The Washington times., 1936-11-14

! book she'd brought for a present,
held tightly under her arm.
The ship moored to the wharf
loomed like a floating palace
through the open gate. At the gang
plank smartlooking officers and
deck stewards in crisp white coats
stood, smiling and important
Little groups eddied around pas,
sengers standing on the pier, and
the boat was alive with a gay,
laughing, excited crowd Of voy'
ayers and friends.
On the upper deck she saw him,
standing by the rail, alone.
LOWELL" she called, so loud
that he heard her, and people
turned to look.
He made some inaudible an
swer, and disappeared. Two min
utes later he was on the pier,
pushing his way to her side. i
thought you weren't coming! It's
almost sailing time"
"It took so long to walk" she
painted. 'I thought I had all kinds
of time, but the time went and
oh, Lowell-you're going"
IT wanted to come for you
darling, but mother wanted me to
tend to the luggage, and thought
oh, you're here, sweet, you're
here at last!"
He almost pulled her up the
gangpIank. She let him lead her
through corridors, past open doors
in which groups were gathered,
laughing, talking, receiving gifts
of flowers, baskets, boxes. books.
A woman in a mink coat, a
purple orchid bobbing from the
lapel, passed her.
What did it remind her Of?
Of mother, and that day in the
station when they said goodbye
to father. A goodbye that was
really goodbye.
But you will come back?" Her
hands closed on his arms tightly.
Promise me you will come back. y
Darling, with all my heart, I
promise. And when am 21-Such
a little while by the calendar, such
lifetime-I'l come and we'll be
married, and never part again"
They were standing by the rail-
ing, deaf and blind to the people
near them. He'd given up trying
to find a place where they could
be alone.
IT must say goodbye to your
mother and father" she said at
last.
He piloted her up another flight
of stairs to the top deck. They
came to the senora's suite. People
were milling around in it. They
overflowed from the large sitting
room, into the three bedrooms.
each with its perfect appoint
ments, its piled luggage, it's bas-
kets of fruit. its sheaveS of flow
erS.
Mr.. Kramer put down the glass
he held in his hand, came to
Jan. pompous and kindly as he
always was.
cts very good of you, my dear
child, to come to wish us bon voy-
age" he said. He took her hand,
held it absently a moment, then
turned to take a pile of kilograms
and letters from stewards tray.
Excuse me-" he said, absently.
Lowell led Jan to the large room
where the sonora, in biege crepe
banded with sable, stood with her
arms full of flowers.
should have brought some, Jan
thought. Not that the sonora
needed any more, but everyone else
seemed to have brought some. It
made her feel conspicuous, to have
come with empty hands.
"Mother!" Lowell plucked at her
sleeve. "Mother-Jan."
The sonora turned. Her eye
brows arched. Her soft eyes
dropped without recognition upon
the girl her son pushed forward.
Mrs. kramer, Just wanted to
say goodbye, and mother is so
sorry she can't come. but she
sends her best wishes for happy
voyage"
"Why Jan, my child! How sweet
Of you to come. And your dear
mother. to send god wishes. Lowell,
dear, find Jan a chair, and
Oh, Mrs. Sather! and Adelaide,
my dears-"
Lets get out Of here" Lowell
said.
They we're back at the rail now.
PEOPLE crowded from both sides.
A steward passed. playing a chime
Of bells. Somebody cried:
(To Be COntinued)
Copyright, 1888. by King Features
Syndicate. Inc