The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-18
CHAPTER VII

rail when Joyce came aboard.
 T tried to see you this morn- ing" he said, but Dr. Gray chased me of. Joyce, are you all right?"
 ''Of course I am, Dick"
 "You might have caught pneu- monia."
 "Nonesense. The whole thing seems nothing at all in daylight"
 Here, let's sit down moment" :" he led her over to his deck chair. The whole row of chairs was de- serted now, with most sof the pas sengers just returned from shore or watching for late arrivals.
 Believe me, we won't try any more tricks like that. I was all set to suggest another happy two- some in Havana Friday night, but I don't dare. We'll tag along with the sheep. You'll come with me, Joyce?"
 Her eyes twinkled. T even dared to hope you'd ask me"
 For moment he regarded her Speculatively. T still can't be sure of you. First I thought it was perversity that wouldn't let us get together - your perversity, if you remember yesterday morning. But after last night, I'm willing to be- ieve that it must be destiny ;"
 Don't talk like that! I'll ex- pect an earthquake in Havana - or at least another revolution"
 He laughed. Then we'd better stick close to Mrs. Porter. I do believe she could manage a revo- 1ution."
 Undoubtedly. You saw what happened last night to the first two rebels"
 He took out cigaret, lit it slowly and leaned back in his chair, watching group of small fishing boats off shore. In about five minutes the Empress would be leaving Bermuda for their next port of call, Nassau in the Ba- hamas. Already the sailors were preparing for departure, though the companionway had not been raised.
 Suddenly Joyce strengthened in hec chair. T wonder what's going on." she said, looking astern. The passengers were grouped at the rail now, staring intently down at the water, and there was great shout ing and commotion.
 "Let's seep Dick jumped to his fest and pulled her out of the chair.
 Standing at the rail, they saw two small launches drawing up to the unsteady floating platform of the companionway. The first was bringing back happy but unsteady MT. O'Hara, and watching him, one wondered how he would ever be able to accomplish the rickety steps under his own power. They were narrow steps, with only a f1imsy hand-rail for steady arm to grasp. In the second launch, Mrs. O'Hara sat in grim and arrogant determin- ation, oblivious to the comments and the commotion.
 That's my bridge partner" Joyce pointed out.
 Dick laughed. "The old man certainly waited to finish his last rubber"
 As the first launch drew up to the platform, MT. O'Hara stood ap confidently and managed to lift an uncertain leg. The fact that it lifted over the launch and landed securely on the platform was nothing short of a miracle. Now a seaman steadied him and started him on his way up the steps, where another member of the crew came forward to meet him.
 The first launch backed off, making way for the second. Mrs. O'Hara, still imperiously attrac- tive in her immaculate white suit, stepped over and started up. Her husband was nearing the top.
 But the effort proved too much. The energy required to climb had borrowed too much power from his legs and his foot slipped. True. a seaman was in front to catch a hold, but Mrs. O'Hara was heavy man. Back he went, down the stairway, and the dead weight of his body struck his wife with sud- den force.
 On deck passengers gasped as they heard a splash. They held their breath in long moment of suspense.