New Britain herald., 1928-12-22
THIS HAS HAPPENED

ASutOFetn ASne. boston 8teuOkEde
pher. Is taking q cruise to the West
Indies.
Her roommate, Mona de Mussett.
is a rather incredible creature. about
whom everybody on shipboard Is
onjecturins. She dresses extrava-
santly and in exceedingly daring
fashion. Ashtoreth feels certain that
she must choose, for companion
ship. between Mademoiselle de Mus
set and the more respectable wo-
men aboard. But Mademolselle at
'aches herself to the little stenogra-
pher. who hardly knows what to do.
Ashtoreth is very beautiful her.
self, and. though she looks ex-
tremely sophisticated. is actually
rather naive and conventional.
She Is travelling alone, because there
vas not enough money for her
mother to take the trip too. Her
mother-Maizie-a woman with a
heart Of gold, has made sufficient
sacrifices to send Ashtoreth. who
has been i'll.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XIV
Tho perfumed atmosphere of
Mademoiselle de Musset filled the
room. The washstand was crowded
with her cosmetics. Powders and
paints and pencils. Puffs and brush
e. and creamA Green lotions In
square bottles. And bath salts In
crystal jars.
The floor was Uttered with
shoes. Brocaded mules, ad
feathered mules. And little
French pumps. with stubby toes
and very high heels. There were
clothes on the couch and 'he
berths. And . name-colored negli-
gee. trailing flamingo feathers.
dropped across an open hat box.
Lingerie was scattered all about.
sheer as cobwebs. and deliciously
fragrant.
Ashtoreth surveyed the lovely
confusion helplessly.
There we're long strings Of
beads hanging over the mirror.
AUG poAl AOAc "d0 oPChs oV eAot
the wind from the ocean lifted
them gustily. and they clicked
against the glass.
Ashtoreth closed the door. and
stood with her back against It.
Her own clothes were hung on
hangers In the little wardrobe.
Her few toilet articles ranged
neatly, side by side. Her shoes,
with their painted trees. stood in
pairs. staunchly. against the wall.
Ashtoreth was naturally orderly
and methodical. And now her
berth was piled with finery that
she hardly dared to touch.
While she contemplated the
dazzling disorder. there was a dis
Greet knock on the door. A stew
ardess. come to put things away.
II am sorry" she apologized,
that I could not get down sooner.
There are some ladies on my deck
that are Ill. and ! could not leave
before. Mademoiselle de Musset
travels usually with . maid. But
this trip she has engaged mo ia
keep her things in order. I will
soon make 1t neat. Miss Ashe.
Maybe you would like to take a
little stroll around tho deck, and
when you come back. / will be
through"
Ashtoreth agreed gladly. It
would be a relief to fill her lungs
with the pungent sea air. She
found Mademoiselle's expensive
fragrance little overpowering.
She tied the gypsy kerchief about
her head and pulled on . pair Of
gloves.
"I'll be back in 10 minutes"
she said.
A mysterious lady - Mademoi-
selle. Ashtoreth was tempted to
make a few cautious inquiries Of
the stewardesa. who seemed to
know her. A sense Of delicacy
overcame her curiosity. however.
And. dismissing her exciting
roommate. she turned her
thoughts to Maizie. Maizie and
Sadie. And Monty. And Mr.. Hart.
II she could only forget him!
The wind was blowing wintry
gale. A glorious thing to brave.
Ashtoreth turned her face to the
flying clouds.
1t was 4 wild night. A night
for Vikings. And girls with mad,
young blood In their veins.
'Oh. Oh" she cried. and sang a
little song she knew:
Some love to roam DER the dark
seas foam.
Where the shrill winds whistle
freen"
But the gale took the words
from her mouth. and flung them
back into her teeth. And the wind
sent her scurrying down the deck.
A man lowered his head to the
blast, and rounded the corner.
And the wind. screeching. flung
Ashtoreth into his arms He
stretched them wide to catch her.
Ard held her for a moment, while
she steadied herself.
am eOfry. ne cried.
An American, Ashtoreth
thought, would have said, Il beg
your pardon" Englishmen al
ways said they were sorry. She
liked 1t. 1t seemed more sincere.
He had pipe in one hand.
Ashtoreth could see the tobacco
glowing in the bowl. And his hat
was in his hand. The moon had
scuttled behind a fleeing cloud.
And the deck was black as ink.
: II am sorry" he repeated. y
hope l didn't hurt you. Did
brighten YOU"
"A ltitle." she admitted.
She liked his voice in the dark.
And she liked his coat. 1t was
tweed - some coarse stuff - and
smelled Of tobacco She had