Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-23

they doing here? Chris won
dered how the birds had sur
~ vived the heat of the last
hours, for although the boat
was well under the shade of the deck
house 1t was sitting beneath that can
vas Still. the birds were alive. droop-
ing a little, but far from being out of
commission. To whom did they be-
dong? Winston? And why?
This was almost the strangest
khing that had occurred-almost
This certainly is a hair-raising ad
venture" Chris told himself, land
now that I've discovered winston S
so-called cat family what shall l do
with it? Set these poor birds loose?
It's positively cruel to keep them
here, they'll be broiled squads by the
end of the day"
The steps upon the deck We're draw
ing nearer. Suppose the crew were
about to search the lifeboats?
"A nice mess I'm in" Chris was
saying to himself when his fears were
realized. A hand lifted the canvas
covering of the boat, and Chris looked
up into the face of the doctor, and an
other face-Anne'S!
Chris" Anne called sharply, what
possessed you to come out here in the
sun when you're supposed to be in
your bed?"
"I'll have to put you in a strait
Jacket, young man." the doctor said.
grasping Chris by the collar and pull
ing him out of the boat. IF it hadn't
been for Miss Morris you'd have cook.
ed yourself to a crisp in short order"
Chris stared in amazement.
"Anne?" he questioned. did she
-"
''She saw your ridiculous stunt and
came after me to rescue YOU. Come
now, get back to your cabin and for
heavens sake, stay therer'
He was about to replace the cover
OF the boat when his eye caught sight
OF an object which boats did not usual
" contain-the pigeons coop. His
Hand shot out and pulled it toward
him.
Carrier pigeons!' he cried. my
word And now his friendly tone
turned to one of stern questioning.
"Are these your birds, Mr.. Dahlgren?"
Certainly not,' Chris replied
otnnchly, "I never saw them before
I got into that boat"'
Come into the deckhouse." the
doctor commanded, and when they
had entered he went on: 'Ill ask you
both to stay here for a few minutes
while / take these birds to the
captain"
The interior of the deckhouse was a
medium sized room, used as a sun
parlor, and Chris and Anne, thus left
alone and unable to escape a tete-a-
tete. sat down as far apart as possible
each one erect, stiff and unbending.
An uncomfortable silence ensueu.
with all his heart Chris longed 10
question Anne. There were so many
haunting doubts still in his nlnd, lhcl,
dents he simply couldn't forget anu
vet he dared not voice thea. Atreaoy
he was hopelessly estranged from l,le
girl he loved. A chance word might
sac matters worse. He could not
ask her anything, yet as the minutes
nassed he remembered that she mao
been the cause of his discovery IN the
Hfeboat. Might he not speak OF that
Anne" he began carefully, you
saw me get into the boat Just now
ives" her lips curled disdainfully'
"a crazy thing to do"
'sIt was good of you to come 10 my
rescue. This heat seems to nave got
me, have been going about IN o1~e
ell day." ,,,
went after you, but since were on
the subject. may ask why you want
Cd To get into the boat? To feed your
pigeons, I presume?
INV pigeonsr Chris exclaimed IN
sipnantlv. ssyou didn't think I'd tor
tuTe innocent, helpless birds like that,
did YOU? l had no idea they were
ssThen why did you get in?" Chris
thought that Anne's tone showed
more interest and he TOOK nope.
"Well, you'll think I'm dippy, put
want TO see If what young Winston
had said was true! AT least what
thought he had said! BY the way
Anne. a while back in the smoking
room I heard him announce his en-
gagement to you. Are congratuia
tons in order?"
WHAT There was no mistaking
the girls genuine surprise.
"It isn't true, them?
"chris. something's happened &c
YOU! You're i'll, delirious, please &c
to bed, please:' Her voice was ahnos'
human. :.
s'You forget that we are ordered tt
stay here until the doctor returns
Chris reminded her, but his hear,
cave a great bound. His welfare dc
concern Anne-a little!
"Anne." he found himself plungine
into deep waters, "Anne, won't you
please listen to me, just tiny second
/ know you're all through with me
I'm not begging for pity or justice
inst a scrap of mercy. fragment
please let me say that l was wrong
from beginning TO end, that m dowI
on nv knees in repentance, that
1--we YOU with all my heart and soul
thai / can't live If you { ut forgive
me and be my friend again. I'm no
asking for anything more, Anne. L
Straine is the winner. promise to tn
INV level best to like him for your
sake, but be merciful, dear. b.
merciful!"
yelled I'D in her eyes. Her fingers
closed convulsively.
.tTell me why you followed me.
ahe said. in low voice; that mad
me angriest of all. as if you had t.
wa+ch me all the time. / didn't know
Mr.. Straine was coming, Chris. !
was a complete SURPRISE"
"That's all right, Anne" Chris as
sured her eagerly, land didn't know
that I was coming, either! The hos
called me into his sanctum after
O'Clock at night and said; Your
sailing for the Canal trip tomorrow
at g."
"Oh, I'm glad you told ms
Chrisr' she appeared genuinely re
iieved, and Chris began to breath
more freely "Why did Mr.. kea
want you to Gomez?
I'm sending him human interes
story over the wireless every eve
ming" Chris was delighted to explain
s.you know he is a great sport, Away
thinking up something like that!
happened to get the assignment.
don't suppose he knew you wer
ceming?"
mo, / hadn't time to tell anybody
Dad got an SOS from his siste
a had onlu nr1n day to get ready