New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-12-27
THIS HAS HAPPENED

NSAtVkCtu <AohVs k1ODSSA esS~o"
rapher, travelling to the West In
dies, meets two fascinating people
Jack Smythe. young Englishman
who looks remarkably like the
Prince of Wales-and kisses her
thoroughly-and Mona de Musset.
with whom she rooms.
Mona IL 4 beautiful and mys-
terious lady. Smythe warns Ash
toreth against her. saying that
she IL immoral. But Mona has been
very sweet and generous - and
Ashtoreth hates to disrupt their
pleasant little intimacy.
Then Smythe accuses Ashtoreth
Of being Z gold-digger, declaring
that she cares for Mona only be-
canss Of the gifts she has re-
ceived. Ashtoreth Is very tndig-
nAt1t, but realizes that there may
be d little truth in what he says.
Shs walks way from him angrily
and goes to find her roommate.
NOW GO ON WITH THE STORY
CHAPTER XVIII
Mona. when she came on deck.
had changed her white dress for a
complete outfit Of green. She had
dressed. as usual. with complete
disregard Of the conventions There
were large single pearls in her ears.
and a triple string Of them about
her throat.
She sank gracefully In her deck
chair. and crossed her slim ankles.
Mona seldom wore stockings Hen
legl we're brown and very slender.
She smiled luminously at Ashto-
reth, and, leaning forward. kissed
her swiftly.
" have seen Meester smythe.
she said. land he told me what he
had already told YOU He say, also
Mona wrinkled her brows per-
plexedly-"Oh. yes-he say you are
my trumpery little triumph. But,
ma cherie, that is not 30. He tell
me flaunt you In the faces Of tho
fat ladies. That have embar-
raised you, because now they will
not speak to you when ! 60 to
Guadeloupe. And you will be all
alone"
Ashtoreth laid her hands on
Mona's knees.
Il am sorry" she said, that he
distressed you. because. honestly.
Mona, don't give a darn about
these women. ! like you heaps bet
ter. I'm sorry you're leaving at
Guadeloupe, because It's been lovely
having you for q roommate. Mona
dear-truly-if al these cats came
crawling on their knees, I wouldn't
speak to them. I shan't mind q bit
being alone"
A suspicion Of tears dimmed
Mona's eyes. She Jumped quickly
to her feet
'Uhen," she cried, I'VE shall 90
ashore together. There Ii 4 ch'ness
shop there. and I shall buy my little
friend Mandarin's coat, because
she is good girl, and I love her.
And a little triAket Of jade. for
good luck. Then you may say. 7
knew Mona de Mussst and she
brought me good fuck.'"
She was excited AZ child.
Come quickly" she begged.
"and you shall wear 4 dress to give
thu fat ladies pains. One I have
not ever worn. It was made for
you. ma cherie."
That evening Mona stayed ashore.
Axhtoreth had dinner brought on
deck. And there Jack arnythe join
cd her.
II hope you're not angry with
me-" he began.
but am" Ashtoreth told him.
He took the chair by her eide.
and began. leisurely. to fill his pipe.
That's too bad" he remarked.
because I've only one moro night
on board. And you know you
haven't kissed mo yet"
"Kissed you!" she cried. why.
I wouldn't kiss you II you were the
last man on earth"
He lit hts pipe before replying.
"Oh. yes. you would" he assured
her. Mona won't be back till late.
She has lots Of friends in port. She
didn't ask you to stay ashore with
her. 1 notice"
"she did. too!" lied Ashtoreth.
Smythe looked at her sharply.
II DON'T believe IT," he retorted.
but that's all right. You can't
blame the girl. 1t makes 1t very
much nicer for US. besides. I'll have
you all to myself now. up on the
top deck. The moon is absolutely
full tonight. and the sky will be
simply brimming over with starr.
A perfect night for romance"
Ashtoreth poured another cup Of
tea. and dropped q slice Of lime In
1t. She would be Just a. casual
about It a. he was.
"A perfect night" she agreed.
but not for you and me. Don't
you know / don't like your
"Well. I noticed that I hadn't
exactly slain you" he admitted.
''But you couldn't help loving me a
little tonight-the moon. you know.
and the stars. The tropics begin to
get in your blood. This sultry cli-
mate. don't you know. IL awfully
conducive to love-"
Ashtoreth dimpled.
eyes, she said. y suppose It
must he. ! hope meet somebody
nice before the trips over. It's just
too bad you're the only man
around"
He laughed good naturally.
wen have a dance after din
FER" he proposed. And then when
II gets a little dark. we'll leave
their old orchestra flat. Wen 60
up and talk to the stars"
Mona had not returned. and Ash
toreth was bored At eight o'clock
Jack knocked on her stateroom
door. And she greeted him in
swirl Of chiffon. pink as the heart
~ n rose Mona had }pciated ~ An