Evening star., 1937-02-28
Mosozins Section

Tell me - what time is it," the girl asked.
Niels glanced at his watch. "A quarter past
three"
"Quarterpastthree 'sherepeatedinstartled
tones. Good heavens! didn't know it was
that late!'
Niels went to get the coffee pot, but stopped
half way and turned to the girl Perhaps you
would like some water to wash up bit?"
That would be NICE" she replied.
Niels walked out on deck and filled the
wash basin from a freshwater tank, then
brought the basin into the cabin and put it on
the chair. Here's the water, Miss" he said
And here's clean towel and piece of
soap" He put his hand on the door knob. III
go outside while you get yourself ready"
He stepped out, closed the door behind him
and spent the time looking into the mist. Two
long masses stretched across the river and
were lost in the fog on the opposite shore
the Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges, i'm
mense in the mist like the groping arms of
a giant.
The siren beloved moodily. Niels knit his
brow. Now the girl would soon be going. And
where would she 60? Into the mist? Back to
the city? She, among those heaven -storming
buildings She among those hard-faced.
hurryng people! She . so small, so young!
Whatever would happen to her? Perhaps the
girl was alone in the world. Alone, as he HIM
self was alone. And there was nothing he could
do. Nothing really. She with her fine clothes,
her gold bracelet Now suppose he had been
something better than barge captain. Then
ho voiUht h,,fy hot bo, & y.cb
ing! He could never ask her to stay.
Come in," the girl called. She was busy
with powder puff. Thanks" she said, smil-
ing up at him. That water sure freshened
me up"
HIM that's good" Niels replied and
carried out the basin. When he returned the
girl eyed him roguishly: she put out her foot
and turned and wriggled it. mo shoe," she
lamented in make believe distress
Here Ill get it for you, Niels said and
brought her shoes and placed them on the
floor before her.
But the girl made no sign of putting them
on She kept wriggling her little slk-covered
foot. Her lips pouted.
Nels looked puzzled. There" He pointed
at the shoes.
The girl raised her accusing eyes to him;
she put her toes into one of the shoes and
lifted it up in the air.
Niels squimed. . Did she mean . :?
Shall - hm - help?" he stammered.
The girl nodded. smiling.
And so for the first time in his life Barge
Captain Niels Thorwaldsen helped girl on
with her shoes. A really pretty girl, and small
high-heeled shoes. Considering that this was
the first time, he did it very we'll. But his face
was scarlet.
Thanks very much" the girl murmured.
Her voice grew detected. She turned to the
window and stared out into the fog. Some of
the hardness returned to her young face; her
large dark eyes became troubled. Niels busted
himself with the coffee cups. There was silence
in the cabin. There was deep silence without.
A watchful silence as though hidden behind
the river mist was something L.. waiting
>. hiding =.
Suddenly the girl pulled herself out of her
thoughts and assumed carefree air. She
glanced at the table. We've entirely forgot
ten the coffee" she said. 1T smells so good.
I'm terrible hungry" She went and sat on
the bunk.
Niels poured her cup of steaming coffee.
"Ah!' The girl inhaled the aroma. While she
munched on piece of cake she looked about
her in the cabin. Il never saw anything so