Evening Star Newspaper, February 28, 1932, Page 81

DN, D. C, FEBRUARY 28 1932 11 ousy and Love—BY BERTHA LEAH CROSS e \ \\\ A shadow emerged from behind them. “That Girl,” she whispered, clutching his arm. “She watches us all the time.” very lovely as she raised them to his. *“I can%t make up my mind so soon, Verne!” “All right, dear,” he answered soothingly. 'You take time to think it over. I know it’s oon. I'll wait. But you're going to love me, arling?” He pulled her up to him with sud- en passion, holding her closely. His sleek lack head suddenly bent, his lips sought and ound hers. Penelope felt as if the ship reeled th the force of that kiss. It left her weak nd breathless. “I'll never give you up, to any man! Oh, enny,” he said, forcing her to look up at him. I love you. Why, sweetest, you're like a hite flame—a snow maiden with a heart of and ice combined. Penny, you drive me had with longing for you. You get into my lood! Kiss me once more?” A shadow emerged from behind them. They prang apart. “That girl!” she whispered, clutching his m. ‘“Verne, you must do something about r. She waiches us all the time. She’s palous!” accusingly. “Oh, I wonder if you're ng to me?” “I swear I'm not!” A mocking laugh drifted k to them from the distance. “Let’'s go down,” Penelope said briefly. They entered the brightly lighted dance bom. Penelope led the way to a tete-a-tete air at the end of the long room. “8Sit down,” she said invitingly. “Let’s talk r a little while.” “About ourselves?” he asked eagerly. “No, about New York. Verne, what do you ink of the Sterling robbery? I was awfully terested in that affair, for I know the Ster- hgs very well. In fact, I was there the night the dinner party when the pearls were olen.” “That so? "T'was a daring robbery.” “Wasn't it? Just think, they, whoever did left a string of cheap beads in place of the barls. They didn’t miss them until a week r, you know. Mrs. Sterling wanted them wear to the Lovell wedding dinner party. just about floored her when she found those “Some shock! arls?” “Oh. ves! Who do you suppose did it, Tne?” ‘I have my own theory,” he said slowly. *“I ink that the theft was committed by the pid.” He broke off abruptly, looking at € one over Penelope’s shoulder. She turned r head. The girl in the flame-colored gown S passing, her face like a flame of fury. Penelope rose, picking up her scarf from a rby table. ‘I don't care to dance. I am going down. ‘eel nervous and upset . . " ater, when she was alone, she faced the owledge that this man was offering her a life with him. Sleepless, she faced a ure forever bereft of Bart. She knew that P down in her heart had always been the ef that sometime, somehow, they would up their quarrel. It had not really ed an irrevocable thing that had happened pite her hurt and disillusion. But now she faced the issue. Could she give They were priceless, the up her work, Bart, her home in New York? Could she dig up old roots and transplat her- self in a new life, with new ties, new friends, new love? Bart. A stab of pain in her heart as she thought of him. Had he failed her? Or was there some mistake—some accident—in his failure to see her off? HE days drifted by. Verne rushed Penelope every available minute, trying to get her promise to marry him. She finally consented to an engagement . . . not half sure that she would stay engaged after they had reached land. One night they were together on A deck. ‘The moon was greenish, with a light weird and frightening. Only the glass was between them and a towering, crashing sea. The elements were wild, a sudden storm gathering, a squall that had sprung up out of a clear sky. Heavy clouds massed,, shifted, lifted momentarily, only to settle down, black and threatening. Penelope was awed and a little frightened. 8he clung to Verne’s arm, shuddering when the huge waves dashed against the glass. Once she stified a ery and hid her face against his arm. “Penny, talk to me . . .” She aroused herself and smiled into his eyes. “All right, Verne. Tell me something about your home, where you are going to take me— when we are married?” “His face lighted up. His manner was caress- ing, all pique forgotten. “Oh, you'll Jove my villa. Penny, it has the most wonderful garden. There are ilex trees, and syringas, marble seats, and in the center & pool that reflects the stars. I can see you now strolling around the walks, resting by the pool, waiting for me to come and tell you how 1 love you, how I adore you.” “Shall we live part of the time in New York?” “No,” emphatically. “In fact—" He paused, biting back the words he was sbout to say. She looked at him with a long, appraising look. He smiled into her eyes. “I'm only living now for that day. . . .” 