Evening star., 1933-12-03

~ HAD given you up for lost" said Bill
AIurGock. leading the way across the
destroyers steel deckplates to the lad
der "You ladies will eat in solitary
splendor We've finished dinner"
It got arrested" confided Janey Nc
Sherry That's why we're late
Arrested"
"Uhuh."
I'll say sol" cried Gwendolyn. still a trihe
annoyed. "She blocks traffic on Broadway, and
the cop asks for her license, and what do you
think? Janey has learners permit that ex-
pired 10 days ago.
Janey looked up at Bill Murdock pathetically.
Her eyes were gray and wide and her lashes
curled all everything. II thought it was
good" she walled. "I paid a dollar for it,
There! That's what you told the cop too!
AS though"
But I did pay dollar for it, Gweni
"Janey,' explained Gwen crisply. "is very
dumb And being dumb is very convenient
For Janey."
-Janey always slaps men who try to kiss her.
don't you Janey?" she went on, as Bill handed
them down the ladder to the ward room
.'Of course I do" Janey admitted matter-of-
facty Il think kiss should mean something
But they always do" pointed out Bill
wickedly.
.Janey means something pure" said Gwen
AS SOON as introductions had been COM
pleted Janey told the men in the ward
room: "I hope you didn't eat everything up
because I'm starved" There was still food left,
they said. When it was gone. she wanted Bill
Murdock to show her the ship.
"Id like to know more about the Navy
"Where shall start?" he asked
"Start from the beginning"
you're en-" cried Bill leading the way to
the ladder that went up to the now moon
bathed deck. The river flowed smoothly under
the two bridges astern. The stars did their
part and Janey was all eager interest ana
sweet-voiced admiration.
"And this little teeny ship really crosses
oceans and things?"
This little teeny Ship" said Bill grimly.
els one of the deadliest things afoat. See these
things? They're torpedo tubes. It's probably
q little ever your head, but torpedoes are-oh,
well, never mind Just remember that this
tin can may be small. but she's all there And
the men on her-ahem!-are just about the
only sailors left these days. Battle wagon
men"
Battle wagon!" cried Janey. That's what
he called itl I knew it wasn't like this one
It was much bigger"
"Much." agreed Bill dryly. "And whom did
wagon?"
81 didn't mention" said Janey.
Bilfs smiled tolerantly. I'm SO smart
guessed. Who it?'
It don't know his-you know, title. And you
probably wouldn't know his name. He had lots
of gold lace on his sleeves though. and he had
the cutest little boat It's to ride in from the
dock to the ship, you know"
oh said Bill, thoughtfully. Bill was an
ensign, and ensigns don't have gigs or even
motor boats to ride in from the ship to the
dock Ensgns when it is necessary, ride in
the motor that sailors take the rest of the
crew ashore unless the boat OF more fortu-
nate superior officer has been ordered out in
which case you stick around and stick around
50 his eye cannot miss you II It tried
ct thought you didn't know much about the
Navy"
VI didn't say that,' sQld Janey, and her eyes
were like saucers. 'I said I'd like to know
-evvho else do you
"Oh-" Janey began. vaguely. Then she
caught sight of the silver pathway the moon
was riding over the water Look at that!
Isn't it beautiful? Doesn't it make you feel
romantic?
"I never feel romantic" warned Bill.
"But you must! mean, being engaged and
all"
who's engaged?"
why you are, of course. silly. To Gwen?
Aren't you? And going to take her to China
with you when you go? think it's SO thrilling.
I'll bet you're all of q futter-"
Hold on! Whered you get that dope from?"
IANEY held frightened hand over her
~ mouth. "Oh! I didn't mean to say that.
mean. Gwen didn't exactly say"
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