Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-09

The attitude of Capt. Aikness was
very different than it had been on
their occasional meeting. Then he had
seemed self-conf1dent. able to meet any
situation. Now he was strangely
nervous; he made several attempts to
speak, cleared his throat, and relapsed
again into silence. Finally he asked:
How old do you think I am, Lila?"
Fifty eight" she said promptly, and
evidently the reply did not please him.
I'm So" he said sharply. oaks has
been talking. He insists on that So
year nonsense. I'm So on the third
day of July; a comparatively young
man; with 20 years of vigorous life be-
fore me-"
He said this loudly and defantly. She
wondered what was coming next and
half-guessed.
IF you ever get married my dear,
choose a man much older than your
Self-a man of the world, who can look
after you
He walked to the door, opened it,
looked out, and then closed it and came
back to her.
"a man who could lift you out of
danger and place you safe, rs quick as
that" He snapped his fingers loudly.
He surveyed her for a long time with
out speaking. His expression was so
gloomy that she was almost frightened.
There are lot of people who want
to pick up an easy Million" he went on.
Don't lose your head, if somebody
comes to you with a good proposition.
Remember that I'm around, and, If you
wanted to get off this packet, could
do it-like that!" He snapped his
fingers again.
And then he went off at a tangent.
When I came back on this last trip,
I knew you weren't child any more,
and you sort of got me-" He thumped
his chest. You understand? You
meant something to me, and you mean
more and more every day. I'd take
big risk for you, million or no mil
lion-'
What do you mean by million"
Capt. Aikness?"
He coughed and was palpably en-
barrassed.
II thought Golly had seen you and
had chat with you. He didn't, eh?"
She smiled. He was so obviously IN
easy and she felt so completely the
mistress of the situation. 1t was a
novel sensation, and it amused her.
You needn't tell Golly what said"
he continued. Hes a good fellow,
generous and all that sort of thing, but
he's touchy about certain things"
"Golly generous" The little man was
indeed changed. What had he to be
generous with?
Have you known him long-Uncle
Golly?" she asked.
The big man surveyed her with
angry eyes.
yes. I've known him too long" he
said slowly.
He picked up his hat from the settee,
where he had dropped it, and went to
Io ctr 10
as If debating with himself. Then he
said
To-day or tomorrow it'll be easy.
After that, I'm not sure-just tell me
when you want to go, and not a word
to Golly"
Before she could answer, the door had
closed behind him.
He climbed up the companionway and |
reached the deck, not of any sea-going |
unromantic name of Betsy Jane" and |
was moored near a meadow that |
stretched away to wooded ridge. Be-
hind her was another barge, on which |
two men we're laboriously lowering the |
mast. There was no one else in sight, |
except little man in a striped jersey,
ragged trousers, and a huge cap. It
would have been difficult to recognize,
in this laborer, Mr.. Golly Oaks, of the
ASCCd. ne lOOk6u up over Ills glasses
as the captain approached.
you look pretty, must say" There
was sheer in his voice. IF anybody
was to come along and see you, they'd |
think this was a garden-party. Been |
down to see Lila, I'll bet"
Eyes, I've been down to see Lila"
said Aikness, and sat down on the cover |
Of hatchway and slowly filled a pipe.
Golly shook his head
"a regular houseboat party, and a |
couple of 'busies' likely to come along |
at any minute! 1t took you a week to |
grow whiskers, and then you shaved |
nice young lady to think you were So" |
I'm ST." growled Aikness.
Gollys lips curled so that his mus
tache tilted ludicrously.
You're TO-" he said. And then, in a i
different tone: Get out, and slip into |
your old buds, will you? Then I'll tell |
you what's happened to the Seal of |
Troy It's in the morning papers,"
Aikness sprang up, his face pale.
did they hold it up?"
Golly nodded.
And found everything" he added |
cheerfully. Gold and platinum and |
diamonds and heaven knows what! And |
they'll find you, too Bill AikneSS. Go |
down and change"
Aikness turned and went slowly below |
Anything else you want?" he
growled.
YES" said Mr. Oaks. Bring me up |
a bit of black crepe. I want to tie it |
round me neck"
Aikness stared at him in Mortified |
You don't mean" he began |
hoarsely.
Golly nodded.
Eyes, do. All things have got to |
come to an end, and this one ought to
have ended long time ago."
(To Be Continued)