Evening star., 1933-04-01

May look for a moment?'
Thomas asked. His neighbor assenteo
mechanically. The discussion about
the beautiful girl preoccupied the
others. No one paid any attention tc
Thomas and he could hunt at his
leisure for what he wanted. Five min
utes later he had found it: RALPH
Robert Shortwell, No. 35; Sybil Wohl-
NUT, No. SC deck.
And from now on he no longer heard
a word of the conversation around him
his nerves were in such a state that he
could not stand sitting there another
minute.
He bowed. The officers did not seem
to notice it. He crossed the dining
room, observing quite clearly that a
woman was beckoning him, slender
white hand with colored gems OH the
fingers was beckoning him. He acted
as If he did not notice it, but just at the
door a steward stopped him.
The lady at table No. Is would
like"
Thomas said, mo time now-an
urgent case" Before he knew il
he was outside and at the lift. &C
deck, please" and he assembled.
He knew very well who the lady was
to pay any attention to her. He knew
perfectly well that artists are touchy
especially those women who once were
beautiful and whose youth is departing
He knew that nothing is more abomir-
able than forgetful lover-even If il
was 10 years and he the man. All
this was entirely immaterial to him
now.
&c deck, sir" said the boy, opening
the door.
What would Sybil's answer be?
CABIN 36. To open the door, enter
and "You have nothing to feal
from me at this interview" he hac
written, but the letter in his pocket now
was OF no Importance Everything de-
pended upon SYPHILIS actions when he
unexpectedly confronted her; upon
Shortwell's also. At the moment he
ielt that he was completely master o1
himself.
Thomas opened the door without
knocking. The cabin was empty. The
door to the adjoining cabin was open
IL, too, was empty. Thomas rams
urgently His heart beat so hard thai
he could hardly breathe.
A stewardess appeared.
rs this Mrs. Wohlmut's cabin?" in
quired Thomas.
"Of course"
Did the lady stay on board over
night?"
"The lady isn't on board at all. nor
the gentleman next door," explained
the stewardess.
Thomas knee joints grew weak he
sank down in an armchair, The stew
ardess had disappeared. Thomas buried
his face in his hands
The big general lounge was in the
middle section of B deck. It was about
IS yards long, and three stories high,
reaching up to the promenade deck.
Later on the orchestra played for
afternoon tea; 200 people can drink
their tea and still leave considerable
square In the center for the younger
generation to dance.
From 1t wide passage led to the
other general rooms, lying toward the
DOW. Its walls were covered with gold
stamped leather and ornamented with
old Dutch pictures, the themes of all
OF which dealt with seafaring. The
floor was covered with a dark-gold,
hand-knotted Smyrna rug. and from
the ceiling old ships models were sas-
pended. At the end of this connecting
passage was an oaken door. 1t was
carved by distinguished artist and
showed Columbus landing in America.
This door was shut both day and
night, and only few privileged per-
sons on shipboard had the key. The
ships doctor was one of these.
This is the way down to the third
class" said Sister Martha. "Shall we
unlock?"
Thomas was now completely indif-
ferent and at ease. He had finally set
tied the fact that for the rest of the
crossing he had no right to give him.
self over to his despair He had made
an agreement, and, he had to keep it.
As soon as the term of his agreement
expired, he could do what he pleased.
He could try again to follow Sybil's
trail. or he could Shoot himself. But
until then he had faithfully to perform
his duties as ships doctor.
He had found the key; the beauti-
fully carved oaken door opened. When
Thomas had locked it again, he was
surprised at its transformation. Seen
from the third-class angle. it was a
simple, white, enameled door. In the
wide corridor, which was also painted
white, a number of children were
noisily playing tag"