Evening star., 1927-09-22

He has been presented to me by
| Tho ship's doctor, we are all three at
tho same table in the dining saloon
/ but pardon, l am quite sure that YOU
mistake me for some one else, 1t Is
absurd ridiculous, that | am in dan
ger, What can Mr.. Marriott have to
/ do with me or with what you imagine
about me-"
Il thought so: you're going it blind.
Mrs. Carlin nodded and the purring
note had gone from her tones.
"AIightv clever, to make use of an
innocent. but take two tips-two bits
1 of advice | mean--from me. Look out
1 for the young man You know as Mar
/ lott. Don't look, but he's rounding the
! stern again. he's watching YOU. The
next time he gets into conversation
! with YOU wait for his first question
! and-don't answer it truthfutly no
! matter what You do 1t may seem
! very trivial and unimportant, but don |
! give him any satisfaction. Mind, m
| telling YOU for your own sake! When
/ y0u'rc alone in your StatcroOm to-
! night read this book I've given you;
/ read it carefully and when you're
quite sure you've had enough of IT,.
throw it out of the portfolio. Throw
it far. and then think over what
vou've read I'm going below now.
She added the last sentence abrupt
lv and rose as the young man VINO
had passed before neared them again
Julia Deane scarcely observed him,
for her eyes We're fixed in amaze
ment on the departing figure OF MIS-
Carlin and did not move till 1t mad
disappeared down the companlonWaY.
You are feeling better, Miss
Deane?" Cap in hand the young man
had paused at the foot of her steamer
chair. I'VE have missed you in the
dining saloon. but the doctor assured
us that your indisposition was not
serious"
Not at all" She smiled up at him
with a naive but deliberate invitation
in her look. She felt an instructive
aversion TO the stElnge woman who
had talked to her in such riddles, and
because of whose persistent efforts to
force an acquaintance between them
she had taken refuge in pretended ill
ness in her cabin. and in sheer con
trariness she decided TO cultivate this
exceedingly nice young man.
The steward is bringing tea" Mr.
Marriott indicated the approaching
traybearer. Wont YOU invite me TO
have mine with you-unless, of course,
your friend is returning"
DO, | don't think Mrs. Carlin will
be back, and anyway. this is not her
chair" Julia Deane gestured to the
one lust vacated and added. as he
seated himself: Mrs. Carlin happens
to have the stateroom next mine but
we are not friends, merely ship ac-
quaintances.'
She paused with a little uneasy
quaIm. Had that implied question
been one of those against which Mrs
Carlin had warned her? But surely
that was nonsense This young man
could have only the most casual in
terest in her!
He served her and himself with tea
and bread and butter sandwiches. ana
when the steward had passed on he
remarked:
II don't think I have met the lady
Mrs Carlin. You find her interest
ing?"
So that was it, 1t was Mrs. Carlin
herself who feared his questions. No
wonder she had spoken warningly of
him.
II find her sociable." Julia Deane
replied with suspicion of dimple,
but it vanished with his next words.
You are lonely? You are not ac-
customed to travelling by yourself?'
Il am never lonely and | have al
ways enjoyed travelling quite by my
self" There was fiat finaiity in her
tone. II wonder why it SO suddenly
appears unusual?"
"Well. it is. you know" He spoke
in half-laughing apology. Forgive
me if | seem unduly inquisitive. l
merely wanted to offer my services
when we reach New York the day
after tomorrow, II you do not expect
to have your family meet you at the
pier"
He wanted to know that, too! But
why?
Thank you, Mr. Marriott" Miss
| Deane responded demurely. 1T is very