The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-28

/ III dllb1lQAtACD- SdPPCoN CIV JS~@
age, I'd rather have had luncheon
at Jacks, than handle the empty
tea cups from which an empress
drank. Viewpoints change. Well,
run along, my dear"
Ashtoreth took an orchid from
the cluster on her dressing table.
Hollis had them delivered each day
She pinned it at her belt, and
rummaged through her bureau
drawer for a handkerchief that
matched its lavender petals.
Then she clasped a string Of
square-cut amethysts about her
neck. and slipped off her pearl ring
to wear a finger stone that matched
her necklace. Purple was Monty's
taYorite color.
Felix was helping pack, so she
took taxi, and stopped on the way
to buy Monty tie, FOR little part
ing gift.
While it was being wrapped, she
noticed a gold cigaret case, and
bought it as carelessly as she had
chosen the tie.
"Ill warrant she'll prove an ex-
cuse for the glass. You're the
Haunting extravaganza queen,
Ash"
That's all right" she retorted.
I'm married to the king"
Monty grew serious.
"He is a prince, you know, Ash. I
don't believe you half appreciate
him"
ooh, yes, I do" she protested.
There's just one little thing, Mon
ty. Two little things, should say"
She leaned toward him, and
the sparkling champagne made her
eyes dance. She laughed softly.
Irresistibly. "False teeth" she gig
gled. Two of them. On swivels. He
takes them out nights"
Monty regarded her severely.
II wouldn't tell any one but
you," she assured him.
well, that's nice Of you, I'm
sure. Listen to my words of wis
dom, young woman. If your hus-
band had a toupee and a wooden
leg and glass eye, he'd still be
aces with me. And you'd be darn
lucky girl, at that"
"Well, it's not very romantic" she
demurred, thinking of the teeth.
She believed that was why Hollis
was always up first in the morning.
Probably he kept them in a glass
in the bathroom.
At 10 o'clock she pretended to
look about for Hollis, and watched
the door, as though expecting him.
What are you doing tonight,
Monty?"
Going to bed" he told her.
went out on a bender last night,
and I'm not feeling so hot"
Then suppose you take me
home" she proposed. 1--WE can
leave a message here for Holly.
I'm tired myself"
CHE was BEGINNING to be a little
~ nervous. Hollis had surely re-
turned, and was probably frightened
to death. Well, it would serve him
right.
Just the same, she had better be
going. He was crazy about her.
really. It would not do to brighten
him too much.
But Hollis was not there when
they arrived.
Come up" she invited Monty
its perfectly respectable. We have
a drawing room"
He declined shortly. mo thanks.
I'll be toddling along. See you in
Boston some time"
"Oh, please come. Monty. =.
Listen, I'll tell you something. 1t
wasn't true that I was expecting
Holly at Maxim's. I don't know
where he is.
Il went there alone, because he
didn't come home to dinner. He
went out this afternoon, while I was
lunching with you. He didn't leave
any message or anything. And I
haven't seen him since"
Monty whiStled. "Was he sore
because you met me?"
"Oh. no. No, that wasn't it. We
haven't quarreled. In fact, 1 think
he probably left note for me when
ne went out, but Afogg was clean
ing, and she's the most thorough
thing you ever saw. Sweeps every
thing up, just like a whirlwind.
"Holly'S poor note must have gone
the way of all tissue. I've no doubt
| he's tried to reach me a dozen times
by telephone, but you know your
self how these French people are
about getting messages.
Il assure you, Monty. there's MOTH
ing wrong. Only I'm just a little