Evening star., 1941-07-20

them INTO the lounge LOT COCKlallS
A white -jacketed Filipino served. II
was very pleasant. Stacey Var
Arden was good host.
They had been aboard but a few
minutes when Sheriff Haskln ar
rived. The law officer was his usual
picturesque self he looked like some
thing out of the old West. He was
gaunt and leathery. his untidy mus
tache was tobacco stained. His
9rinkled coat hung open and under
It he wore a holstered gun
Stacey Van Arden took him to the
bar first for a drink, then introduced
him around. Haskin chuckled anC
said: Il didn't know I was intrudin
on a party, folks. Just dropped ir
to see if Mr.. Van Arden was all safe
and sound"
He came and sat on a sofa with
Phil Howard and Stephanie. He
eyed Stephanie critically, then said;
MAIN, you certainly are as pretty
as a picture "
"Oh. thank you" said Stephanie
"You are fiatterer-but kind"
Phil watched, amused. Women
like Stephanie were rare thing in
the glade country. And the sheriff
to Stephanie, was something new
They became good friends all in a
few minutes.
The Sheriff Recalls.
Stephanle said: You are like the
Americans in stories and in movies
sheriff With your mustache and
gun. You ride horse, no?"
We'll. not for the last 20 years.
You can't catch lawbreakers nova
days riding a horse"
You catch many lawbreakerS?
Outlaws? GangSterS?"
I've picked up a few in my time
There was Jake Mingaloe-"
Haskins voice trailed away. There
vas a faraWay look of nostalgia in
his old eyes. 1t was clear that he
lived mostly in the past; that he was
an old-timer with memories.
Who was Jake Mingaloe?' Steph-
anie asked, brightly interested.
He was quite hombre. The
captain must remember Jake, Ell
captain?"
Phil nodded. II remember. He
was rumrunner back in prohibition
days. The newspapers were full OF
him for time, 10 years ago"
Stephanie frightened. All, and
you captured this Jake, no?'
"I reckon I did. ma am. And right
here in the glades. He was staying
here in Seaberth. posing as fish
erman. Oh, he was quite a sports
man He spent money high, wide
and handsome"
He was dangerous. Sheriff.
asked Stephanie, intrigued.
Some. When I figured who he
was and went to arrest him he
pulled gun. I had to plug him.
Stephanie's eyes were excited
She said. as if she were breathless
And you sent him to prison?"
Yep. Jake got 90 years. You
see, he'd murdered cop up North
He died in prison about three
months ago. I felt plumb bad about
that, him getting out of prison
ahead of time"
Van Arden Confident.
Funny thing" Haskin went on
"but the courts never found out
what Jake did with all the money
he made rum runnin'. Rumors crop
up now an then that he hid il
somewhere here in the glades. If
he did he sure did it good. Folks
from Seaberth searched all over
but they never found any cache"
How much money did he leave?"
asked Stephanie.
"Oh, maybe a million. Nobody
knows just how much"
"Ah, that is lot of money, nor"
Haskin agreed it was. He got UP,
bowed gallantly to Stephanie, then
said goodnight all around and left
the lounge. Phil Howard followed
him to deck, and Stacey Van Arden
came moment later.
Phil said, mo signs of Veretti,
Sheriff."
Mary sign"
oh, Veretti is a hundred miles
sway by now" Van Arden said. He
wouldn't hang around these parts
to be picked up"
Sheriff Haskin considered him
gravely. Maybe you're right, sir
But If Veretti is feudin' with YOU
you'd better keep your eyes Open"
Don't worry about me-" Van Ar
den replied. MY crew won't let him
get near the yacht"
After the sheriff went ashore Van
Arden suggested dancing on the
afterdeck. He had a phonograph
there, and the Filipino steward put
on dance records. Van Arden asked
Joan Hammond to dance, and 1t
Hughes danced with Helen Bren-
nan. Phil Howard turned to Ste
phanie, asking her with his eyes
Stephanie came smilingly into his
arms.
Phil in Love.
1t was pleasant dancing with Ste.
phanie in the moonlight. 1t wa.
more-it was close to ecstacy. Ste
phanie was utterly desirable and
when she was close, Phil Howard
desired her. He couldn't deny il
He was In love with her. His friend
ship for Jim Mason, her engage
ment to Jim Mason, couldn't change
that.
Stephanie whispered, "This il
heaven, Philip. You may not know
it, but I do After what I hav,
known, it is paradise"
Our host lives like a king" Phi
said, II agree with that"
But you could, too. You are rich
no?"
Not like Stacey, Stephanie.
don't own a mint"
"Ah, you are modest"
She laughted little, then put he,
blonde head against his shoulder
They danced on like that, and Phi
wanted badly to put his arms al
the way about her. And kiss her.
Stephanie said, Where did a sol
der get so much money" Philip
You did not make it in business?
He didn't want to talk abou
money. Vaguely, he said, "Oh,