The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

body against him, On the boat deck the quarter- master on watch peered forward in the darkness, his broad face soaked in mist. They were listing again, not overmuch, but enough for a seaman to feel her. Back To Port BY ETHEL WILLIS HEWITT Joe Sterling walked over to the full-length mirror and surveyed his reflection carefully. Six-foot, well built, strikingly dark and not quite 35. He felt good -- warmed by the slow flush of vanity. It was not the fact that he was an extremely interesting type that pleased him, made him take a certain pride in his well-being, but had he had ordered his life well. It was a sharp and clear cut as the line of his dinner clo- thes. He looked cecidedly, he reflec- ted, the kind of man he was. Men liked him--trusted him, and wom- en --well, he shrugged slightly. They were mot to be taken seri- ously, not for a moment! bed, his head circled in his arms, The story thus far: Elsa Swan, penniless and jobless, has left New York for France to meet Cris Valentine. She thought Cris had offered to marry her, but on shipboard she meets Joe Sterling, a friend of Cris and a profeisional gambler, who tells her Cris never intended marriage. Nick Hudson, young Texan on his way to Paris to study art, has fallen in love with Elsa, and she returns his af- fection. But Nick overheard some of the conversation about Cris-- enough to suspect Elsa, but not enough to convince himself that she was ignorant of Cris' real in- tentions. By night it was raining, a hardly perceptible mist. His pa- tience worn with the effort to take life casually, he left the boat deck where he had been walking for an hour. There were few people abroad. Under the sheltered security of the promen- ade deck he came upon Elsa, breathless and soaked with mist from a tramp forward. He glared at her fiercely, not speaking. He hadn't seen her since last night on the boat deck. He wan- ted to pass her, but he couldn't her eyes, her mouth--uwithout a word he took her in his arms. Her lips lay against his young and untainted; the mist damp- ened the softness of her cheeks. In the dimness of the rain-dren- ched night she seemed to him all new and immaculate. «Have you been sick," she as- ked softly, "I haven't seen you all day." aSick for you," he said in a broken mutter. "Nick." Youth flowed between them, bearing them up into a delicate ecstasy that transcended passion. They clung together, his hard young mouth against hers. "Nick." It was a little plain- tive ery. With a mutter of tenderness he held her closer. She fitted so completely into his arms, con- tent, satisfied, relaxed. In a sudden sweep, reason rus- hed in, He drew himself away covering his face with his hands. He looked at her silently, hag- gard and worn. "Nick." It was the merest bro- ken whisper, questioning, plead- CHAPTER V. Nick sauntered aimlessly thro- ugh the smoking room and into the restaurant. The ship boasted the most lavish restaurant on the Atlantic, It was three decks high; walls in pastel shades of marble from the Pyrenees, light filter- ing through huge ovals of pale yellow glass; pointings . « «+ Nick had intended to study them, especially the murals, when Hisa came along, Elsa--even the thought of her hurt like a mortal wound. Halfway through the res- taurant he turned sharply and went to his cabin, What did he care for murals! Closing the door, he stood leaning against it, look- ing around. Sketches of Bisa were propped in every available space; Elsa in bathng costume; Elsa on deck, tramping, windblown, vitally alive -- even on paper. Blsa pensive, smiling faintly, a faraway look in her lovely eyes. For a moment Nick stood con- sumed by a burning ache, then with @ wild, fierce gesture, he swept the lot of them on the floor; only to pick them up and lay them gently on the foot of the bed. He sat down and pored over an unfinished sketch on the table. Elsa's face. Her lips parted, her eyes wide, and in their depths, something maddening sweet, that seemed to move restlessly, until it folded him in. He could feel her soft mouth curve to fit his-- In a sudden, racking agony, he threw himself face down on the A woman limited a man's cap- acity for