Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 182, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 December 1928 — Page 14

PAGE 14

OUfie Jtortf of a Modern Moon, Goddess r ~7}V'jr*tea?urr RCH I D .

CHAPTER Xl—(Continued) “And Doctor Henderson says I wouldn’t be expected to do a thing but just wait on her. And a little cooking, besides. You know how I love to cook, Ashtoreth! Why, I'd love it, honey!” Maizie was beaming persuasively. "That’s $l4O for a month! And the janitor says he can sublet the flat all furnished for us, for $lO more than we’re paying now. Why, Ashtoreth, you can go away, honey —and we’ll be making money on you!” Tears came to Ashtoreth’s eyes. And a great lump in her throat. “Darling!” she cried. “You’re just the best mother in all the world.” “Then that's settled?” Maizie was eager as a child. “I told Doctor Henderson I’l let him know for sure this afternoon. The old lady has a nurse now. But she’s letting her go. And I was to tell the doctor just how soon I could go to work. He says you’ll be able to travel in another week. “And I thought we might makearrangements for you to go away a day or two before I take the job. Then I could get the place cleaned up and go to work myself the first of the month. The janitor says he can rent it right away.* He’s got someone just waiting for the word.” Astoreth sat up in bed, hugging her little quilted jacket about her. “You’ve planned everything, mother!” she accused. “You and Dr. Henderson —you’re simply in cahoots. But —oh, you darling mother—you’re such an angel!” Praise from her daughter always affected Mrs.’ Ashe. Now unbidden tears sprang to her eyes. She wiped them away furtively and smiled. “It takes mother to fix things!” she boasted. “Well now, young lady, will you please pick yourself a trip?” Ashtoreth raised her arms. “Kiss me,” she commanded. “And, mother, you’re sure you want me to go? You won’t miss me?” Maizie blew her nose with more realism than romance. “Os course I’ll miss you.” she admitted. "But I’ll be glad every minute that you’re gone. It may not be proper and all that for a young girl to go off by herself on a boat and traipsing around strange places, but I guess my lamb won’t be up to any monkey business. “And who do we know that’s going to talk? Besides, what do we care if they do? It would be plumb foolish for a girl to stay home just because some jealous old hens that never get a chance to go anywhere themselves say she ought.” tt tt a MAIZIE went out soon, to shop for dinner. And when she had gone Ashtoreth slipped to her knees at the side of her bed. “Oh, God,” she prayed, “dear God, forgive men for being ashamed of my mother. Do anything you want to me, God—but please don’t ever, ever hurt mother! She’s so good. And I’m so wicked. Oh. make me always be patient and generous with her as she is with me. I ought to be punished for being mean to her. But please, please don’t punish me by hurting her! Anything else, God, but that!” Then, having bargained with her Savior, Ashtoreth crept, shivering, back to bed. And, huddling beneath the blankets, cried quietly. Crying because Maizie was so good. Crying because she loved her. . . . And because, to Hollis Hart, she had denied her. “It would just serve me right, God,” she admitted, “if I never saw Mr. Hart again as long as I live.” And then she vowed renunciation. To prove how much she loved her mother, she would never try again to interest Hollis Hart. Next day she telephoned the office and talked to Mrs Mason. He*’ position, she was assured her, would be open on her return. “Now you’ve got to get some i

“Faith!” Tony cried, bolting into the living room, her blue eyes blazing with excitement. “Here’s the queerest-looking letter you ever saw, addressed to Bob! Look!” Faith took the envelope from Tony’s trembling hand. For across a soiled, cheap white envelope was pasted a series of letters clipped from small-size newspaper headlines, spelling out the name: Robert Hathaway.” “Let’s see!” Cherry unceremoniously snatched the letter out of her sister’s nerveless hand. “I’m going to open it!” she cried, when she had studied its peculiar address. “Os course it’s about Crystal! I’m frantic with ecxitement. “Well, I—call—that—clever!” she said with low amazement, spacing each word ominously. “Look! A page from yesterday’s Morning Star, with words ringed in pencil. I—l think I’m getting a little bit scared,” she admitted, turning as if for protection toward Alan Beardsley. Sandy Ross, who had been content to keep in the background, took one long stride, reached out a long arm, and removed the sinister page from Cherry’s exaggeratedly shaking fingers. “Ransom letter?” he asked, and three girls screamed. “Want me to figure it out?” Sandy asked Faith, who nodded, her lips too stiff with cold terror to form words. “Get paper and pencil, Tony,” Sandy ordered laconically, not at all excited, apparently, but his freckled eyes, straying over the much-creased front page of the Morning Star, were narrowed to slits. Here and there over the newspaper page words were ringed in pencil, with straight lines drawn from word to word, to give the prospective reader of the “letter” a clew to the sequence, without a vjstige of the perpetrator’s handwriting to be used against him.

