Argosy All-Story Weekly, April 18, 1925 — page 94: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

244 “Thank you so much, captain. But isn’t there something you can do to show the passengers it was all a mistake? I’m sure they are saying dreadful things about him.” “You can wager on that. During a voy- age, where nothing ever happens, these old women will swell any yarn until it has changed its shape. They are probably say- ing he tried to murder you, by this time.” “It’s terrible,” she wailed. “Tell you what Ill do,” said the skip- per. “TIl give a party in my cabin to about a dozen people and invite him. That will prove that he’s vindicated. Will you attend the party?” She hesitated. Suppose he resented her presence? Suppose he snubbed her open- ly? Well, it would be her punishment. She nodded. “We have got to set him right.” “ Good girl. The party will be to-mor- row night.” Feeling very much relieved, Gertrude sought her mother and they went out on deck where preparations for the dance were under way. Many colored lights had been screwed «into the covering of the shelter deck. Flags were skillfully and tastefully draped around to give the effect of a ballroom. Stewards were waxing the planking and the ship’s orchestra was tuning up dolefully at a far corner. The passengers were grouped around the sides of the improvised ballroom. Com- paratively few acquaintances had been made as yet. The women eyed one another suspiciously and scrutinized the evening costumes which were appearing. The most conspicuous person present was Mrs. Potter-Dunlap who had her plump fig- ure arrayed in a very low cut gown and who had covered her chest with jewels till she looked as though she were suffering from an eruption. The Potter-Dunlap jew- els were famous, and there were several pairs of eyes on board who regarded them covetously. Still, they were very unbe- coming. Young girls, heavily chaperoned, perched on the arms of deck chairs and tapped their feet impatiently. Several attractive women ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, of more mature age were talking and laugh- ing gayly to men. They were seasoned travelers who knew how to make early ac- quaintances. “That blond woman over there,’ said Mrs. Thomas to Gertrude, “ I’m sure she’s thirty if she’s a day and I saw her kissing her husband good-by when the ship sailed. She is alone on board and yet she seems on very good terms with those two men.”’ ‘“‘ She probably didn’t report them to the captain for speaking to her,” said Gertrude bitterly. “Please, darling, forget that unfortunate affair. The captain told you he would ar- range it.” “He has. He’s giving a very exclusive party in his cabin for Mr. McGarry to- morrow night and we are going.” “We are not going,” declared Mrs. Thomas. ‘“ The very idea.” ‘We are going, both of us. We are re- sponsible for the disgrace that came upon him and we are going to show ourselves, to make up for it.” “But my dear child, the man is only a secretary or something.” “Mother, there are times when I won- der at father’s patience all these years! What has the young man’s social position got to do with the matter?” “IT didn’t intend to meet anybody on this voyage,” she retorted feebly. ‘ What a terrible thing for a daughter to say to a mother!” There came a blat and a blah from ‘the orchestra and a fox trot began. One of the saddest things in the world is the or- chestra of an English ship endeavoring to play American jazz. They play the notes more or less accurately, but they complete- ly lose the spirit of the music, and their syncopation is something to be deplored. However, the charm of a dance on board ship caused the passengers to forgive them and the party was on. For several minutes no one had courage to be first on the floor. Then Howard Campbell, resplendent in his Tuxedo, led out Miss Potter-Dunlap, and the ball was open. Three or four couples followed timidly. A fringe of dancing men hung around the outskirts. A half hun- dred girls hoped for partners. Introduc- Gomichooks (E@)