Evening star., 1938-03-06
Il wrecked a ship. It threatened
to wreck two lives.
What happened is waiting For
you in the climax Of this
gripping story
bv RICHARD HOFFMAN

showed him. Behind her came the girl. lead
ing pudgy little boy whose age Give wasn't
equipped to judge She handed the boy in
after his mother, let 60 his hand. and reached
for the doorknob. The boy looked up in
solemn disappointment and said in stage
whisper, Aren't you coming in too. Aunt
Adee?"
Aunt Adele's face underwent fascinating
transformation Her red, pursed lips smiled
freely over white teeth and she bent forward
little as if to caress the boy with her dark
eyes. MY darling. l am," she said in low
warmth. In just second. sweet" Then she
pulled the door quietly to. holding it there.
When she turned her face to Give, the mouth
was little pursed again and her eyes had
hidden the shining tenderness under their
private reproof. She held out her hand, and
Give took it in his. Il wish l could thank
you" she said.
Give bowed briefly and said. "You have"
Hearing himself say it, he wondered how long
it was since he'd made any remark 50 near to
grace. He added Good night" abruptly and
left her.
There was fog coming quickly and silently
over the Hook that sheltered the harbor
from the ocean. In little while the decks
wore skin of wet, and the ships half-speed
progress through the slick water was muffled
by the cottony glow of its own lights. The
whistle began periodic blast within this soft
room; and between times the lament of other
fog warnings sounded from shifting directions.
The damp and chill sent the few other passen-
gers below.
Give straddled the rail. his back against
stanchion, closed his eyes and felt the wet
caress of the fog on his cheeks At this cautious
speed, it might be an hour before they cleared
the Hook. He had to wait for that, where the
tide would be free to run with him, not leave
him perhaps to spoil some picnic on the dunes
or shock some blithe schoolboy playing pirate.
The fog, with its shrouded sadness was good
setting: there need be no cry of MAN over
board!" and if there were. it would be futile
to turn and try to find him.
Il wasn't gracious about it" a low voice
said at his elbow They're all asleep now.
wanted to tell you, and thank you again.
Aren't you afraid you'll fall over, sitting like
that?"
BY the sound of her voice he could tell
vividly how her eyes were looking - the dark,
reproachful eyes that implied an effort of
pride in asking favors of stranger.
Il shan't fall over" he said, swinging one
leg inboard to stand before her dimly-seen
presence. I'm very glad you gave me the
chance to do this"
They're alone in the world, almost - ex-
cept for me and the uncle where they're
going, on the island, she went on, as if it were
due him to know. "She was so happy once, 50
full of hope; and then her husband died, before
the little one was born. It's funny the kind of
people Fate picks to show what trouble is"
"You sound as if you knew little bit about
it yourself" Give said, his voice involuntarily
gentle, respectful.
people like you and me we don't know
anything about trouble"
Perhaps not" Give said, with no will to
argue. He heard the foghorn on Porpoise Reef
now, and that was halfway to the Hook. The