Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-01-24

and pay her expenses for six months
absence. Her mother took her savings
and bought her what might have been
charming trousseau. How the poor
woman wished it was! All that was
lacking was the white satin. the veil,
groom. She cried into the trunks, as
she packed them for Irene.
The girl looked about her with
calculating eye, as she sauntered
through the lounge, after she had got
her things settled in her stateroom
and been allotted her seat In the din
ing salon. So far everything had gone
Just as she would have had it. She
was to share the stateroom with \
quiet. elderly woman, a Mrs. Mayne,
who appeared to be inoffensive and
agreeable.
The lounge was almost deserted
She wandered about, admiring the
luxuriously padded chairs and sofas.
the richly colored brocades.
Beyond the lounge was a narrow
writing room and beyond that q room
with small tables, an extra bar, and
table for table tennis. Two Young
men were playing at it. Two others
were looking on, and short, fat man
was standing by the bar with whisky
and soda in his hand. A carefully
dressed middleaged man with a small
dark mustache was seated at table,
slipping a glass of sherry and smoking
cigar. Irene looked in at them
through the glass door. trying to make
up her mind to go in.
She opened the door and strolled
into the room. She stood near the
young men. watching the table tennis.
The players did badly. The ball was
on the floor as often as on the table.
She saw that they were conscious Of
her presence and she smiled at them.
The nearest turned to her.
Have a CO." he said. I'm simply
awful at It,"
Il don't play" she answered. But
well somebody else take a turn"
he said.
Nobody wanted to. He and his OPP
ponent went to the bar and ordered
drinks. They were obviously English
men. The two onlookers began to talk
to her Her heart gave leap when
they told her that they were Ameri-
cans and were connected with the
film industry. One of them worked in
the studios cutting film. The other
was scenario writer. Their names
we're Kraus and McNab. Kraus sug-
bestSd eAas eAiSy SlAouia Aose q "a I'm
and she took a glass Of sherry with
. smile that drew him and McNab
into little friendly circle. excluding
the others. A gentle vibration ran
through the ship. She felt that. at
last, she was really on her way.
The two Englishmen went to win
dow to look out at a large sailing
vessel they were passing. She and
McNab and Kraus Joined them. A few
minutes later they all were talking
amiably together. The Englishmen's
names were Carter and Richards
They were business men who repre-
sented old country firms in America.
They had crossed together several
times.
She took little interest in them ex-
cept for the fact that they were lively
takers and that Richards was very
good looking. with chestnut hair and
fresh color In his cheeks.
The man with the dark mustache
and the short stout man did not Join
them but they stared appraisingly at
Irene She felt as though she we're
already on the way to success. When
other people came into the room Irene
and the four young men sat down
at table and more drinks were or
dered by Kraus. They talked like old
friends together. These men were un-
like any the girl had ever met. They
we're easy, calm and full Of worldly
wisdom. After time the stout man
joined them. He was very shy and
his being there did not matter one