New Britain herald., 1929-01-02
THIS HAS HAPPENED

a mysterious Frenchwoman. has
had a hemorrhage. and the ships
doctor says she cannot live. Mona is
gay and gallant and ready, it seems,
TO die. But Ashtoreth is heart
broken.
The hemorrhage was the result
of a furious scene, in which Mona
denounced Jack Smythe, a young
Englishman, for making love to
Ashtoreth.
Following the doctors report
that Mona Is doomed, the captain
sends for Ashtoreth. He tells her
first that Mona is dying, and out
lines the arrangements he has
made to have her carried to Qua
deloupe, her island home.
Mona appears to have been Il
colorful creature, and something OF
an enigma. The captain speaks OF
hearing Of her in Paris, where She
made a sensation. Mona was an EN-
tertainer--Wth few counts, and
millionaire from the Argentine
chasing her about
While the captain is telling what
he knows of Mona's notorious Ca
rcer, DR.. Saunders enters the CABIN.
tNOW GO ON WITH THE STORY)
CHAPTER XXIII
The Doctors unruffled demeanor
had vanished. And he seemed curl
ously shaken.
II couldn't keep her" he said,
and there was tremor behind HI,
brusque tones. THE woman was
game. She suffered terribly-ana
went out smiling. And-can you
believe it, captain? - there was
prayer on her lips. She asked me
to pray for her SOUL"
The doctor mopped his forehead
with the handkerchief he rolled
between his palms.
yes, sir - Mona de Musset be-
lieved in God, and she wasn't afrai1
to de-"
They carried Mona's body ashore
at Guaeeloupe. Crowds lined the
wharf. And there We're numbers o,
big black policemen to keep order.
Only the dead womans relatives
we're allowed on the quay. Their
were flve OF them-decorous, decent
people.
Swarming to the shores, streamed
half the island Notwithstanding
and crying. Jostling and fighting.
It was like public celebration. ex-
cept that some OF them chanted
weird dirges, which were presently
taken up by the others. So that the
shores rang with their lamentations
for the beautiful dead.
AShtoreth shut herself in the
suite that had been given her. and
put her fingers in her ears. She lay
on the bed, with pillow over her
head, and cried as though her heart
would break. Mona's jade was
about her neck. And Mona's brace.
let's on her wrists.
That afternoon the boat docked
ut Dominica. Smythe had left the
boat at Antigua. And Ashtoretn
felt lonelier than she had ever been
before. She wondered If anywhel.
Ou eAElH lutTe WAS SUCH ullcI lOllc.
Illness as in her heart.
She wandered aimlessIy about the
streets. The day was fearfully hos.
The other passengers had hired
cars. and driven away into the
mountains. to picnic and see the
gorgeous views. There had been u
sudden tropical shower and Their.
were two rainbows. Like MORE
ribbons in the sky.
"Oh, it amt goin' to rain NO
noah - no noah. Oh, 1t amt goin'
to rain no NOAH" whistled a small
black boy. trundling bicycle.
Ashtoreth smiled. Somehow the
clouds had lifted.
Down the street strolled man
in whites. wearing the stiff helmc.
that Americans and Europeans af-
feet in the tropics. In his button
hole was a whisp of purple bougain-
vtllea. And he was whistling, too.
"Oh. 1t amt goin' to rain no
more. :"
For a moment Ashtoreth thought
she would faint. Then. as he turned
up an avenue off the main street,
she ran toward him with her hands
stretched. calling wildly:
''Oh, Mr.. Hart! Mr.. HART"
Hollis Hart turned in amaze
Inent
"Ashtoreth" he cried. And came
and took her hands in his.
''Mr. HART : she repeated. ION.
Mr.. Hart"
They stood In the middle of the
street, oblivious to the stares of
the curious natives. And he co.,
tinued to hold her hands.
Il can't believe IT." he said. ITS
simply incredible
He smiled slowly. Did you
know" he asked, that l called you
Ashtoreth? 1t is the way / always
think of you. IT'S such a lovely
name, and it suits you SO. Do yo,,
mind?"
II love to hear you say it," she
told him simply.
He released her hands.
Come" he proposed. WEI,
have to get out Of the sun You
know. You'll be having n stroke"
He took her arm. and drew her
into a little shop.
we can have lime squash
here. or an ice. Something cooI
You must tell me where you cam
from. and how you got here. This
Is the most delightful surprise
You're not" he glanced at her
rply-'you're not by any chance
On a wedding trip
Ashtoreth laughed
"Oh. my goodncss-no. What did
you think I'd done with my hus-
band? No--I'm quite alone In
TACT, I've never been so terribly
awfully. lonesomely all alone in my