The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-02-01

CHAPTER XLVIII-(Conti
Almost Immediately it was opened,
and she saw little group standing
about her husbands bed. Mrs.
Saunders was there, and a man
whom she knew Immediately to be
the ships doctor.
There were several other people
Of whom she received no particular
impression. Mrs. Saunders stopped
quickly, and drew up the sheet,
covering Hollis face.
Ashtoreth was trembling so that
she could scarcely walk. In that
dreadful moment, as she propelled
her shaking legs toward the bed,
she had a strange feeling that it
was not she-but some other wonl-
an-Who was about to look upon the
dead man. For she knew, instantly,
that her husband was dead.
"Veronal," somebody was saying,
IAN overdose"
The words came to her as from 2
great distance, and rang strangely
in her ears.
She remembered reading recently
about the death of an author, who
had died in hotel in New York
from an overdose of veronal. Ash
toreth wondered how she happened
to think of that.
There had been an inquest, and
an autopsy. And the doctors said
that the author had been troubled
with sleepleSsness, and so had taken
veronal. 1t was strange how she
was remembering all the details.
u =
GTHE doctor was talking to her,
Il but she did not know what he
was saying. She was wondering if
there would be an autopsy, and if
they would cut Hollis body. She
felt that she could not bear it.
She put her hands on the sheet,
and turned II down from his face.
He looked very quiet, and not un-
happy. enc wondered II ne was
glad that he had died.
One corner of his mouth was
quirked up little, as though he was
smiling a very small smile. She
wondered If he was smiling at life
or death. Or at her, perhaps.
Or Monty, who knew she was a
parasite.
The doctor was still talking. "You
mustn't touch the body, Mrs. Hart.
She bent and kissed the dead man
on the lips. And, for the first time
in many weeks she forgot about
those two teeth on the swiVeIs that
had killed romance.
"Oh, Hollyl" she breathed. Holly
Holly You'll never call me
Orchid any more Not ever
any more"
Suddenly she felt empowering
ly sorry for herself and rushed
from the room, crying loudly.
A little later she tainted, and was
unconscious for a very long time.
When she opened her eyes, Mrs.
Saunders was standing over her.
You're crying" she whispered.
Why, Mrs. Saunders?". 800. And
then she remembered. ... Holly's
dead, isn't hep"
The stewardess wiped her eyes.
You pore lamb" she said. ''You
pore little lamb. But it's not for
Mr.. Hart I was crying. 1t was for
yourself. You'll be that lonely, you
poor thing. Your husband-God
have mercy on his soul-has no call
for tears. He's where there's no
weeping nor sorrow"
Ashtoreth's voice was very weak,
do you say your prayers, Mrs.
Saunders?"
Il do that. God love you"
Ashtoreth slipped from the bed
to her knees.
"Oh, Holly" she prayed aloud, "if
you can hear me where you are,
you'll know that I'm not a bad girl.
And you'll know I love you, Holly.
Not the way you wanted me to.
But I couldn't help that, dear, I'm
selfish, and vain, and horrid.
But, oh Holly . Holly, dear. =.
God have merry on you both,"
said Mrs. Saunders, and lifted her
up, and put her in bed.
= u
TN little while the doctor came,
L and gave her a sedative, and told
her that Hollis had died in his sleep,
and had not suffered.
After that she slept herself. An
incredible, dreamless sleep, that
lasted all through the night.
The sur was shining again when
she awoke. Presently Mrs. Saund-
ers came in, with several envelopes
in her hand.
cables" she said. 1.-THE wireless