Had he presumed in the slightest, she would
have chilled him instantly; but, as it was, she seemed to feel the
innate courtesy back of his boldness, seeing in him only a big,
unaffected boy who needed an outlet for his feelings. In the same
way, had a fine St. Bernard dog thrust a friendly head beneath her
hand she would have petted it.
When at last she rose, after an hour that had swiftly sped, she
was gratified at the look of concern that came into his eyes. She
looked at him with genuine approval as he bowed and said:
"Thank you for the pointers about Panama. I hope I may have the
pleasure of talking to you again."
When she had disappeared he murmured, admiringly:
"Jove! She's a corker! And she's not so old, after all. I wonder
who she--" He leaned over and read the card on the back of her
steamer chair. "Mrs. Stephen Cortlandt, Suite B," it was lettered.
Straightening up, he grumbled with genuine disappointment: "Just
my blamed luck! She's MARRIED."
V
A REMEDY IS PROPOSED
By pledging his one article of jewelry Kirk became possessed that
afternoon of several shirts, collars, and handkerchiefs--likewise
a razor, over which he exercised a sort of leasehold privilege.
The purser made it plain, however, that he had not sold these
articles, but merely loaned them, holding the ring as security for
their return, and this arrangement allowed Kirk no spare cash
whatever.
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