'll
get pat on the back for it from dad
and holiday, which, without
throwing any bouquets at myself,
I'll say I've earned. I think I'll do a
bit of coast cruising in that little old
50-footer of mine that I've filed your
ear full OF during the last few days.
Wow! And not least of all my luck
was Joyce introducing me to you at
lunch that day in the club
IT'S very good of you to say So"
said Capt. Francis Newcombe.
Good, nothing" exclaimed the
young American. Il mean it! You've
made the trip for me. And now how
about your plans? l know you're 90.
ing on South somewhere, for YOU men.
toned 1t the other day. But what
about New York? You'll be a little
while there. and 1 feel pleasurably re-.
sponsible for the stranger in the
strange land. The house is barred, for
the family is away for the Summer;
but there are the clubs, and I'd like to
put you up and show you around a
Bit"
Capt. Francis Newcombe studied
the young mans face for a moment
he smiled disarmingly as he did So
Howard Locke was the son of a man
of great wealth, the head of a great
financial house, and of family whose
social status left nothing to be desired
and America was the Land of
Promise. But one could be too eager.
I'D like to- he said heartily: but
1 fancy I've still quite a little trip
ahead of me, and I'm afraid I'm bit
| overdue already. AS you say, / men
toned that / was going South. To be
precise, I'm going down Florida way
or do you cali it up?-as the guest
of a Mr.. Marlin"