The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-04-06
THE RUSE Chapter II

The fog deepened Into Q flashing storm before the night was out, and the freighteF plowed a slow, harried course southward along the coast.
 It was late afternoon of the fol- lowing day before they ran out of the storm, and the wallowlng of the small boat settled to Q rhyth. mic roll. The sun dropped over the rim of the sea leaving Q nam- ig efterglow. For the first time all five passengers appeared in the small dining room for dinner.
 Barry Fielding came first. He was e born sailor, and rough weather only sharpened his sea appetite. The captain introduced the three men coming in next. Two were joint owners of Q rub- Der plantation in Brazil. The third an elderly lighthouse keeper. Barry told them he was a mining engineer.
 "Tm afraid Miss Topping won't make It." the captain said as he led the way to the table. she's been having e bad tirne."
 Barry smiled. "Fine," he said, Shell get of ct Santiago then and go back - which is exactly what she should do."
 "You think so, MT. Fielding?"
 The five men turned sharply to- ward the door, at the sound of the feminine voice.
 Allison Topping was posed dra- matIcally in the doorway, her celebrated figure in Sequin even" ing gown silhouetted against the flaming sky. She came slowly for. ward, her delicate lips forming Q provocative smiling pout. She had piled her honey colored hair m careless curls atop her small head, There were dark circles under her violet eyes and tiny veins showed at her temples under the chalky pallor of her skin.
 The four passengers and the captain leaped So Q man to pun @ chair for her.
 Barry said severely, You shouldn't have come down to. night"
 She slumped into his chair and glanced up ct him with a slow smile. T was afraid she said faintly. "that - heartless people would try to influence the cap. tain to put me of at Santiago"
 The laughter rose fast and gall lant, directed against Barry. He shrugged with Q grin.
 "The ship is yours," he said, "Stay on 1t till doomsday If you like. should have had better sense than to advise a woman"
 The next morning the sky was limpid, with small puff clouds, and the sapphire water shot with sun- light.
 Allison was at breakfast. The shadow of illness was gone from her face. She was in white silk shorts and shirt, with brilliant sandals, and her yellow gold hair hanging to her shoulders. She was exquisite as the day, with . fire of michief in her violet eyes.
 T feel fine now" she boasted. "Yn the privacy of my cabin for the last 4O hours I've been sing ing the blues - mean about the war - my losing every centavo but Q chicle plantation -. and now the storm! It's all of my mind for good"
 The rubber men and the light- house keeper were enchanted and Q little afraid of her. To Barryis surprise she refused their
 "Just call me AL" she said. '"The deb is dead. I'm not even Queen of Chewing Cur Jungle - just 6 chickle laborer.'
 That's ridiculous" said Barry heatedly.
 She turned on him with mock ing light of combat. That in- clination to bossinesS is apt to get you into trouble, Mir. Fielding"
 'Touche," Barry grinned as he started for his cabin.
 She looked after him startled. Where are you going?"
 T have three books to digest before we get to Puerto BarrioS," he told her. His masculine pride was satisfied by her visible dis- appointment.
 He was not evading her. nor exaggerating the importance of