8he sudderly rose. “I'm tired. I think that I'll try to sleep.” “Wait.” He laid a detaining hand on her arm. “I have something for you—my first gift, darling, and one that we will consider a betrothal present until I can get you a ring.” He laid a rectangular package in her lap. “My first gift to you, sweetheart. And I have a strange request. I do not want you to open this until we are on land and until I can be with you when we open it.” Her eyes were dancing as she looked into his face. She picked up the package, looking at it curiously. “Why, how mysterious—and how lovely!” she exclaimed. “I want to open it now,” picking at the purple cord that tied it. “I can't wait.” “Please,” laying a restraining hand over the Inquisitive fingers. “You see, dear,” glancing around, “it is of great value. I got it at an antique shop for a ridiculously small price. It would be better not to open it until we are on land. Put it away in a safe place and then after we are together on land——" The sea was calming a little. The storm had blown itself out, the waters sullenly sink- ing down to their natural calm. Verne drew her into the shadows and into his arms. “Penny,” pleadingly, “when will it be?” “We must let things adjust themselves,” an- swering his mute question. “I cannot tell yet!™ P!:‘NEX.OPE could not sleep. She was trying to solve the problem that was facing her. ‘The fog horn made her nervous. Restless, she tossed for hours. Suddenly she was aware of a commotion just outside her door. A voice, two voices, in alter- cation. She rose and slipped into a negligee, and slid her feet into her mules. Her face was pale, her hands trembling. “It can't be! It just can't be! 1It's not possible,” she was saying over and over. But that voice! Opening her door a crack she looked out. Her eyes were wide with incredulity as she saw Bart, an arresting hand on Verne's arm. He was shouting angrily. “It’s a ie! You can’t prove anything on me.” “Oh, yes I can!” Bart coolly replied. “You’ve got them, you've got the pearls with you on this boat, either you or the girl.” “Bart!” Penelope threw open her door. “It is he! It’s the man you showed me the pic- ture of, the suspect you tried to tell me about. I've known it for several days . . .” Verne cast a glance at her, a look of mingled sorrow, anger, shame and chagrin. The other girl came running down the cor- ridor, her face perturbed and anxious. She was scantily dressed in a rose-colored negligee, her eyes wild. “So, Toni!” she sneered. “They were too smart for you! He's the thief!” triumphantly. “He stole the pearls . . .” “And you helped him!” Bart interrupted. “Captain,” to the officer who had joined the crowd that had gathered, “will you see to the woman? I'm going to make Braganti find the pearls. These two have got away with several daring robberies in the past two years, the last one being the Sterling robbery. I found a clue and followed them. I was going to wait until we were ready to land before nabbing them, but I met him snooping around in the corridor and he recognized me.” “You neednt hunt,” the girl said. *“Your dame has them. He gave them to her for a betrothal present. He double-crossed me.” A look of hatred passed between them. For the first time Bart loocked at Penelope. “Has he given you anything, Penny?” His voice was quiet. “Why—why, yes,” she stammered. “He gave me a—a present.” “Get it!” She slipped back into her room and took from the secret pocket of her steamer trunk her ring and slipped it on her finger. Then the package. “Here it is!” handing 3t $o Bart. “I—I was tempted to open it.” He gave her a crooked smile. “Told you not to, I suppose?” She nodded. “Open it, Penny!” A sudden pressure on the man’s arm. The prisoner was squirming, trying to break away. Tearing off the wrappings with hands that were trembling with eagerness, she disclosed a common pasteboard box. Opening it, she held up a string of exquisitely matched pearls, their milky loveliness slithering through her fingers, coiling in a lustrous heap in her palm. A clasp formed of diamonds formed the initials, B. E. S, “Bertha Evelyn Sterling,” she whispered. “Proof enough, Mr. Meade,” the captain said briskly. “You surely have done a clever bit of work.” To Penelope, he said: “How long have you know him, young lady?” “For several days. I recognized him very suddenly one day by a photograph Bart—Mr. Meade—showed me—a suspect——" The other girl sneered. -“They've put on a hot sketch of love making, all right, if 'twas only phoney. I know they've had me all hot and bothered. Toni was my man! He double-crossed me. I know that 1§ was real with him.” Penelope flushed, avoiding Bart’s keen gaze. He grinned at the captain. “Miss Allen was only stringing him aleng. She has helped me before on cases like this™ He produced two pairs of bracelets. Omne pain he snapped on the man’s wrist; the others om the slim ones of the girl. She smiled enticingly into his eyes, with impudent bravado: “You’re not too bad looking a guy yoursel!