New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-30


him of Gala lilies. Mrs. Saunders
had manicured them. and Ashto-
reth had recently applied Vio-
lette's marvellous creme, to keep
them soft and fair.
"You told Monty everything
was all right. You that that you
knew We we :"
why. surely. my dear" He in
terrupted gently. There is no
doubt in my mind about you and
MIR. English"
"Then why" she cried again.
fluttering her pale hands entreat-
ingly-''why are you acting like
this?"
Hollis leaned against the door.
and looked very tired. and a little
old.
What is the use." he asked
reasonably. "of going over this
again and again? You're over
wrought. Ashtoreth. You :"
"You don't call me Orchid any
more!" she cried. and her voice
broke OH wild little sob.
NO" he said. His voice was
very gentle.
That's because you think I'm
n-n-not g-g- good" she sobbed.
please" he besought YEARLY.
She dried her eyes. and con-
trolled her voice.
II won't make a scene, Holly"
she promised. II won't act like
Sadie Morton when she was trying
to get you back. :"
You couldn't" he interrupted
CALAMITY.
She continued dispassionately.
"Oh I've no doubt you think that
Sadie. You are sure now that you
married beneath you. You don't
believe any more that I am q
thoroughbred"
She raised her Land to silence
him. when he tried to speak. :
ooh. ! know, Holly. You've
had your doubts for a long time.
But. when you held me in your
arms, you could forget them. :.
l hadn't background. ] hadn't
culture. I hadn't even principle.
but could make you forget
all that. my lover . couldn't I?
You held me in your arms, and
you didn't care If l hadn't a fine
thing about me.
you believed me to be inno-
cent. And you thought that no
man before had tasted such kisses
from my lips. You talked about
my adorable untouchedness.' And
you called me Orchid because you
said I was chaste. and cool. and
remote.
You bought me gifts. and
dressed me in beautiful clothes.
And believed that you were Great
ing setting for a jewel to CLEAN
for YOU alone.
''Then you found me in another
mans room. :"
"Ashtoreth!" he stopped her
harshly.
"But you did" she cried. 1--WE
won't mince words. Holly. You
are not used to plain talking. And
I'm not either. But let us under
stand each other now. You
found me there. And that. my
poor dear, was the end Of a dream
The end Of the beautiful myth you
had builded all around me. You
couldn't talk any more about my
adorable untouchedness.' You
couldn't believe me chaste, and
cool and remote. :"
"Ashtoreth, won't have you
talking this way!"
He came into the room. and
stood near her. But he did not
touch her. nor capture her hand
when she laid 1t on his arm.
you know" she said. that
Monty and I told you the truth.
You know that I was worried when
you did not come back. and that
I went to him because he was the
only friend ! had. You believe
that, as believe you spent the
day and half the night negotiating
for the purchase Of French plane
for me.
1T were suspicious woman.
I might not credit that story. But
suspicion is the jealousy OF dull.
mean minds. know that you
went to Monty not because you
suspected my virtue-but because
he was my friend, and might have
word of me. You were frightened
when you returned, and found me
gone, and it was natural that you
should go to him.
1--WE have not lied to each other.
Hollis. And you must believe me
when I swear that l have not been
unfaithful to you"
''He shuddered. mo. No." he
said. Il believe you, Ashtoreth."
'Then," she said. lit is because
I have shattered an ideal that
you have closed your heart to me.
. You were dreaming. my dear
a beautiful dream. And you can
not forgive me, because / woke
you"
She looked at him through her
tears, and felt great pity for his
sorrow.
Poor darling" she murmured.
II am so sorry. So sorry"
He raised his head and looked
at her searchingly.
You say yoL have told me the
truth, Ashtoreth. Have you al