Evening star., 1928-06-17

AS tney sat DOWN toBeIner ne LOOKED
at Roberta.
"It's always such scramble, this first
meal" he commented. Tonight they
will give us our regular tables-but, of
course, you know that" When he
smiled his clean -shaven brown face
lighted like boys.
I'VE don't know thing" confessed
Lucy. This is our first trip"
He smiled again, turning to the elder
sister as though he had not seen her
before.
How 1 envy you! Perhaps, as a
hardened traveller, can be. OF some
assistance. You have your deck chairs?"
Lucy shook her head.
IF you'd like, after lunch I'll 60 with
you to see about them"
That's awfully nice of you"
Again the stranger was looking at
Roberta, and Lucy felt thrill Of pride
He saw that she was pretty, too. Ro-
nance famed In Lucy Merritts AZ
year-old breast. Wouldn't 1t be exciting
#
Going to paris?"
He had addressed Roberta, but she
seemed stunned into an awkward ST.
lence. Roberta. the gracious, so shy!
We're going to travel" Lucy an
swered for her. France and Italy and
England"
II envy you" he said again. i've
been to Europe IA different times In the
last IL years, and never once for pleas
ure. The only luxury allow myself Is
travelling on these slow boats-at least,
have 10 days of rest every time cross
this puddle"
Roberta's gray-blue eyes rested for
moment on his face. Then she looked
away.
THERE was no denying the fact that
the stranger, Anthony Wright liked
Roberta. No man. as Lucy said after
ward put himself out quite SO much
without reason. After luncheon he went
with them In search of the deck stew
ard, tore him from group OF clamor-
ing passengers and achieved three
chairs on the sheltered deck long after
the steward had insisted TO every one
that there were none remaining there.
At dinner he found them table not
too far from the doors nor too near
them.
II wonder-might sit with you?" he
asked of Roberta. and Lucy, glaring at
her sisters silence, told him that he
might.
I'VE certainly are lucky to find some
one as nice as Mr.. Wright" she said
that evening as they we're going to bed.
Roberta sulked. what does he do
1t for?" she demanded. vehemently.
why should he be so nice?"
The elder sister laughed significant
ly why shouldn't he be? II you
asked me, I'd say he kind Of liked you'll"
Me! An old maid like mel" Ro-
berta had been dangling shoe by its
strings; now she dropped 1t noisily
to the floor. "Oh. Lucy, everything's
so strange. wish we hadn't comet"
STARK staring mad!" announced
Lucy. shaking her head.
But Roberta did not improve, as the
days went by. She would sit In her
steamer chair, between Lucy and An
thony Wright. staring out over the blue
sea, speaking only when definite Ques-
ton was put to her
On the fifth day. the sea was un-
necessarily rough. but a mere matter oil
pitching and rolling sho.ld not have
bothered the daughters OF sea captains.
1t did not bother Lucy. But Roberta
refused TO leave her cabin.
I'm tired Lucy!"
You're craZyi" Lucy retorted. and
went alone on deck.
Anthony Wright was already wrap
ped In his rug. reading q book. but he
got up and tucked Lucy in her own
chair, as though she were a queen. :
"Your sister feeling the notion"
Lucy could not conceal her worry. Il
don't know what's the matter with
her!" she admitted I'm worried about
Bertha. know she isn't seasick.
But"
Anthony Wright frowned. Miss Mer-
ritt. hope you'll excuse me for this
presumption, but--could 1t be anything
I've done?"
How could 1t be?"
He smiled, family, but his tanned
face was serious II don't know. It's
aiI--rather odd. T--of course, you've
seen how much I'm attracted to your
sister. I've known her only five days,
but somehow feel--perhaps it's in the
blood. My people we're New England
ers, before we migrated to the South
west and got so involved in oil. l."
He fell silent, and Lucy studied his
face. while her heart thumped. Shed
known that she was right This man
liked Berta--perhaps more than liked
her!
"she isn't happy" she said. Some
times I think she's worrying about the
furniture"