Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1938-10-01

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that her head had been raised tensely
from her bunk and she lowered It,
thinking. with a calm that was almost
happiness. Why-I have been struggling
with phantoms for such long
while
For six years she had been building
on the things she wished for In Tom
rather than on those that were there.
For six years she had been nobly bury
ing her appointments IN him when
ne failed to live up 70 her ideas
rather than change those IDEAS, so
there need be no more noble burying.
There were stifled sounds from the
other bunk which were not enough like
the tapping Of the waters outside 70
hide the fact that Sylvia was crying
Poor Sylvia, who wasn't important any
more. and somehow knew It. Poor Syl-
via who must certainly be allowed TO
keep whatever Illusion she had left
for there was so much work to be
done ON herself, Kit knew now, be-
lore she could ever get to little things
like Sylvia.
At twelve she got up and went in to
the forecastle to wake Tom as he had
asked her to do, and hoping that Sylvia
was asleep tried 70 demonstrate with
him IN lowered tones for the consider
able argument that he always required
before he could be aroused.
In this state Tom could carry on
conversation which sounded perfectly
intelligent, which he could not remem-
Der when he was finally aroused. Hence
when he turned away from her and
sighed, Changed my mind-we1l all
sleep till three" she pulled him back
and started once more TO nag, to be in
terrupted by the slatty spectacle Of
Sylvia in pajamas with her hair stand
ing out around her shoulders in
Maenad-nke spirals.
Why don't you leave him alone?"
she Kissed. Why don't you leave us all
alone2 He's captain Of the ship isn't
he? If he wants to sail at three why
don't you let him have his sleep?"
Kit dropped Toms arm, which fell
like the trunk of a tree. IAN right.
she said meekly. and went back to her
bunk. Not for her to explain that Tom
wasn't responsible for what he said in
these moments. No, no more Of his lit
tie foibles were to be exposed by her, I
now that Sylvia had asked for the
dream and left her the substance.
Some time In the small hours she
was conscious that the engine had
started so Tom must finally have
q " sAfNN&ANNs IA AA4AAE AeAN[A 1AA~ 49, NA~~
heave of the ship and heard the groan-
ing of the ropes. She knew the engine
was off and they were under way, and
she didn't like 1t any more than usual.
She felt as If she hadn't slept at all
when she finally awakened to the re-
Voting smell of frying bacon and
voices raised in acute diSharmony
out Of sight.
We won't reach Guilty Hunk TIL ten
With the best hours of the swordfish-
ng over. Why didn't Kit wake me2'
Il told her not to. You said you'd
changed your mind"
You told her? Since when we're you
kipper of this Ship"
7 was taking your orders. You
hanged them. You said"
1T doesn't matter what I say when
IN coming out of my sleep Kit knows
hat. Where is she anyway? Why didn't
'ou wake her?"
81 wasn't aware that the captain had
rdered me to wake her. II you are sure
on mean Il and are not stiu coming
ut Of your sleep I'll do 1t now"
Vaguely Kit wondered why she was
lot more interested in this CONVERSE
ion. She tried to lift her head off the
illow and then she knew.
Mrs Hallowell." said Sylvia haught-
y from the door. do you want some
reak-Oh"
tom says it's all mental" Kit
anted. But this time never thought
( 1t, what with thinking about other
here 1t iS-just the same
'"Tom," said Sylvia, sis not always
ss.Look outl" said Kit, staggering up,
nd making a mad dash for the wash
)om. When she came out Sylvia helped
er back to the bunk.
I'D better call Tom" she said.
"Oh, no don'tl" Kit cried. Tom
mt stand people being sick. Last fan
hen had the flu he couldn't come
the rooml"
~Too bad about him., said Sylvia.
Wen, he's going to come In this room.
Only dinily through her, agony did
IL realize that she had perhaps said
Imething wrong But Sylvia had gone
I'd hours later, for every moment now
as an hour, she returned with Tom
ho was looking big and shiningly
salthy and very much put out.
Are you really sick, Katherine2' he
i'd. TT isn't q bit rough outside, you
low. just a nice little breeze"
Kit couldn't answer.
Don't you think" he said, that II
u got dressed and went up on deck
ID tried TO steer 1t would distract
ur mind?'
mo" she gasped. Go away. No
yes" said Sylvia. you'd better go
7ay." "