New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1929-01-23
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he were calling On = saint. or the
Mother Of God. And he vas
always talking about her darling
untouchedness.' and telling her
how cool she was. and chaste, and
lovely. like an orchid.
Sometimes, in the pressing dark
of her cabin. she thought OF Monty.
And all his rough. young ways.
And his merry slang. And tho way
he used to tell her truths about
herself. And she wondered II
Monty would laugh. II he could
hear Hollis saying such beautiful
things.
Monty had told her something
once. about getting married.
you'll get married for one Of
two things. Ash" he said. Love
or money. You won't be like all
the rest of the women. Half the
girls l know got q bug on getting
married. Not because they love q
man! But because they'd like 4 lit
tie place of their own. Or they're
fed up on working. Or they're
lonesome. and they want company,
Maybe it's just a meal ticket they're
grabbing. Or they don't want to be
old maids. Some OF them do It SOS
they can have kids. There's reasons
enough. decent and respectable. and
all that. But it's not love-and it's
not just money.
Nov. you're different. Ash. It'll
be love or money with you. And
nothing else but"
but money doesn't make 4 hap
py marriage, Monty!" she had pro-
tested.
mo, but It makes up for an I'M
happy one." he told her wisely. I'll
you don't love man more than
God himself, be sure he's got
money. Ash. If you love him
enough, it don't count. ! got feel
ing in my bones. ;"
What sort Of . feeling" she had
demanded, when he hesitated.
But Monty shrugged his shoul-
ders then. and whistied. That wa
all. he declared, that he had to say
Love or Money. Well, did
didn't I? thought Ashtoreth to her
self. :. Marry for love, mean,
she added hastily.
She had left Hollis in the ball
, room, and slipped out during brief
moment when nobody was paying
any particular attention to her.
Now she leaned over the rail, and
drew her glittering cloak about her.
There was somebody standing in
little corner that was full Of shad-
cws. Ashtoreth had not seen him,
but she felt him, standing there.
He had seen her, of course, in the
light Of the open door. clothed in
black and silver. with a star on her
forehead, and a cleaning wrap ia
warm her. Probably he was lonely
and would like to talk to somebody
:. Why not: Hollis was dancing
with Lady Mary. wasn't he? And
not caring = bit what became Of
her.
She leaned over the railing, and
addressed herself to the heavens
Star bright. star light-first star
I've seen tonight. l wish l may, ]
wish I might-have the wish that
I wish tonight"
She turned her profile toward the
dark corner, and clasped her hands
against her throat. shivering slight
ly. and drawing her cloak closer.
Hollis said that her hands made
him think of Gala lilies. As for
her profile-she knew that was per-
feet. She sighed softly.
Then out of the shadows stepped
familiar figure. And that
moment the door opened. framing
Hollis, his hands thrust in the
pockets of his dinner coat.
Ashtoreth knew he was looking
for her. but she pretended, for a
moment, to be lost in contempla-
ton of the wintry sea. The stranger
stepped back, filling tho corner
filled already with darkness.
"Orchid!" cried Hollis, and
Joined her at the rail. my dear.
you'll catch cold!"
He covered her hands with his.
chatting them warmly. SILLY
little girl - it's frigid as Grtln-
lands icy mountains out here"
Il didn't know you'd miss me, -
she pouted prettily. You we're 50
interested In Lady Mary"
Darling" he cried. and put his
arms about her. You know better
than that, don't you Sweetheart? ?"
She let him hold her for a mo-
mcnt, looking over his shoulder.
peering into the shadows. That
man had given her dreadful
start. He looked SO exactly like
Monty. 1t couldn't be, Of course.
But what if 1t was? She drew
a little away from her husband.
Come on in, Hollis. I'm frozen
to DEATH"
But why did you come out, Or
chid?"
10 wish on the first star" she
told him. II always do"
"Baby!" he murlnured. Darling
little baby" and forgot that there
had been several first stars, rising
over the Caribbean. that his bride
had quite overlooked.
They arrived in Paris OH a Mon
day. and went directly to the Ritz.