Evening star., 1933-10-30
INSTALLMENT XIII.

Inc gray CIllllOH Dul
we don't Dress the ssrl,G1 last
strictly. I read it in a book"
IT don't care what they do in books.
wear the gray chiffon.
Hustle and hustle in the cabin. Sue
flufing out the gray chiffon. A dab OF
rouge on the lobe of the ear. The
French bob 1t had lost its contour.
Back on the left side. to show her ear.
Careless on the right side, careless
curls.
How do I look, Matty?' Sue, strik-
ing pose.
tie. You've no idea how the role suits
you After acting like one of the miser-
ables in tragedy by a Russian"
"Matty, how's this?" Sue gliding
across the floor of the cabin. eyebrows
elevated. How do you do, Mrs. Wander
griff Awf'ly nice to see you again
Mathilda shook a negative head.
Wont do" she said, sepulchrally.
'"The way to greet a Vandergriff, in
the language of the new and toiling
generation, is like this: Good evening,
little Vandergriffs-if any? You'll
pardon me, I know, but the handsome
young man who came in with you has
your pearls in his right coat pocket. 1
noticed him slip them off-and mas
you were coming through the foyer.
Would you like me to call my personal
investigator to have them returned?'"
Bravo! Bravo!" Sue leaned against
the wash basin and applauded. The
Vandergriffs, Matty. is nobody's busi-
ness" Her finger was on a bell A
steward appeared.
HGn to Arc Won Dolf Crouctoy,'c e
suite and inform her that Miss Santry
and Miss Fetherstone have found that
after all they will be able to dine with
her tonight. And take a note to Mrs.
Jeffrey Randall"
The note, hastily scribbled informed
Jeffrey that "Matty and 1 have decided
to go to Cragston for the duration of
dinner. You'll come, too won't you
jeff? The Cragstons will never let me
forget I am Mrs. Jeffrey Randall, and
it will be good practice for tomorrow,
when I take on the role in earnest"
For Sue the Cragston dinner proved
1rterminably dull and difficult. Sur
face sparkle it did not lack. But the
undercurrent was vapid and obviously
ohanneled in insincerity. Where be-
fore she had been ignored or where
she had received the cut direct, Sue
now found herself sharing with the
Count SodolSki a colorleSS young man.
tntrenched behind thick-lensed glasses
and monosyl1abic conversation the all
too-pointed attention of Mrs. S. Van
Pelt Cragston.
Jeffrey, removed from the list of
eligibles by his own admission, was rele-
gated to the background. Mathilda
likewise occupied rear seat in the
social performance. Determined at
tempts were being made by Mrs. Crags-
ton to secure the verbal signatures of
Sue and the count on contracts for
land engagements.
Il simply cannot lose track of you"
she kept repeating to them: so often
friendships made aboard ships end with
the journey. It's shame, really. One
meets so few people worth while. And
now that I've come to know you, I
mean to hold on to you"
Agree with her" Delphine whis-
pered to Sue. She'll hound you un-
til you do. You can always cancel"
But I do want to see you again,
you've been $3.50 regular" Sue said
Perhaps I can help you. or maybe
there is something jeff can do about
the boy in Jersey"
Delphine's hand sought Sues under
the table, pressed it convulsively.
Thanks You can always reach me
and messages free from the maternal
board of censors."
Il don't know where to tell you to
reach me-" Sue. in confusion. I'VE
haven't decided what we will do"
Don't bother. The newspapers will
supply me with the information. They'll
be full of you. And I can awlays get
jeff through one of his clubs"
With the progress of dinner, the roll
of the ship increased. The Toulon had
plunged straight into storm. and now,
with the service of coffee and cordials,
Ehe was by turns staggering and reel
ing like strong man under an insult
ferable lash.
How wretched of the old ocean to
pick this night to go tossing about"
Mrs. Cragston'S protests were sincere
enough, but were growing weaker. A
pallor crept up under her careful mask
OF cosmetics, a pallor tinged with that
tell-tale. greenish hue, peculiar to vic
tins of the seas unrest. Suddenly she
rose. stood uncertainty, leaned heavily
on the edge of the table. Your arm;
count" she gulped. The count, seated
at her right. was on his feet instantly,
steadying her. Delphine, circling the
table in flash, grasped the other arm.
Cling to the raft, mother" Delphine
advised. Then, to the others at the
table who had also risen: Mother
wants me to say good night. See you
in the morning" The exit of the Crag-
ston was more hasty than gallant.
Il hate turning in early on this
the last night" Sue confessed when
she and jeffrey we're alone with Ma
thilda. Couldn't we watch the storm
q while, from some sheltered corner?"
'I was just going down to get my
heavy coat" Mathilda said. I'll bring
yours, Sue, II you'll promise not to
take any more spills"
One by one passengers were leaving