The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-03-20
NOW co ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XII


 Jane did not go directly to the bar. She went to her stateroorn to repair imaginary ravages to her face and hair, and Tino waited for her outside in the passageway. She glanced in the mirror, and stood back in wonder. Her face had ra- dance it had never owned before.
 And how well that one evening gown had served her on this cruisel She was glad that tomor- row they'd be on shore. and she could wear informal clothes. One didn't like to appear in the same dress, night after night, and this cruise had been one gay affair after another.
 For @ moment her thoughts drifted back to the chill fall winds in the city, back to her jobless state. But she banished these now, as easily as she pow dered shiny spot off her nose.
 The Bahamas were right out there under that gorgeous moon! She had a romantic figure in tow.
 Tino didn't seem impatient when she came out to join him. Together they made their way into the Venetian Room.
 Last night she had made @ spectacular entry into this room, alone, after her quarrel with Dirk Strom. But tonight she felt keenly this moment of per- sonal triumph. The heady wine of Tino"s flattery and his fiowery words had gone to her head!
 They stopped at the bar, and Jane sat on high stool where her reddish head glistened under the lights. At her side Tino made distinguished appearance. The ho2tility the passengers had ex- hibited when Tino refused to sing at the ships gala had van 1ated. The looks which people bestowed on the pair were again those of admiration. Their heads dominated the room.
 To Jane it seemed that every one had merely come on from the ballroom to the bar. Looking about the room she saw Dirk seated with Nora Lane and the detective at a corner table. They seemed quet subdued.
 Dirk bowed to her slightly, and she nodded n return. It was the first friendly exchange they had passed since their quar- rel last night.
 Dirk had turned to Nora Lane again. He was afraid the actress had been aware of his distraction over the newcomers in the bar.
 But Miss Lane was busily en- gagged in talk with Snowshoes. Dirk realized, a little ruefully, that the detective had monopo- lized most of her interest this evening. While she talked to Enowshoes, she had lost some of her tensed feeling about the ugly incident on deck that afternoon.
 She was so receptive to every whit of the human comedy about her. She had suffered and lived tragedy.
 Snowshoes asked her about the Kokinor diamond and she smiled. At the same time she let 0 hand slip to her throat where the Koki- nor usually nestled, and she seemed almost surprised not to dis cover 1t there. Dirk saw her flush.
 T was 50 distracted I forgot to wear 1t tonight" she said.
 I'd feel better" Snowshoes said, If you'd hand 1t over to the ships purser for the rest of this cruise"
 Her returning smile was one of sincere gratitude. "Its nice to have you both think about my well fare. have two friends on board" she said happily. "Tell me more about that fantastic numbers racket. I think that is the worst one of them all. It takes the pen- nies and dimes out of the pockets of housewives and school children. To think that giant octopus racket has invaded our grocery stores. thought the corner gro- cery was an inviolate American in- stitution-"
 "What can the grocer do?" the detective said unhappily. "A fin-