The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-11

She had been accustomed TO the
sight of It since she was FIVE years
old, and 1t woke neither interest,
sex-consciousness nor active repul-
sion in her. She was entirely igno-
rant OF modesty, and therefore OF
immodesty.
Semla gave a final stamp; she
bowed herself before the guests,
touching her forehead with the tips
of her fingers. Then crossed over
to the carpet, walking easily and
with the undulating movement of
a heifer.
Pin-points of moisture showed on
her smooth forehead, and her lips
were apart In the laughing smile OF
one who has done well and is short
of breath. E.
Then it was that Astarte turned
her head. looking toward the outer
darkness beyond the columns. She
did not know what had caused her
to turn 1t; she simply looked aside
and her eyes encountered eyes
that were steady as those OF an
archer who draws his bow against
a lion.
Pipes trilled and twittered, and
the notes seemed tremulous as a
liquid-golden thread. Of reflected
lamp-light upon lake.
ats you now. DEAR" said the
soft, cool voice of Iris. Don't be
nervous. The rings wonderfully
lucky"
Astarte understood that her turn
had come. She rose up.
The young man OF the market
was here-watching her, and the
eyes of Valerius also were upon
her. Her heart. which had quieted
somewhat since she entered the
hall of the feast, Quickened again.
She must dance well. Oh, won.
\ derfully well! Better than she had
ever danced for Dekerto.
Now she was out on the bare
marble, which was polished SO
that It resembled running water.
She raised her hands, palm-out-
ward, to her forehead, saluting the
guests, but she saw only Valerius.
He was reclining. leaning on his
elbow; steadily intent upon her.
She was particularly aware OF his
jaw, square as conqueror's. In
all it's contours his handsome head
was aggressive,
The tambourines were shaken as
they had been for Semla-a breath
less musical jingle. Astarte began
the Dance Of the Bee.
The dance dealt with maiden
distracted by the presence of bee
beneath her garment. The nude
and tapering arms of the dancer
and her gesturing hands expressed
sudden pain, alarm, and then a
species of nervous frenzy.
The tambourines ratified louder
and faster. Like one demented,
with drawn brows and darling
hands, she freed herself from the
first of the clinging transparencies
that swathed her.
The second followed, and the
third. She stood with extended
arms, seeming to wait, GREATNESS,
with parted lips.
From the shadow Of the garland
ed vermilion column David watched
her.
Iris, the blond Greek posturer,
watched her also. Upon the fore
finger of Astarte's right hand sat
the golden scarabaeus Of the
death-ring.
The long moment of expectancy
ended. The dancer WINGED as
though under the sting of the still
concealed bee. With a movement
swift as thought she rent off the
last veil, pretending to snare the
bee in fold of it, and crush 1t be-
tween her palms.
The maddening rattle of the tam
bourines ceased as abruptly as 1t
had begun. The pipes uttered a
long, tremulous, liquid note.
David still regarded her un.
swervingly. Stars, moons, lilies
nothing in all creation was as beau
tiful as this girl She was foun-
tain of waters for the ideal thirst
OF the spirit. and his spirit was
thirsty-as a man lost in the will
derness.
He hated the assembled guests,
the slaves and servitors. IL 1t had
been in his power to do so, he
would have smitten them with
blindness. The frank innocence OF
the dancer shone like a lamp EN-
bossed with naked cupids, but the
eyes that watched her were unfor-
givable-a rank offense.
He burned and stiffened as he
stood, drawing breath through d.
lated nostrils, and the hand that
hung at his side contracted. He
was divided between worship that
glowed, thirsted, and was ashamed,
and furious resentment.
AS the Grecian pipes quavered
LOUDLY Astarte was conscious OF
such triumphant happiness that she
could have laughed right out. She
had done well-she was about to
dosbetter.