The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-15
CAST OF CHARACTERS
CHAPTER V

CHAPTER V
 Joyce returned to the Empress on the 5:30 tender. It had been a de- lightful day ashore, in spite of Mrs. Porter.
 She went to her cabin, considering a brief rest before dressing for din ner. But she found a note, on ships stationery, tucked in the corner of >the mirror.
 Joyce" she read, twill you meet me in the indoor swimming pool at 6 o'clock?" She did not need the signature to tell her that 1t was from Dick.
 Immediately the thought of rest was forgotten; swim, she de- cided quickly, would be far more refreshing after warm day ashore.
 She found him alone in the blue tile tank, watching for her.
 Come on in!" he invited cheer lily. The waters fine"
 "Cold?"
 "Warm as your own bathtub, after you're wet"
 She walked around to the lad der. "It's always the getting wet that hurts" But she jumped in quickly. And as she sWam the the length of the pool, warming up, she felt Dicks eyes upon her.
 "Boy!" he cried appreciatively You swim like a fiSh!"
 ' T ought to. They threw me in the ocean before I could walk J
 They idled around the pool, matching each others strokes.
 q thought we were all going to be together today he said finally.
 Joyce hesitated to speak of Mrs. Porter's trickery. After all, it might have been an error. So she explained vaguely: "There was some mixup in the carriages"
 For a moment he regarded her out of the corner of his eye, speculatively. You're cold, proud princess" he declared at length, land I don't understand you at all. But I've got to take tf1e more chance Joyce, will you come ashore with me to- night?"
 Her head popped out of the water and she nodded eagerly. 'I'd love to!"
 "Just you and l." he added. "1'm tired of Mrs. Porter's man. Ari,, Cha foLnc hocl n first year at prep school. There's a dance out at the Mid-Ocean Club tonight. A friend in New York gave me special guest tickets"
 Tt sounds exciting ."
 There's usually good crowd out there. It's private club, you know" He said it modestly, more for her assurance than in any attempt to set himself up.
 We haven't much time to dress and dine" Joyce pointed out '"The last tender leaves the ship at 8:3O."
 "I've a better idea,' Dick of fered Forget the tender. It will be too crowded with Mrs. Porter and her special arrangements"
 How do we get ashore then?"
 Well get launch. AS mat ter of fact, I made a tentative date on the wharf this afternoon. With young darkey named Obadiah Jones, believe it or not"
 Joyce laughed "It sounds like a very promising evening. I'll wear my very best dress, to meet Obadiah"
 But 1t was more than that thought which prompted her to dress with special care this evening. For one thing, it was her first appearance at dinner. And secondly, she had lit tie victory to celebrate. For all of Mrs. Porter's well-laid plans, Dick would be hers for this evening.
 After dinner Dick and Joyce waited until the last passenger boarded the tender and they heard the shrill blast of its whistle. Then they went on deck to watch it disappear in the darkness.
 "There goes our faithful chap eron Mrs. Porter" Dick remarked without regret. "Now to find Obadiah"
 The Negro was already waiting for them, his tiny motorboat edged up close to the side of the ship A moment later they were drift ing away from the big ship, their motor was sputtering to life, and Obadiha turned towards the lights of Hamilton.
 The mile and half seemed an incredible distance across this stretch of inky-black water, and Joyce stared back with misgivings at the security of the Empress, so quickly disappearing from their reach. She sat quite still, holding her breath, and hoping that MT. Jones could find his way around these impenerably black waters.
 Obadiah" Dick said presently, "do we have to go all around the buoy? You'd save half mile go- ing in straight"
 The boatsman hesitated. "The waters pretty shallow in spots, boss" he pointed out. These are all coral reefs :"
 T know. But your boat doesn't draw much water. does it?"
 Two feet. Maybe I can cut across up past the water tower. know my way there"
 
 Cm AMaSIMA