Evening star., 1937-12-05

IT WAS somewhere off the northwest coast
of Africa that the Steamship Byronic de-
veloped engine trouble. She was not i'll
U named, for in her short career as the very
last thing in pleasure cruise boats, she had
gained reputation for romantic engagements
land other engagements not quite so roman
tic). But Jane Pirie, who was nineteen years
old, and Miss Locke, who was her ex-governess
and wore tippet in the hottest weather, did
not know this.
The breakdown in the Byrosic's engine
room was not serious matter; the main
thing, as always, was to keep the passengers
amused and uncomplaining during the delay.
A depressed committee consisting of Captain
Rookie, the purser, and the staff captain, met
in the captains cabin, to that end.
1t was late, and only four young men were
left in the smoking room. Whisky and soda
had done its kindly Office and those who less
than ten days ago had been strangers re-
garded each other as lifelong friends.
OF the four, Bill Taske was the one who
arrested the eye. Six foot three and with the
shoulders of bull, the gods had evidently
become enthusiastic about their handiwork
and had finished it off with as handsome a
head as could be expected this side of Cali
fornia Women looked at him frankly as if
he were something from another world
1T is pity" he was saying. in his deep
slow drawl, that the prettiest girl on this
ship is rabbit" The others laughed.
"Has she given you the cold shoulder, Bill?"
asked one of them.
Certainly mott"
A short tubby youth with a monocle
drained his glass and ordered another round.
(Which is the bunny" he inquired.
lane Pire." answered Bill. girl who's
towed round by the lady who looks like the
first page of the family album expect she's
the grit in the mechanism, but - what a
waster'
The fat youth busily polished his eyeglass.
why do you call her rabbit" he asked.
Because she is! She's just like pink
and white Victorian pet rabbit. She doesn't
even use lipstick And don't know what
she's done with herself since she was kid,
but she can't play any games and she looks
scared to death if she's asked to!'
Perhaps she finds Bill idea of game
bit frighteningr" put in another, and chuckled
into his drink.
mo, seriously" returned Bill Its pretty
amazing in this year of grace. The kid seems
to have all the whoopee left out of her; as if
she'd come to sea to qualify for nunnery!'
Poor, poor Bill" murmured the fat youth.
Bill Taske flushed angrily. Didn't | tell
you I've hardly spoken two words to her?'
Two words and faced his Waterloo!
Don't be silly asst
The fat youth adjusted his eyeglass and
gave Bill prolonged scrutiny. "Oh. blond
giant" he said. you are blushing! Jane, the
rabbit, has found the heel of Achilles! Queer
how these Don Juans always crash heavily for
the mousy ones!"
Bill got up slowly and swayed little.
Il will bet you" he said solemnly, "a flyer
to dry Martini that will get the rabbit to
sit up and do tricks!"
The fat youth smiled. "And l repeat, my
dear Bill he said, "Waterloo!'
Now the whole business of the wager was
extremely bad manners and not to be excused
on any account whatever. And, indeed, had
it not been for the whisky, ii was not thing
that Bill would have done. In the morning he
was definitely ashamed of the whole affair,
but he argued to himself that it was only
bit of fun, that it would probably do the
rabbit lot of good and open up to her, so to
speak, whole packet of fun which was lying