Henderson daily dispatch. (Henderson, N.C.) 1914-1995, 1940-12-12
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10 he yourself. BE simple, because
being simple means being you, and
that's enough for everybody. No
body likes a wise guy. Be content
with knowing that you're what
everybody else thinks you area
nice, lovable. human person.
Gosh. Kit"-he coulu hardly
say it. His hand lowered timidly
over her shoulder that was turned
away from him. Il guess love
doesn't always strike you at first
sight, but that doesn't mean that
you don't fall"
Vance" Kits voice was sharp,
her eyes fixed on the running fig
urc that had come on deck.
His eyes swung arounL to fol-
low it. He could hear the low,
sharp command of the second otfi-
Ger giving orders to one of the
wireless operators at hi- side. The
second officer took the steps to the
bridge two at time as the other
man saluted and hurried off to his
Office.
something's up Vance said.
1.-THE engines have stopped"
"I'll ind out what it is. Stay
here, Kit. Do you understand =?
Stay right here until 7 find out
what goes on. Don't move"
She drew back n the shadows,
her eyes following him as he hur
RED to the deck below. to the
radio Office.
When he came back 70 her, his
face was white, tense.
Kit, you must get below at
once" re said. Don't open our
door until l come for you, WHAT
EVER HAPPENS. You're perfect
ly safe and I'll get you out of this
without anyone ever knowing you
were on shipboard. But you must
not be seem"
What is it, Vance? Tell me-"
Don't be afraid, my darling.
There are a couple of things the
matter, but there's no real danger.
Our cargo of felt is on fire. It's
under control, but it makes a lot
of smoke"
But the engines have stopped"
II know. There's been some
thing wrong with them. Nothing
to do with the fire. Well be here
another four or five hours. There's
absolutely no danger from fire or
anything else. But if this crowd
smells smoke they'll probably start
panic"
"A panic at sea-" she said,
Whitley.
"A disgrace to the line, and Lord |
knows what can happen if they
lose their heads. Sparks tells me
that we'll be intercepted by the
Georgian within the hour. When |
she is in sight, W'yncoop, second |
officer, will go below and announce
what's happened. He doesn't dare
do it until she's sighted"
Cant he tell them now"
NO, dearest. There's been enough |
not going to ho the fash tonight.
. YOU are. First. wen s.rg my
theme sCGg. Taon We'll sing any
thing YOU want. Dut l want you
all TO sing. Remember the story
/ about The man Who said he couldn't
! sing Gooj. but he could sing good
5 and loud? All right, everybody,
: here we go
Just a so:lg at twilight
When the lights ar low :"
, Vance slipped through the CON-
, panionWay and walked across the
. deck to the rail. Back OF him he
heard voices lifted in Kits song
He felt sick.
Dimly he was conscious of foot
steps hurrying on the deck above
, him.
Then he saw it. A great, white
ship steaming toward them.
"Shine on shine on har-
est moon Tor me
and my gal"
They were still singing Justify
back in the salon.
Kit had done it:
The music was muted. There
were few minutes of silence.
Then cheers and applause rent the
air Men and women were pouring
out of the doors to the deck,
sweeping him alorg with them in
their excitement 10 see the Geor-
gian. The excitement, he realized
with that part of him that was not
numb, was the excitement of curl
osity, not the excitement of fear.
He looked for Kit in the desert
cd salon. She was not there.
He found her in his sitting room,
seated on tie lounge where he had
found her four nights before.
Il had to do it, Vance," she said
simply.
He nodded dumbly.
Poor kid" he said. 1T was
sad day when you net up with the
likes of me. guess things are
fixed for you now" |
Il guess they are" she said
cheerfully. She was a funny girl.
Any other girl, knowing shed
thrown away a career, would look
mighty unhappy. She said, What
were you going to say to me up on
deck"
you ought to know now, Kit
You don't think I give darn
about myself, do you? Why do you
suppose it makes me sick in my
heart to know what those people
are going to think bout you?"
They'll forget it when we're
married." she said complacently,
Vance said, Come herew
A few minutes later she said,
Remember when you said this
n hoI hoL