™ she bantered. “I always liked gray eyes . . . He ignored her pleasantry, turning to the captain: “Take care of her, will you, Capt. Wilkins? Penny, I'll be right back. Put on a warm dress and your coat. We’ll go up on deck and watch for the dawn!” His eyes were full of quiet joy and happiness as he saw the dejected littie figure leaning against the lintel. Bending loy, he whispered: “I've got a new technique of love making I've learned that I want to try out.” She thrilled at the look in his eyes. Ner own were full of mute entreaty as she raised them to his, the tears suddenly brimming, glinting on her long lashes. 2 “I'll be ready, Bart! . . . See, dawn’s eom-~ ing now!” (Copyright, 1932.) Perils of Nicaraguan Canal Survey Continued from Ninth Page that of the proposed Nicaragua canal is ever undertaken will depend ultimately upon Cong- ress, and it is conceivable that the outcome will be influenced by politics. But in any event the cost of construction and maintenance will be considered in the light of benefits to be derived. A canal across Nicaragua will aid our nation- al defense, foster friendly relations with Latin America and promote trade with that entire re- gion. A study of Panama Canal records shows that about two-thirds of the traffic passing through the American Isthmus would be mate- rially expedited if routed through the proposed Nicaragua canal. Of outstanding importance to United States shipping is the saving of time for vessels engaged in intercoastal trade. A vessel with a speed of 10 knots would save one and one-fourth days on every trip between San Prancisco and New Orleans. HE following trade routes would use a Nicaragua canal with a saving of time: North American intercoastal; Europe and the West Coast of North America; West Coast of the United States and the East Coast of South America; East Coast of the United States and the Far East; West Indies and the Pacific Coast of North America. Furthermore, a Nicarauga canal would solve the shipping problem when the Panama Canal reaches its physical limit of usefulness. Traffic through that waterway has reached the amaz- ing figure of 30,000,000 tons annually, an amount variously estimated at from three- fourths to three-fifths of its present practical operating capacity. The Panama Canal, perhaps the greatest engineering feat of the modern world, stands as a moument to the genius of its designers and builders. It has exerted enormous influence on the development of commerce and industry in the United States, particularly on the East, West and Gulf Coasts. Prior to its construction it was difficult, if not impossible, to predict what its effect would be. But 10 years after it was in operation the commercial tonnage pass- ing through it was twice the figure originally advanced by its most ardent proponents. Experience has shown that improved trans- portation facilities invariably have stimulated industries and increased prosperity in the areas served. It is safe to say that a Nicaragua canal would offer many economic advantages, but no one can predict accurately what impetus it would give to commerce and industry. Only the future will tell. Any serious damage to the Panemsa Canal not only would interfere with commerce, but in time of war might prevent concentration of our naval forces, wiich depend for success upon the principle of mass employment as well as easy maneuverability. Nicaragua, therefore, would provide an additional safeguard. With two canals the danger of complete stoppage of water-borne traffic by reason of sabotage, sc- cidents or slides would be minimized, ae the probability of simultaneous blocking would be extremely remote. Offhand it might seem unwise to consider the construction of a canal in an area subject to seismic disturbances. Records show that earth tremors of greater or less intensity have occurred in that vicinity over a period of stw- eral hundred years. And