The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-14
CAST OF CHARACTRRs
CHAPTER W

CHAPTER W
 Next morning the sun rose on tranquil sea of lapis-lazuli blue Joyce stared out of her port, scarce ly believing that the angry seas could settle down so peacefully over night. Far of on the horizon, she could see Q narrow, dark short linel marking the division between green- blue sky and deep-blue sea. That was Bermuda in the distance, and in another few hours she would be walking in the shadow of it's royal palms. That is, provided she decided to leave the ship. She recalled she had no shore tickets.
 She could not know that directly above her the decision was being made.
 "1'll arrange everything with Miss Miner" Mrs. oPrter was explaining to Isobel. "You shall spend the day with Richard. And be careful, Isobel. Be very careful. Don't speak about Miss Miner at all; don't disparage her in any way. The young man has a protective feeling toward her. naturally. He feels responsible not that believe she had any hun- dred dollars in her bag"
 Isobel, dainty in her pink negli- gee, her blond curls tucked carefully under net cap, looked disdainful. "She's just stenographer," she pointed out.
 Her mother sighed. "There are times when I wish you were a stenographer, too. A girl In business has opportunities. Now hurry and get to the dining room while I speak to her"
 A moment later she knocked on the door of C-214. Joyce opened 1t expectantly. :,
 "Oh, good morning, Mrs. Porter" "
 Good morning, my dear. Are you feeling better?"
 I'm so well that I believe 1t was all imagination"
 Not at all. Your first trip, you know. I suppose we're hardened to such weather-oh, 1t does bother Isobel, terribly, but she managed to get to dinner. ,. But now, my dear, I've been worrying about you. You didn't, I hope, lose your shore ex- cursion tickets. Or hadn't you bought them?"
 Joyce smiled ruefully. "Yes, l bought them"
 And they were in your bag, too? Flow unfortunate! How very dis tressing!" She shook her head synn- pathetically. However, believe can manage a way for you"
 That's very kind of you, Mrs. Porter"
 "Nonsensel That's what I'm on the ship for, you know, to see that everybody has good time." She smiled disarmingly. Nov there's trip ashore today-really my dear, I wouldn't want you to miss 1t.
 T would like to go," Joyce ad- mittedly honestly, If there were any way"
 '"There is a way-as my assistant. Usually I ask one of the stew ardesses, or, as in your case, one of the younger passengers. All you do is collect tickets for me, at the car riage station in Hamilton. And see that the guests are assigned to the carriages and started of promptly. Then we'll all go together, you and Isobel and MT. Hamilton and l, in the last carriage"
 Joyce was delighted. "It's lovely of you to do this, Mrs. Porter" she said gratefully. Under the circum- stances I wasn't even sure of going ashore"
 T know, my dear. And young girl nowadays doesn't like to be de- pendent. Will you be ready to go ashore in the first tender with me?" she asked.
 "Yes. I'll have breakfast imme- diately."
 "Are you ready now9 We can go in together.
 They found Isobel and Dr. Gray alone at the table. MT. Gregory was probably still sleeping of his sea- sickness, the doctor ventured, and young MT. Hamilton had eaten half an hour ago. He was probably up on deck, looking about for someone, he added, with a sly wink at Joyce. A moment later Isobel excused her. self.
 Dick was standing alone at the head of the gangplank leading down to the tender when Joyce went upstairs. Already a good num- ber of passengers were assembled all eager to go ashore on this first boat. He called to her. and drew her out of range of the crowd.
 "You're going ashore with me aren't you, Joyce?" he asked hope fully.
 "I'd love to, Dick, but"
 "But what?"
 "Mrs. Porter asked me to be her assistant on the shore excursion and I promised that I would"
 He frowned. "You don't have tc do anything like that, Joyce"
 "But want to. I'm terribly grate- full for the opportunity. And well all be together, Dick"
 'The Porters, you and I. Vel take the last carriage"
 "T prefer carriages for two. don't see why you won't go with me, Joyce. I asked you, yesterday"