The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-29


orange ice for dessert, because Ash
toreth had begun TO diet,
Pardon me-" Monty rose. "I've
a telephone call to make"
He WAS back in moment.
II reached my friend" he volun-
teered. land he wasn't able to do
thing for me. There's another
boat on Thursday. I'll have to wait
for that"
Ashtoreth laid down her fork.
'Montford English, you're a liar.
You've Cancelled your reservation
because you don't want to travel
on the same liner with usl"
He grinned easily.
Nonsense, Ash. I told you my
friend hadn't any luck. They've
been full for week"
He shrugged his shoulders.
Honest" he said.
you're simply avoiding me,
Monty English. You know you are"
"All right then" He looked
straight into her eyes. 81 am
But why. Monty?"
ooh, you're SO puritanical!" Ash
toreth attacked her chicken savage
ly, "Anybody'd think we weren't
old friends, the way you talk"
He shrugged his shoulders.
Women detest friendship" he
told her. There's French cynic--
M. de Croisset-we were reading
some of his epigrams at school the
other day. He says Women de-
spise friendship. Temperature too
low; it gives them a cold on the
chest"
ooh, Monty. you're impoSsible!"
"Al right. Let's not talk about
it. Finish your chicken. Will you
have some more wine?"
CHE pushed her plate away petu-
- lantly.
mo, you've ruined my appetite.
And I thought we were going to
have such a pleasant little good-by
luncheon!"
Listen, Ashtoreth," Monty COW
cred her hand with his You're
not playing the game, little girl.
You bargained with life for mil
lions, and you're sick of the bar
gain.
1.-THE stakes were high, and you
won. Life hates gutter, Ash. And
you've got to stick by your bargain"
1T don't know what you're talk
ing about!" she exclaimed.
Maybe I didn't say it very
WE'LL" he acknowledged. I'm rot
much on speeches, but you do know
what I mean, ASH
THAT you want me to leave you
alone?" she flashed.
He smiled efficiently.
That's putting it rather crude
ly," he objected. "But since you
ask me, that's about the size of it,"
"And I thought" she moaned,
"that you were my friend"
Monty looked at her Sternly.
People who have been lovers can
never be friends" he told her.
There's no such thing as friend
ship between a beautiful woman
and a hungry man. I don't par
ticularly want to be your friend,
Ashtoreth. I'd rather be out of the
picture altogether"
'Then you don't value friend
ship?" she demanded angrily.
ooh, yes" he insisted. cts a
wonderful thing between men. I!
suppose it is also a wonderful thing
between women.
and I've no doubt there have
been perfect friendships between
men and women. Deep, abiding,
loving friendships. But they're
rare, Ashtoretll.
Il don't say man can't be
friendly with a girl. Fond of her,
and all that :. But, when it
comes to one of these close, init
mate affairs-they're dangerous, I
tell you.
You're too beautiful, Ashtoreth.
And I'm too DESTROYS"
She blushed, and looked at her
chicken.
Foolish! I'm not beautiful"
"All right, then. But I am desir-
Gus, I'm not old. or hard boiled
enough to look at you, and be any,
thing else"
They were quiet for little while,
playing with their glasses.
my God!" Monty broke the ST.
lence violently. why did you do
II AshI''