The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1938-04-13
CAST OF CHARACTERS
by MARION WHITE

Yesterday: Dick goes ashore al
Hamilton on some special MISSION
ard Mr.. Gregory asks Joyce 10 go
v.;,h him. She declines, hoping
Dick will call her instead
CHAPTER VII ,.,.
Dick MAS waiting at the SHIP :
rail when Joyce came aboard
81 tried to see you this morn
ing" he said, but pr. Gray chaT,
cd me off. Joyce, are you an
right"
"Of course am, Dick.
You might have caught pnru-
monia.' ,L;,u
Nonsense. The whole tnlnS
seems nothing at all in Daylight
Here, let's sit down q mo-
mrn,." lie led her over to MS
lcck chair. The whole row OF
chairs was deserted now, WIN
most of the passengers Just re-
turned from shore or watching
for late arrivals.
"HeliCvc me, We won't try any
moro tricks like that. was all
SET To suggest another happy two
some in Havana Friday night, but
I don't dare. Den tag along with
the sheep. You'tl come with me-
joyce
Her eyes twjnkled. Il even
dared to hope you'd ask me.
For A moment he regarded her
SpcCulatiyely. II still can't be
SURF Of Won. First | thought 1t
was p"rvcr,;ity that wouldn't let
Us get toccther-your perverSlty.
iE YOU remember yesterday morn
ing. Hut after last night, I'm
willing to- believe that il must be
destiny
Dent talk like that. I'll eN-
pcCt' an earthquake in Havana
or at least another revolution.
He laughed. Then we'd better
stick close 10 Mrs. Porter. L do
believe sho could manage a rcv"-
luton"
Undoubtedly. You saw what
happened last night 10 the first
two rebels.
He took out cigaret, Liz it,
SLOWLY and leaned back IN his
chair. watching a group of small
fishing boats off shore. In about
fiyr. minutes the Empress would
BE- leaving Bermuda for their next
port Of call, Nassau in the Ba-
hantaS. Already the sailors were
preparing for departure, though
the companipnway had not been
raised.
Suddenly Joyce Strengthened in
her chair. II wonder what's go
ing on she said, looking astern.
The passengers were grouped at
the rail now, staring intcntly
down ~ the water, and there was
a great shouting and commotiou.
Lets See Dick jumped to his
feet aud pulled her out Of the
chair.
Standing at the rail, they saw
two srlau launches drawing ~ to
the unsteady floating platform of
the ccmpauionway, The first was
bringing back a happy but un-
steady Mr.. O'Hara, and watching
him. one wondered how ne would
ever be able to accomplish the
rickcty steps under his own pow
or. They we're narrow steps. with
only a flimSy hand-rail for a
steady arm TO grasp. In the sec
ohd launch. Mrs, O'Hara sat in
grim and arrogant determination.
ObliYious to the comments and
the commOtiop.
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. Mr.. O'Hara Stod up
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 miracle.
Now seaman Steadied him and
started him on his way up the
steps. where another member of
the crew came forward TO. meet
him. 81. ......
The first launch backed off,
making way for the second. Mrs.
OiHara, still imperiously attrac-
hive 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
hold. but Mr.. O'Hara was a heavy
man. Back ne 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 u long moment Of
suspense.
Then, from the center Of the
widening circle of small riple+s.
they saw Mrs. O'Hara's head ap-
pear. her hair cfnging 10 her
face in long. StragGly strands, her
SpeuesS white hat still on her
head but not so SpotlcSS, and
pushed down in front so that only
her mouth showed. And this
mouth worked convulsively, as If
she would shout forth her vcnge-
ancc. hut the oily water surround
Ing the ship had filled it too full
for words.
On the stairway, where he now
stood upright and secure, Mr..
O'Hara gazed down upon his
wife's unfortunate plight. There
was distress, duh but sincere,
written in his exnreSSinn- And he