New Britain herald., 1929-01-12

/, another and another un- til it was morning. And with the dawn. he knew that. right or wrong, he would abide by Ashtoreth's de- sire, For the big old bed. with the pale. slim girl sleeping in it. held heaven for him. and all but God. ! The sun had risen and he saw a i boat riding the waves. The cruise ship. back again. 1 The servants were up with the sun. and they helped him prepare 10 leave. packing his bags. and , bearing messages to the town.
 At seven Hortense called Ashto- reth. The boat was sailing at 10. Monsieur Hart was waiting in the dininc-room. for her 10 join him in l breakfast.
 She bathed in the big cement tank in the bath house beneath the mango. Hortense. whose dusky p | cestresses were ladies' maids to the l first white women on the island, | dried her with hot towels, and scented her with Hollis shaving taicum. And combed her long hair, and slipped her ,nly dress over her head. and told her she was heauti- 1 full as the morning.
 She went then to Hollis, and greeted him ti.nidly. For Hortense | had told her of the return of the i boat. and 1t seemed as if the flying hours were crashing about her head. He kissed her reverently. as though last night had been dream. and only today was real. Very much as though she had been child. touching her eyes and her forehead with his llps.
 "The boat" he told her "sails af i io have sent my bags ahead. and transacted. ny messenger, all my business on the island. So that VI can leave when you are ready"
 "1'm ready this minute" she as sured him. T only want to say goodby to Hortense and Lisa and Cher, and the rest. And pick some orchids. and walk through the gar den. And look at the mountains and the sea and everything, so that I can never forget a blessed shadow or sunbeam. so long as live. want to photograph it on my mind forever and ever. and lock the memory in my heart. so that ] can never lose it until die"
 "Odette and Adele are picking or. chids for you now" he told her and scarlet lilies. to fill your state room. Hortense is begging that yo,l will take her home for your maid And Lisa and the twins want to go also"
 Ashtoreth laughed
 Poor Hortersc." she said "she'd havc to sleep m the hathtuh. If we could get maid for ahsolntc], nothing We haven't even corner in that flat to squeeze her tn."
 "Rut I meant for your own per sonal maid" he explained. "Aftel we are married. She is so devoted to you. [ wondered if perhaps you't l
 My own personal maid" Ashto roth stared at her lover. ITO dres' me. you neanc And comb my hair and give me baths?"
 'Surely. my dear. You will wan a maid, of course. Perhaps. though you would rather have a more ex, perienced woman. I suppose Hor' tense doesn't know about sucf things ns manicures and facials and all the little tricks of in. tree"
 But Holly. Ashtoreth wa amazed Its been lots Of fun. dowr here - having SO much attention Eut. my goodness. I wouldn't van maid at home. Why. I'd feel li''' one of those d doll- women. or si ' little dog in a n-hasket. l would be just too foolish for any thins-a working girl like mel"
 Hollis smiled.
 "1t was only suggestion" h. said. ''Hortonso was so anxious t' get to the States. You sec rented all the servants with the house. Tn planter who owns the place i : spending his holiday in Barbados : And I'm only now discovering hoy : little native servants cost It's n' wonder they want to go 10 Amer ica. How much do you suppos' Hortense is paid. my dear?"