Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-26
The Story You Haze
BeeuWaitingFor:
HWiUHoM You
" to HeVeryLaH
Wmd.

~ HE trouble with parents and guar
IS dians" said Mr. Kirby Roberts as
ne closed a volume called Modes
Il and Manners with the Great VIC
torians,' "is their lack of dignity. They have
NO sense OF code. Think Of Gladstone, or Dis
raeli or even Bismarck running around the
world having love affairs in their old age. They
had something better to do
Mr.. Kirby Roberts shook his beautifully
brushed. distinguished head sageiy ana saoiy.
~And then think of Uncle George" he con-
eiuded. as If nothing in the way OF contrast
could be more complete.
It was all q matter of very real concern to
Mr. Roberts; for, although it was absurd Tor
q man mature in mind body and experience
to be burdened with guardian at all uncle
George was, nevertheless. his legal guardian
until next November, when he himself would
be 81, And if one must have a guardian, even
technically. one might at least expect him 70
provide an example of conduct to guide, m
struct, and restrain in those matters OF oe-
corum proper to gentleman. Did uncle
George do that? On the contrary. all the
guiding instructing and restraint exercised
since this expedition to Europe to improve Mr..
Roberts cultural background had begun this
fruitless frittering of time on gaudy, frivolous
continent had been exercised by Mr.. RopertS
himself ut is sad," he commented, when q
man does not acknowledge the obligation ana
feel the propriety Of his years..
He gazed thoughtfully from the front win
dow of their suite in the dignified Hotel Grand.
Down beyond the ordered lawn, solemn with
its formal walks and spaced palms, was the
Bay of Cannes, and Mr.. Roberts smiled at
that myth about the blue Mediterranean. Blue?
Well if one cared to be romantic yes or
course, all seas were at times more or less
blue But Mr. Roberts thinking OF the
crashed ideal of his Uncle George and not
about the imaginary colors Of seas
'N' ii
OFF the pier of the cercle Nautique trim
~ white steam yacht was anchored, and Mr..
Kirby Roberts noticed that yacht. In fact,
he'd noticed her several times before during
their wanderings. at Corfu, at Agadir, and had
wondered at the coincidence. This time he no.
ticed something more: for a young lady in an
apple green bathing suit was swimming from
the deck Of that yacht. diving like bird, run
ming up the ladder and diving again. At least
Mr Roberts supposed she was young lady,
although she might not be lady and she
might be 40. Old women were doing all sorts
OF juvenile tricks these days. Some Of them
still danced.
He went into his own room and brought back
Sais very powerful marine glasses. He deter
mined the lady was fairly young. perhaps 10.
She was also, although her white bathing cap
concealed her hair, personabe. -
TT was Of even greater interest to Mr. Roberts
reasonably
was apparently In some distress. Each time
q she gained the deck she paused. buried her face
in her arms, and seemed to shake. with sobs.
She Owed, swan, climbed, sobbed and Owed
again. Unfortunately and appealingly. ''-'-
Arthur" suggested Mr.. Roberts to his uncles
man, "see If you can flnd my swimming suit.
think it's quite warm enough for q dip"
There was Seaplane landing float at the
end of the pier and he made his plunge from
there. He swan leisurely and meditatively to-
ward Africa. paying no attention whatever 70
such intervening objects as yachts He demon
strated his indifference to yachts by swimming
far beyond one Of them and approaching 1t
only casually on his return, not from Africa,
precisely, but at least impressvely from the
South.
.Once or twice he rested granting a critical
glance inland to the in his personal opinion,
somewhat overdone rocco beauty OF Cannes.
the purple loom Of the Esterel headland, the
blunt square tower dominating the Old Town.
laalf-hidde villas studdtng the green back
ground of Alpes-Maritimes foot hills, the white
and bright lines Of hotels and smart shops on
the Croisette, pinned at one end by the great
architectural calamity known IS the Municipal
Casino. Uncle George. no doubt, would be
able to describe all this later as huently q
guide.
These reflections upon his guardian were
Terminated by his own proximity TO that yacht
and his own obligation in the matter Of young
ladies in distress. He was aware that the dive,
climb sob, dive process still continuing
and in fact, quite before he was, in sense,
ready a white capped little head and q button
round face made up chiefly OF, as he decided,
1ilac- colored eyes, bobbed up out Of the depths
right in front of his nose. "Oh!" said the face.
D. ~Ohl" said the face again. please excuse me
Tor getting in your way"
But my dear lady" said Mr.. Roberts, tread
ing water, you're not in my way at ALL" His
dignity was equal to that test too "In fact I