Evening star., 1932-02-28

failure to see her of?
THE days drifted by. Verne rushed Penelope
! every available minute, trying to get her
promise to marry him. She finally consented
to an engagement not half sure that she
would stay engaged after they had reached
land
One night they were together on A deck.
The moon was greenish with light weird and
frightening. Only the glass was between them
and towering, crashing sea. The elements
were wild, sudden storm gathering, squan
that had sprung up out Of a clear sky. Heavy
clouds massed, shifted, lifted momentarily, only
to settle down, black and threatening.
Penelope was awed and a little frightened.
She chung to Verne's arm shuddering when
the huge waves dashed against the glass. Once
she stifed O cry and hid her face against
his arm.
Penny, talk to me ~
She aroused herself and smiled into his eyes.
"All right. Verne. Tell me something about
your home, where you are going to take me
when we are married?"
His face lighted up. His manner was caress-
ing all pique forgotten
"Oh, you'll love my villa. Penny, it has the
most wonderful garden. There are lex trees,
and syringas, marble seats, and in the center
. pool that reflects the stars. I can see you
now strolling around the walks resting by the
love you, how adore you
Shall We live part Of the time in New
York;"
NO" emphatically. I'm fact"
He paused, biting back the words he was
about to say. She looked at him with a long,
appraising look. He smiled into her eyes. I'm
only living now for that day. :"
She suddenly rose.
TIN tired. I think that I'll try to sleep"
wait" He laid OBTAINING hand on her
arm II have something for you-my nrst
gift, darling and one that We will consider q
betrothal present until can get you ring"
He laid rectangular package in her lap
MY first gift to you sweetheart. And
have strange request. do not want you to
open this until we are on land and until
can be with you when we open it."
Her eyes were dancing as she looked into
his face. She picked up the package, looking
ut it curiously.
why, how mysterious-and how lovely!" she
exclaimed. II want to open it now" picking
at the purple cord that tied it. II can't wait"
Please" laying restraining hand over the
inquisitive fingers "You see, DEAR" glancing
around, "it is Of great value got it at an
antique shop for a ridiculously small price. It
would be better not to open it until we on
land. Put it away in a safe place and then
after we are together on land"
The sea was calming little The storm
had blown itself out, the waters sullenly sink
- Verne drew her into the shadows and into
his arms.
Penny" pleadingly, when will 1t be?"
I'VE must let things adjust themselves" an
swering his mute question. II cannot tell yeti"
DENELOPE could not sleep. She was trying
T to solve the problem that was facing her.
The fog horn made her nervous Restless, she
tossed for hours
Suddenly she was aware of commotion Just
outside her door. voice, two voices, In alter
cation. She rose and slipped into a negligee.
and slid her feet into her mules. Her face
was pale, her hands trembling.
TT can't be! 1t just can't bel It's not
possible" she was saying over and over. But
that voice!
Opening her door a crack she looked out.
Her eyes were wide with incredulity as she
saw Bart, an arresting hand on Verne's arm
He was shouting angrily.
TITS q hei You can't prove anything on me-"
"Oh, yes I can!" Bart coolly replied. you've
got them, you've got the pearls with you on
this boat. either you or the girl"
"Bart!' Penelope threw open her door. TT
is he! It's the man you showed me the pic
ture Of, the suspect you tried to tell me about
I've known 1t for several days -
Verne cast glance at her. look Of mingled
sorrow anger, shame and chagrin.
The other girl came running down the cor
f1dof, her face perturDed ana ANXIOUS She
was scantily dressed in rose-colored negligee,
her eyes wild.
80, Toni" she sneered. "They were too
smart for you! He's the thief" triumphantly.
HE stole the pearls :"
And you helped him!" Bart interrupted.
Captain" TO the officer who had joined the
crowd that had gathered, will you to the
woman? I'm going to make Braganti find the
pearls These two have got away with several
daring robberies in the past two years, the last
one being the Sterling robbery I found a
clue and followed them. I going to wait
until we ready to land before nabbing
them, but I met him shopping around in the
corridor and he recognized me-"
You needn't hunt" the girl said. your
damn has them He paue then, To her for a