New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-12-31
THIS HAS HAPPENED

tie stenographer. has had a most
unpleasant experience on shipboard
Ashtoreth, on a cruise to the West
Indies, has been the innocent cause
of 4 fierce quarrel between her
roommate-Mona de Musset. and
Jack Snythe. an Englishman.
Ashtoreth goes to the boat deck
with Smythe, who has warned her
that he proposes to kiss her.
Then from the shadows steps
Mona de Musset. Mona. in a wild
fury, denounces the Englishman.
And tells Ashtoreth that he makes
love in order to put it in a book
and sell It," She swears that he
made love to her-and then pub.
lished the tale Of their amours.
The vehemence Of her TRADE
choked her, and she stopped for
breath. She put her handker-
chief to her mouth, and when she
took it away there was blood on
It.
Ashtoreth persuades her to 90
down to their stateroom and sends
for the ships doctor.
CHAPTER Xxi
When Ashtoreth came in, Mona
had slipped into a crimson smok-
ing jacket and was propped on her
elbow, rouging her lips.
She had a gold backed mirror in
one hand. and in the other little
silver pot OF ruby paste.
Now Mona, you know the doctor
said you shouldn't SO much as raise
your arms!' scolded Ashtoreth.
"Give me that stuff this minute
Mona dabbei unooncernedly with
her long forefinger.
Il look CHASTITY" she explained.
II put on my mouth. Then l go
to sleep"
Ashtoreth sat by the side OF the
berth.
Mona" she said. I'm awfully
worried about you. The doctor says
you've had a little hemorrhage,
and he wants you to stay in bed
until your temperature goes down,
If it isn't normal by the time VIC
reach Guadeloupe. he says you
shouldn't try to go ashore. You'll
have to stay right in your berth
until we get back to New York.
Then you're to have your lungs
N-rayed. l don't want to brighten
YOU. or anything like that, but
honestly, Mona-you must be very
careful"
ITS so hot' she complained,
and tossed the sheet aside.
Ashtoreth pulled up the covers.
BE good, Mona she admon-
ished. You're to keep absolutely
quiet, and stop throwing thing,
around"
Mona reached for her hands as
she smoothed out the sheet.
You grieve for me, ma cherie:"
she asked.
Ashtoreth hastily. There's moth
ing to erieve about. You're not dan
e~rously sick or anything like
that"
Nom"
The French woman raised her ex-
pressive brows.
II have tuberculosis OF the throat,
ma cherie. And now. maybe, ! have
it of tho lungs also. Doctors in
Paris-they tell mo 1 have NOS long
TO live.'
"Oh. Mona!"
Ashtoreth caught the sick wo-
mans hands to her heart.
The doctor did not tell you,
sh?"
"No-oh, no."
Maybe he does not know" :.
Mona sighed. "Maybe he is
what you call 4 horse doctor. But
the doctors In Paris they know.
And they tell me-"
Ashtoreth's heart beat madly.
She was shaking all over.
II don't belize it," she cried.
at couldn't be. Mona. You're too
beautiful"
The French woman smiled.
II have lived" she said. "And
/ have loved. am not going to be
old"
She smiled again. and shivered.
And they were silent for a while.
Then she said, THE fire of my
life burns low. 1t Is a light that
will go out sometime. like all lights
everywhere"
She drew Ashtoreth's fingers to
her lips.
Il am not afraid" she whispered.
II like the dark"
Ashtoreth was trembling vio-
lently. A horrible fear obsessed
A. hnA
stealthy feet across the shining sea.
and entered. unbidden. their little
caNn. She seemed to feel its pres
ence.
Mona lay on her back now. There
were bright spots on either cheek.
burning redly. And her eyes were
blazing blue. Her skin was hot.
and very dry. Presently she dropped
her lids and remained so still that
Ashtoreth thought she slept.
Ashtoreth stood up then. and
went to the portfolio. She saw the
moon on the water. making 1t so
magically lovely. that there seemed
nothing real anywhere about. The
night was full Of beauty and mys-
ticism. And Asthoreth's spirit was
troubled with vague inaginings
that had never come to her before.
Mona's swinburne lay. open. on
the couch. Ashtoreth took It In her
hands, and saw that It was open to
the marked passage she had read
the night before:
From too much love Of living.
From hope and fear set free. :"
Mona opened her eyes.
You love poetry" she whisper
ed.
Aslfnre&h waa aln1nSf a1raid IA