enjoying life' to the full, Take, for instance, if he were in love with Elsa, as Nick was. Would he find the same thrill of pleasure in the fact that he could afford one of the most expensive suites aboard the luxurious Alti- vania? Would he be able to relax in her spacious comfort, yielding himself utterly to the feeling of contentment and well-being as he did now? His toilet complete, he strolled out into the corridor. At the lift he met Nick, looking wretched. "Not ill, are you?" he inquired pleasantly. R "Only. enough to wish we were landing tonight," Nick answered dryly. Sterling wondered about him, They went out on deck together, going nowhere in particular. Lean- ing against the rail, he lit a cig- arette. «How old are you, Nick?" he asked abruptly, looking at him through narrowed lids. Nick met his gaze, "Twenty-three -- why?" flushed, resenting the question. Sterling smiled. "Not very old," he said in a droll voice. Nick looked down the side of the ship. The water, choppy, Was showing a white streak at the horizon. "Qld enough," he muttered, Again Sterling smiled and look- ed at his cigarette thoughtfully. He was glad his plan of life didn't leave room for what he saw in Nick's young eyes. "You're keen on Miss Swan," he remarked casually. Nick looked at him, a flash of anger in his blue eyes, "Youre wrong. Miss Swan means nothing to me--absolutely nothing." Sterling was silent, blowing a ring of smoke out on the air and watching it vanish. "Funny--I thought--" "Yowve no business to think anything, It's not your affair, he almost shouted. "No--it isn't anybody's affair, to be exact" Sterling bore hard on "affair." "No?" Nick turned impatient eyes on him. "No," Sterling repeated, meet- ing his gaze squarely, Sterling mused. "You've never been in love before," he said simply. Nick flew into @ rage. "I think you're getting darn personal, if you ask me," he said hotly. g. He shook his head, pressing back against the side of the ship, «Pm sorry. It didn't mean any- thing. I shouldn't have done it, It was like seeing paradise by the flash of a sword that bars the gate," he laughted bitterly. "Nick, don't--!" she held out her arms, but he brushed her as- ide and went to his cabin. For hours he lay staring at the ceiling, seeing Elsa clearly, feel- ing the freshness of her mouth and the soft fragrance of her he SAVE THAT HEAT With Fuel-Oil prices on the upward trend, the mat- ter of conserving heat is doubly important. This can be done by insulating with -- "FLEECE LINE" ROCK WOOL INSULATION Paper Packed Batts "For Comfort's Sake . . . Insulate" 8. W. Savage Sheet Metal Works Phone 1014 Cross Ave. at Dundas St. OAKVILLE ELECTRIC WELDING No Job TOO Large-- No Job Too Small We repair anything anywhere --any time J. P. KOLLEE Palerm: Ph. Bronte 25r21 PRESCRIPTIONS When your doctor prescribes a certain medicine for you or your family--let us fill it exactly to his prescription. Qualified pharmacists are always in attendance and only the best drugs obtainable are used. DRUGS -- TOILETRIES -- SUNDRIES The Oakville Drug Co., Limited Colborne St. E. (Len. Hope, Mgr.) D R U G S Phone 94 THE OAKVILLE-TRAFALGAR JOURNAL spiritual leader's side when he died ee telling you, You overheard a con- versation between Miss Swan and myself that was entirely mislead- ing. If yowd heard all you would understand." to you?" Nick demanded hotly. There was a tolerant look in Ster- ling's eyes that angered him. can tell me--or you either--that I don't already know. If she tried to tell you anything it's evident you wouldn't listen." sagging dejectedly 7 Thursday, February 12th, 194g | tee She's used his money. It's tp, principle of the thing.' Nick saiq in a stubborn fone. "Principle be hanged! (rj wouldn't have her off the Christ. mas tree when ie knows she lovey you. She can pay back tne money, if she's disposed to. I te) you I know CFis. Why he's ag square as--" Nick interrupted him, «It's no use. This thing has_ has . . ." he floundered for words "Ave you quite sure you arent kidding yourself, Nick? Lag night, under cover of the pro. menade deck, I caught a glimpse of you with Elsa in your arms put in roughly. "That's a lie" "very well--it is, 80 on." «As TI said, Miss Swan is noth- ing to Cris. She thought he in- tended to marry ner; well, he didn't" Nick's gaze held his. "What do you know about her?" he deman- ded. Sterling shrugged. "About her--nothing. About my friend Cris, everything. 