The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-12-21

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obscene"
Then without waiting for an an
Swer, she continued in throaty
voice that carried embarrassingly:
"They look like dumb-bellS run
over by the express train-the good,
fat, married ladies. Or drunken
dollar marks, eh?"
Ashtoreth felt acutely uncom-
Portable. She knew, with hurrid
certainty, that if she were friendly
with Mademoiselle, she would have
no other friends aboard.
But how could she possibly Snub
the women with whom she roomed?
She wished frantically that she had
been able to afford a single state
room.
Maybe the purSer would let her
have another cabin. If Maizie could
only see her now! Or Monty. Or
Mr.. Hart. Arm in arm with Mad
emoiselle de Musset!
MademoiSelle picked up feath-
cred wrap and they strolled togeth-
er to the promenade deck.
IF we are roommates," she Sug-
gested, 1--WE shall be friends, eh?"
She had a delightful French &C
cent. And her funny little "ehS"
were piquant and foreign.
There was something at once fas-
cinating and repellent about the
woman. So that Ashtoreth was re-
minded of a gorgeous snake she had
seen, embracing a Hindu at the cir
Gus. All shining green and gold.
Weaving back and forth, sensuously.
She shuddered at the recollection
as she had shuddered when she saw
the reptile.
Let us talk" proposed Made
moiselle; and calling deck stew
ard, had their deck chairs placed
together.
She settled herself languidly,
crossing her slim ankles and pillow
ing her dark head on her up
stretched arms. Her wrap had
slipped from her shoulders and she
tossed it careleSsly across her knees.
TINE boat was still in northern
Il waters, and the night was
crisp and clear. Ashtoreth drew
Sadie's warm coat closer about her
and Shivered.
you're not cold?" she exclaimed.
and held her teeth together to keep
them from chattering.
mon"
MademoiSelle considered the stars
1.-THE fat womens," she said, land
ALL the skinny ones-they make me
angry. And so I am warm"
She sighed profoundly.
II hate womenS," she remarked
and her voice had curious quail
ity. 1t was deep, soft voice, and
vibrant with feeling.
She appraised Ashtoreth criti-
cally in the light Of a brilliant
moon.
"You are very beautiful" she
pronounced unexpectedly.
And Ashtoreth suddenly felt
childish and very stupid, having no
answer to make.
$50 the women are also jealous
of you, eh?' pursued the other.
jealous? Oh, mol"
"You are on the stage?" inquired
Mademoiselle.
why, no."
Ashtoreth hesitated. 1t seemed
quite unnecessary to tell this daz-
zling creature that she was a stenog-
rapher and worked in an office.
Mademoiselle shrugged her elo-
quent shoulders. Beautiful wom-
ems make their living by exhibiting
themselves, it is not so? On the
stage, maybe. Or they are the jew
els of some rich mems. 1t is the
same thing. And the others who
can not exhibit, because they are
ugly-they are jealous. But we will
be friends, eh?"
She reached to touch Ashtoreth's
knee.
IT co." she said, ito my home in
Guadeloupe, to see who lives. The
hurricane killed 600 peoples there.
And I have no word. So I come
from Paris to see."
your people live there?" asked
Ashtoreth quickly sympathetic.
my friends" said Mademoiselle;
and, abruptly, changed the subject.
1T is your first trip? You will
love it very much. But you should
have a man. Mademoiselle. to make