The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-15
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powdered cheeks. And, because she
could not stop them, Ashtoreth
came toward her through a sort Of
mist, like a vision of loneliness.
Public exhibitions of affection are
very yulgar-Ashtoreth always said
so. But Maize couldn't help it.
She threw her arms about her
daughter, and cried with joy and
pride, kissing her loudly. And Ash
toreth did not mind.
She cried a little herself, surpriS-
ingly. And folded her shabby
mother in her slim, cool arms.
Then she told the porter to call
a taxi. When they reached the
street, she gave him a dollar.
Hollis had slipped any number of
bills in her bag)
And, settling herself in the cab,
kissed her mother all over again.
There was something about Ash
toreth that made Maize believe in
the goodness of God. To be sure,
God had taken Joe away. And had
sent poverty, and any number Of
other things, besides.
But-above all-Go6 had given a
beautiful daughter to Maize. And
for that especially blessing, she
thanked him each night on her
knees, that we're getting stiff and a
bit rheumatic.
ooh, Lamb!n she cried. Its
grand, having you home again!"
did you miss me, mother?"
"It was like having the light go
out of my life."
Maizie threw plump arm about
Astoreth's shoulder, and drew her
close in a convulsive hug. Mother
never knew how much she loved her
baby" she declared solemnly.
HOW did the work go, nother?"
- Lovely, dear. Just lovely.
But my lady got feeling better last
week, and so she let me go. I was
just as glad.
81 got the flat all fixed up nice
and clean, and did some cooking.
Brownies, Ashtoreth! And an APP
pie pie. And we're going to have
chocolate pudding with whipped
cream for dessert"
"Mmml You're so good to me.
Mumsie." Ashtoreth pressed CRATE
fully against her mother. "And
now, darling, I'm going to begin
doing the incest things for you"
Maizie smiled beatifically.
you're always doing nice things
for me, honey. :. Did you have a
beautiful time, baby larnb?"
ooh, beautiful, mother! I don't
know how to begin telling you.
You'll be so surprised"
Speaking of surprises" Maize
furnbled in her velvet bag. st had
wire just as I was leaving from
Monty. What do you think that
boys doing? You'd never guess.
He's flying to Boston, to see you,
Ashtorethl
"In a flying machine, from New
York. I never was so habbergasted!
You could of just about knocked
me over with a feather, when the
Western Union boy came up to the
fat. I was in the hall, and"
"Mother!" AShtoreth clutched
the yellow envelope. mot tonight?
Let me See!"
She read it helplessly: Arriving
by plane. Must see Ashtoreth i'm
nlediately. Monty English"
Maize was peering over her
shoulder.
'T guess he means tonight all
right, dearie," she said. "Aint you
glad? I should think you'd be real
glad to see Monty-a nice boy like
him, Ashtoreth."
well, I'm not!"
Ashtoreth drew away petulantly.
ST sent him a wireless from the
boat, telling him not to meet me.
l should think he'd know enough to
leave me alone after that"
"But, Ashtoreth - honey - why
you got to be so mean to Monty?"
ooh, mother! You don't under
stand!"
n SHTORETH twisted her fingers
l. Ane.vously. She wondered about
airplane service. Hollis had said
something about trying to get over
on the air mail
She wondered if there would be
room fer two passengers. If, per-
haps, he and Monty were flying to-
gether What a hateful coincidence
that would be!
''I thought you'd be so pleased"
Maize was saying. I've got another
little surprise-and I was sort of
counting on Monty's coming to take
the curse off this other surprise. I'm
afraid you won't be much pleased,
AShtoreth, but / didn't know what I
could do. Tt wasn't as if"
For goodness sake, mother, what
is it?"
Ashtoreth's voice was sharp and
angry.
"Well." Maize tried to buster
little, defiantly. "Sadie's staying
with us for while. Poor girl-she
didn't have no place to CO."
Sadie! Oh, my God!"