1 know that Miss Swan is all that she should be--or he wouldn't have her. Cris is the soul of pre- cision. He's paying her way across--" «You mean to say she's--she's spending his money now?" Nick was furious, Sterling looked at him fully. «My dear FEAR FOR NEHRU me that it--had" softly. He laugheq 'A high official in New Delhi an thought nounced over the week-end . tha ere moving to crash a plot Pandit boy, of course|nis hands deep into his pockets, Pe: rime Mite Ee | Troupers out of & job don't travel Jawaboriy dar Vallabhal Batel and |on the Altivania," he answered| "Don't be a fool, Nick. If your tion Minister Maulana. Abul | lightly. hence lous t pron alin Azad ee Nick didn't speak. all.absorbing love -- hang on, pan endence, was at the "Cris is also the soul of kind- | There are men to whom it doesnt come the second time. be a pity--" ness and consideration. Her life with nim would not be hard, except for certain types who are sensitive to public opinion. Cris | the water, giving no sign that he is not a marrying man--" was listening. «I don't care what Cris is like," Sterling laid his hand on his Nick thundered. "I don't know | arm. why I let you go on," he added "Oh, well, it's your funeral" he sullenly. said cheerily. Sterling leaned a bit nearer. Nick turned. "No? Well, it's because youd| "I've been listening. Some day give the world to know that|when Im in a different mood | she's the decent sort" he said | may feel grateful to you, evenly, now--" He held out his hand. "And I suppose I can take| Sterling took it in his, your word for it" Nick sneered. | «No matter, old man. I gues "That's ome way. If you were|T've gone a bit sentimental over older--knew more about women (you two." He stopped. After all It would Sterling smiled. "But Tm not asking you--I'm "Has Miss Swan been talking "There's nothing Miss Swan Tm more. experienced than yo, [8 are, and it certainly didn't strike [| Silent, Nick flushed and shoved Sterling looked at him squarely, | Just / Nick gazed moodily out over | Nick was silent, his tall figure| --" against the "Who says I don't know about | love? Nick was drinking ton rail. Sterling's manner was dis- women?" Nick's eyes were blaz- deeply of the cup that robs on arming. ing. of the first flush of youth. Some. "You want to know what Miss| Sterling Jeaned back on his|how, the pity of it spoiled af Swan is to Cris, Nothing, I can| elbow. perfect evening for Sterling. tell you that. She probably had a "Nick, in my profession we Copyright, The Chicago Daily tough. break and took the only|turn people inside out" he News, Inc. | way out. She was in vaudeville laughed softly, "You see you Next week: Nick and Elsa have and--well, you know what that's|are young. Youre letting|a temporary understanding; buf come to, Or maybe you don't." He looked at Nick steadily. "Or maybe I don't care," Nick jealousy blind you to Listen £o your heart, youngster." | something that will always key) "What about this--this Cris?! them apart. ot «...our Company at the present time: is in the strongest position in its history." --President E. G. BAKER 101st ANNUAL MEETING 1947 was a great year for Canada Life policyholders. Our field representatives arranged more new protection for people in all walks of life than in any previous year. _ Living policyholders received an average of about $60,000 every working day. Here are some additional highlights of the year's operations: Insurance in Force (excluding Annuities) $1,096,87.7,362 New Insurance (excluding Annuities) 119,322,359 Gain in Insurance in Force - 94,746,608 Total Assets - - - 367,448,771 3 Gain in Assets - - - 17,700,193 Paid to policyholders and | beneficiaries - - - 24,552,867 Interest earned - - - 3.81% A summary of the 1947 results will be mailed to all policybolders THE : CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY A MODERN COMPANY -- OVER A CENTURY oLb W.H. Reeves - D.M.C. Shaw : ¥ what advice had he to offer about facts. | the girl realizes that there is. Thurs SIT