there was the recent earthquake which partially destroyed the City of Managua. It began at 10:19 on the moming of March 31, 1931, and the major shock lasted for two minutes. The property damage was estimated at $15,000,000 and there was a Joss of a thousand lives. Loss of life and destruction of property, how- ever, was found to have been caused by fire and the poor type of building construction. The well constructed steel and concrete build- ings suffered no non-reparable damage. At Granada, which is 32 miles distant, the shock was barely felt. With proper materials and American methods of construction, experts are convinced that even if the canal were in the earthquake zone, a lock to suffer damage would have to cross the fault line, a possibility which is regarded as extremely remote. It was con- cluded, therefore, that the possibility of earth- quake damage was not a factor to influence the canal project. The Nicaragua Canal Survey, after complet- ing its laborious task, concluded that a lock canal across Nicaragua is feasible; that it presents no problems of design, construction or maintenance which are not capable of ready solution by a Nation which built the Panama Canal. The cost of construction was estimated at $722,000,600 and an additional $10,800,000 would be required for annual operation and maintenance. Construction work would extend over a period of 10 years. The United States in 1916, with an eye to eventualities, concluded the so-called - Chamorro treaty with Nicaragua, which - vided that in return for $3,000,000, the United States should have the exclusive right to build a canal in Nicaregua. It is estimated that a period of from two to five years would be re- quired for the negotiation of further necessary treaties and for the passing of legislation which must precede the start of actual construetion. The project, therefore, should be initiated ap- proximately 15 years before the canal is de- sired for use. White Elephant of Le;su;'e Continued from Pifth Page treating the two as an inseparable unity, and that is precisely the kind of education that trains him for his work. What we want is the education of the whole man, emphasizing the word ‘whole,’ the education which liberates the forces of his personality for invention, creation and courageous resistance to his difficulties and dangers. “I sometimes call this the co-education of the mind and body. A person who has been educated on those lines will have resources of his own and be able to fill his leisure time with enjoyable activities. He will be the author and creator of his own pleasures and will not need some one to be always standing at his elbow to tell him what he is to do next. He - will find that out for himself. And he will enjoy his leisure a hundred times as much as he would if he depended on external excite- ments and had to buy all his pleasures on the market. “From the point of view of mere entertain- ment, three-fourths of the present leisure occu- pations seem to be mighty poor stuff. Leisure should be made vastly more enjoyable than it is. If people were trained on creative lines and habituated to creating their own pleasure instead of depending on others to make them happy, they would be far better off. Nobody can bring another person happiness. Unless we m:2ke ourselves happy, we shall never be happy at all. But merely talking to people along this line ‘cuts very little ice.’” THI American slang sounded strange iIn the mouth of the Oxford philosopher, wheo is not given to slang but who, obviously, wsed it this time to point what he was about to say. Perhaps, too, he employed it because he felt slightly exasperated at the sudden realisa- tion of the futility of offering advice, regardiess of how valuable it might be, to adults. “It cuts very little ice,” repeated Dr. “because nobody ever changed his life some one else told him he ought to. want to change the leisure habits of and they are sorely in need of a the better, you must change them young, before their habits are formed. You must indicating. You must get these princip the elementary schools and into the homes the people, and you must carry through the high schools and into versities. “So it all comas back to a question of reform ing our whole 4ystem of public education on creative lines. There is no other way of edu cating people either for adversity or for 4 perity, either for work or for leisure, or life In general. All the arts, crafts, hobbles— in short, the creative element—must be brought into the matter.” (Uepyright, 1932.) .