The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-04-18

| Then, from the center of the widening circle of small riplets, they saw Mrs. O'Hara's head ap- pear, her hair Clinging to her face in long, staggly strands, her spotless white hat still on her head but not so spotless, and pushed down in front so that only her mouth showed. And this mouth worked convuslively, as if she would shout forth her venge- ance, but the oily water surround ing the ship had filled 1t too full for words.
 On the stairway, where he now stood upright and secure, MT. O'Hara gazed down upon his wifeS unfortunate plight. There was dis tresS, dull but sincere, written in his expression. And he put himself out to assume an attitude of gallantry; he bowed from the waist, unsteadily but graciously, as if to say: Madam, I'm sorry I stepped on your foot"
 Like a plump white rubber duck slowly deflating, the woman flound- cred about in the water. Strong arms reached out for her. but she was beyond their reach. There was only one thing left to do. One of the crew tossed out life preserver and Mrs. O'Hara was dragged to the platform, dripping and grimy. She stood up, still imperious. Then, with a last flounce of dignity, she pro- ceeded up the steps, from whence her husband had disappeared in miraculously short moment. She walked past the gaping passengers, her head high, her eyes burning in wild arrogance. And as she walked, water oozed out of her shoes and dripped from her clothing, leaving a trail for memory.
 Dick shook his head, chuckling. Let me give you one bit of advice, he offered. Don't play bridge with her tonight"
 Standing at the rail they watched the quick and efficient weighing of the ships huge anchor, the closing of the gangWay. In a remarkably short time the Empress was under way again, moving slowly away from the island where so much had hap pened in the last few hours.
 Dick spun his cigaret far out into the water, and they returned to their chairs. For a while they sat there quietly, watching the Bermuda shore line fade more and more into the distance. Joyce wondered when she thought too of the grief they had left behind them, the loss of Obadiah Jones' boat Evidently Dicks thought were on the same subject, for presently he said, sim ply:
 q saw Obadiah this morning"
 Joyce frightened. I'm so glad you did, Dick!" she said heartily. q was just thinking of him. It took him seven years to buy the boat"
 He nodded, thoughtfully. And seven seconds to rip the bottom out of it, because I was in hurry to get to a dance"
 HOW QlQ you 1lllu IllIl!
 q asked for him on the wharf One of his friends told me where he lived. Boy, I felt like a heel when I went in the door! You'd think the boat was part of the family; even the tiniest picka- ninny was crying about it.'
 "It was their livelihood, I sup pose .
 More than that. It was the one possession which gave them importance and prominence. I'm sure they felt much about the boat as one of us might feel about losing our home, or the business we'd built up over a period Of years"
 What will they do now?"
 Slowly, a little sheepishly, he reached into his pocket and brought forth note, handing 1t over for Joyce to read.
 'Dere Lady we thank you for the new bote and god bless you ."
 She looked up in quick aston ishment. T don't understand, Dick"
 T gave Obadiah that hundred dollar-b bill you wouldn't take ."
 "Oh, Dick!" There was sud- den catch in her voice. So this was his secret mission! Then, to hide her emotion, she added, crisply: You probably paid great deal more than that"
 He shook his head. "Very little. Obadiah knew splendid bargain in a secondhand boat, with more speed, so he said, than the old one
 Joyce looked at him steadily. Dick Hamilton" she said sin cerely. T think you're one of the