Evening star., 1933-05-02
LUXURY LINER
BY Gina Klaus
tooPyRIoBT. 1ss3. DY GINA KAUA)

WQdC a IuSS, Md11uS interrupted
Simply because two old scoundrels
want to shake hands"
With bow. the young man with
drew.
You have aged lot," said Marius,
"Since We last met"
Stephanson looked at him in sur
prise
1t was about 20 years ago" Marius
continued. In Boston. I had come
across to look after renting warehouses
for my transport business, and unhap-
pily, was compelled to deal with you.
You swinoled me beautifully"
Marius drew half-smoked cigar
from his pocket and an old lighter
Stephanson ransacked his memory, and
finally identified the brutal old giant.
You were handsome fellow, then, -
said Marius without looking at Stephan
son. You were engaged then to the
daughter OF professor of music-do
more than IT, flligree doll with huge
blue eyes. And how much in love you
two were? Do you remember?"
Stephanson nodded sadly.
Then the widow Of a steel magnate
arrived in Boston," continued Marius.
"one of the richest women in the
United States. A horrible creature,
stupid and heartless. You dint like
her, either. You called her a horrible
goat in the presence of 10 people, nv
own unimportant self included. And
two months later you married the hor-
rlDle goat, which doubtless broke the
professors little daughters heart.
What was the comic old man I'D
to with his tactleSs "reminiscences? :?
Stephanson found the conversation
hi hn boz 10 ~
Well" continued the old man, lit is
easy to sacrifice some one else's happi-
ness. But because you were a real per
son who knew what his ambitions
were-- Please hold your hat up
against the wind. my cigar has gone
outI'
After the stump Of his cigar had
begun to glimmer again. he continued: !:
But this girl, Friederike; she might
be hundred times more beautiful than
she IS, but never in her life will she be
anything except an honest, domestic
married woman. She almost took me
in! Then she let her great chance 20
by, simply for the sake Of little bit of
love and heartache-"
No one had dared. to mention Fried
erike's name in Stephanson's presence
that day. Marius did it as though it
were the most natural thing in the
world.
You might be offering me your
congratulations, said Stephanson.
Not at all. Baroness Mergentheim
would have been a splendid mNe for
you. But you ought to give up business,
Mr.. StephanSon. You are getting
childish and sentimental At 50 one
ought to know how to love a woman,
without wanting to look into her heart" 4"
And now, as If he had said all there
was to say about the case, Marius
went on silently smoking his stump
Stephanson, too, was silent, resting his
head upon the knob Of his stick. He
seemed to have forgotten the old mans
presence.
When he finally took leave of Marius
he said: Even if you don't care for
my company-at any rate. telephone
me If you want advice, support or what
ever 1t may be. suppose you are
going to America for business reasons,
Mr.. Marius?"
Il should like to be rich once more"
said Marius, land quickly. too If you
can help me in this,I shall turn to YOU"
Il will give you my private telephone
number" said Stephanson. whoever
rings this number Is Immediately con-
nected with me-"
Marius noted the magic on the first
envelope that came to his hand-this
number which at any moment would
put him in touch with the mighty
magician.
Little Mill Lensch was sitting behind
the deck door. She had borrowed a
book and pretended to read. When
Stephanson passed her she seized his
hand.
CTo be continued tomorrow