Free Cold April by Phyllis A. Humphrey Page A

Beth.”
    “ She isn’t my daughter.”
    “ You look too grand to be a servant.”
    “ Thank you, but I’m her governess, and I shall be forever grateful that you were taking such good care of her.”
    “ Wandered away from you, did she?”
    “ From her father, who is, even now, searching for her elsewhere with the purser.”
    “ Then we’d best go up top and tell them the good news, shall we?” He led the way to the open doors and, after Kathleen ran back to rescue Toby from the bench, they passed into the corridor.
    “ How did you come to find her?” Beth asked.
    “ She found us. She was apparently riding on the lift ...”
    Kathleen interrupted him. “In America, it’s an ela-bator.”
    He grinned down at her. “Yes, luv, it is indeed, and we’re all going to America, aren’t we?”
    “ I’m going to live there for five-teen years.” She held up the fingers of her free hand.
    He laughed and tousled her hair.
    Beth asked again, “But how ...?”
    “ As near as I can tell,” Palmer said, “when the doors opened on C Deck, Kathleen saw a group of children and simply joined them. They all trooped into the public room to see my act, but I knew right away she didn’t belong down there. So, I told her she needed to have a special place until her mum could come for her.”
    Beth felt a sharp intake of breath. “What did she say to that?”
    “ That her mum is in heaven but she would wait for Miss Beth.”
    “ And you kept her from running off again. I am most grateful.”
    “ It was nothing. I see many children when I perform and sometimes I feel like a father to all of them.”
    “ I hope your escorting us back doesn’t ... I mean ... when I saw you earlier today, you put your hat on the floor and people threw coins into it.”
    “ That was in second class. Some of the folks there expect to pay to be entertained, but I don’t pass the hat in steerage.”
    “ Have you always been a magician?”
    “ No. I started as an acrobat, traveled around Europe with a troupe. Speak a bit of French, I do, but I learned some magic tricks and that made it possible for me to get bookings on my own.”
    “ And do you have a booking in America?”
    “ Not yet, but I don’t think it’ll be hard to get one. New York is the center of that sort of entertainment, and I have a little money put by.” He rattled the coins in his pocket. “In case it doesn’t happen right away.”
    They reached the stairway and bank of elevators and Harry pressed the call button. “And I’m more than glad I did. I’ve had an opportunity to meet the charming Miss Beth.” His smile broadened.
    Although he made no effort to stand especially close to her inside the lift, Beth felt awkward. She looked up at the ceiling of the little car and said nothing.
    “ Here we are,” Harry said when they stepped off. “Now you shall have to guide us the rest of the way, as I don’t know your stateroom number.”
    She led the way, but Kathleen, obviously recognizing the familiar surroundings, left her side and ran ahead. “Pa-pa!” she screamed.
    As she turned the corner, Beth saw Richard and another man in the passage, and she slowed her steps.
    After Richard picked up his daughter, hugged her and planted dozens of kisses on her cheeks, he set her on her feet again and introduced Beth to the purser, a Mr. Danton.
    She, in turn, introduced them to Harry Palmer. “Mr. Palmer is a magician and Kathleen was with some other children watching him perform.”
    After the introduction, Mr. Danton said, “I am so glad this has had a happy ending,” touched his hat and departed.
    “ How do you do?” Richard said to Palmer.
    The young man took the outstretched hand. “I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Graham.”
    Richard turned to Beth. “But how ... when ...?”
    “ I’ll explain it all to you later. I’m sure Mr. Palmer wishes to return to his own stateroom. It’s almost time for dinner.”
    “ I’m happy to have been of service. I wish