The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1921-12-04

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ening, because he thinks the sun
rises Just for him."
Astarte was delighted. Hands
touched her. voices questioned her.
She answered the questions in their
order.
II am called Astarts. / dance. ]
am nfteen."
Come and sit down with mel
think you're darling" said the
girl who was called Iris, slipping
her arm. about Astarte's waist.
She was a pure Greek. middle
sized. transcendently feminine like
yielding Leda. Her oval face
was framed in fluffy hair like gold
en- floss silk. her turquoise eyes
had a sleepy look that yelled Ger
tain mineral opacity. They seemed
the eyes OF a child. but they were
the eyes Of q snake.
She drew Astarte down beside
her on the spread carpet, and the
rest grouped round, lounging or
squatting. in a half-circle.
There was Helen. another Greek.
very statuesque. There was Hatsu,
narrow-loined Egyptian; and
semla, a Syrian girl. plump as a
pigeon, who seemed half asleep;
and Amytis, a thirteen-year-oad
Persian as white as milk, with hair
as black as the goats of Gilead.
Astarte's white clinging shroud
was unwound from her by deft
hands. She sat upright on the car,
pet clad In a narrow garment Of
fine, semi-transparent linen that
left her arms bare and was kept In
place by two strings of nat. green
ish-blue Egyptian beads that passed
over her nude shoulders.
Now tell us about yourself.
We're all as dull as bats this morn.
ing and dying for some news.
Aren't we, girls?"
''Oh, gods-yes! want to hear
someone talk" said the fawless
Helen, throwing wide her arms.
Astarte was the centre of In.
terest. She felt already as though
she had known these girls for .
year.
81 don't know what to tell you
really don't. have seen nothing.
They kept me shut up as though I
were bird In a cage.
There was Bel-Namri-he sells
gazelles and peacocks and hunting
dogs and leopards. I suppose he
must have bought me when / was
very small. He is old, and dyes his
beard with henna. didn't like
him.
And there was Deterioration
I hated. She used to beat me and
call me bad names. She taught
me to dance, for she herself has
been "a stomach dancer and a pos
turer, though now she 10 too fat
Il saw only those two-and Dido.
/ loved Dido. She is a negress,
and very old. but she used to call
me her Honey-fiower, and hide me
from Dekerto, and steals almonds
and grapes for me-"
Her voice paused. She blinked
her eyes, for they were wet.
II am so glad I was sold this
morning and have come here. This
is a very beautiful place"
"Oh, listen to her! Isn't she a
darling?" cried the fair and fluffy
Iris. She flung her arms about
Astarte. Then you've never been
in love? Has no man ever kissed
your"
Astarte shook her head.
On, you UNBORN pdDe. sou III
tie pigeon! You're as wonderful as
a miracle"
Astarte twisted little round to
see the fair laughing face and the
turquoise eyes.
Have you been in lover" she
said.
She was very interested, and 1t
was delightful to have the smooth
arms of girl about her.
Iris did not answer-she threw
back her golden head and laughed
as uncontrollably as though she
were being tickled with a feather.
"You are delicious" she gurgled
when she had done laughing.
Now ask Helen whether she's In
love. She's crazy about one of the
Nubians who carry old Importance's
litter. She can't sleep for thinking
of him."
"Faugh! He's black" said
Semia, the plump Syrian girl. Il
couldn't desire man who looked
like ebony"
That's Just tits the novelty OF
him, dear. I'm sick OF white