clothes,” ordered Maizie. “A coat for the boat and pretty summer dresses.” “But they’re only showing summer things for rich people!” lamented Ashtoreth. It was Sadie, dropping in tlia 1 evening, who proved the practicality of thrifty shoppers. “Go to the bargain basements,” counseled Sadie, “and get last sum mer’s leftovers. They’ll be marked down to next to nothing. And you can touch ’em up a little, with kerchiefs and things. Nobody’s ever know the difference, Ash—you’re so handy with a needle.” She insisted that Ashtoreth borrow a coat of camel’s hair, soft as a kitten’s ear. And a little brown suede hat that looked like Amelia Earhart’s helmet. It hugged her ears smartly and matched the coat to perfection. “I never wear them,” insisted Sadie. “I’m no sports model. It takes class to look athletical, and my stuff’s different. I tell you, Ash, they simply don’t suit me.” Ashtoreth tried them on. And, finally, accepted the offer gratefully. A few days later she and Maizie went shopping together. CHAPTER XII Ashtoreth bought a white crepe de chine, a simple little thing with kick pleats. White shoes to go with it, and red tennis socks. When she tried it on that evening at home and pinned a gipsy kerchief across her shoulders, she looked like Helen Willis exhibiting the correct thing for sports. She chose, also, a beaded dinner frock, virginally pure and sweet. Marked from $65 to $5.50 because the beads were coming off. It took eight hours to sew them on. But it was a good day’s pay, however you looked at it. To wear with the little white gown, she bought with crepe de chine pumps, planning to have them dyed for the street in the springtime. A faded pink satin proved adorable as to line and fit. “I’ll dye it that new shade of cinnamon brown,” decided Ashtoreth, “and it will be stunning with Sadie’s borrowed outfit.” Then there was a cool green'chiffon, with a full, long skirt, rather shorter in front than in back. "I’m not going to get anything else but sport clothes,” decreed Ashtoreth. “I think they’re the only practical thing for traveling, because a girl’s always well dressed if she's simply dressed. “And sports clothes are something you can wear morning, noon and night. Sunny days and rainy days, and all the time.” She found a rose voile and a French blue hat to go with it. Then a pale yellow, with which the same hat was particularly good. Then for 24 cents a yard she bought flowered print. And, for $1.03 apiece, made three pretty dresses. ‘Cotton prints,” she told Mazie, “are much smarter than silks.” But Maizie held the stuff between her fingers and sniffed contemptuously. "We wouldn’t of put it in a patch work quilt when I was young,” she icoffed. tt tt tt Ashtoreth had decided to take a West Indies cruise. At first Maizie protested. “That’s where the hurricane started that killed all the people in Florida!” she objected. “But the hurricane season’s over,” explained Ashtoreth. Sadie, who had dropped in with more offers of fine raiment, perused a booklet. “Listen, Mrs. Ashe!” she commanded, and read aloud: “West Indies! Sea girt isles of romance. Languorous and primitive, with beauty outstretching every dream. Flowers and perfume. “And mountains with palms that ouch the tip of the moon. Days of

The sheet looked like a puzzle for children, correctly solved. Sandy called out the words in a low voice, and Tony wrote them down. Most of the more sinister words were culled from the big front-page story on the kidnaping of Mary Jefferson, a Darrow high school girl, the biggest news sensation in the state at the time. Tony’s camelia-white cheeks could scarcely grow paler, but as she wrote the red in her lips was slowly drained away. At last: “I’ll read you what it says,” she announced to the fearful, silent watchers. “Your girl relative is safe if you come through, but we will not be resonsible for consequences if you notify police. Place $5,000 in bills of small- denomination, unmarked, in shoe box and leave on sidewalk in garbage can in front of your house after midnight Wednesday morning. “If our messenger is followed or molested in any way girl will pay penalty. This will be our only letter. Do not fail. Two who mean business.” “That’s—that’s all,” Tony ended in a queer little voice that trailed off weakly. Sandy gave a quick look at her and without a word put his arm about her shoulders. It was Cherry who broke the deadlock of horror, her voice high and unnatural. “Please, pinch me, A! n. I’m having a dreadful nightmare Oh, Faith, say something! Do something! Say it isn’t real, Faich I—l think I’m going to faint.” And Cherry swayed against Alan Beardsley, who lifted her into his arms and carried her to a couch. “I—l’ll phone Bob,” Faith said in a queer, smothered voice. “He left a number where I could reach him—” After all, it was Faith, who loved Crystal, that fainted, and Cherry who excitedly shrilled a number into the telephone. \ (To Be Continued)

sun and nights of stars’—my cow, Ash! That’s a swell place to go all by yourself! You’ll get moonstruck and die. “Looks to me like you’d need a man on them languox-ous seas. You’ll be going primitive under an island moon. Maybe she’ll elope with a native, Mrs. Ashe.” Maize looked worried. “But I suppose nothing's as romantical as they write about,” she surmised. “Paper can’t refuse ink. as my father used to say. You won’t go falling in love, will you, Ashtoreth?” She peered anxiously into Ashtoreth’s dancing eyes, “Fall in love!” Ashtoreth laughed. “Who’d I fall in love with? No, Mums—l’ll be a little orphan on this cruise, sure as you’re born.” In vain Sadie had advocated the advantages of a trip to South America. Mr. Hart, she thought, was somewhere in the Argentine. If Ashworth could only meet him. But Ashtoreth seemed annoyd at the suggestion. “My dear, you don’t think I’m going chasing that man! And, anyhow, how could I find him? The Argentine isn’t any little hole in the wall from all I’ve heard about it. You’re crazy, Shade.” tt a a MONTY ENGLISH had sent candy and fruit from New York. And written to inquire for Ashtoreth. She had replied gratefully, but did not encourage his suggested visit. “Absence makes the heart grow' fonder," she reminded Maizie. But Maizie, with one of her rare flashes of repartee, had parried quickly*. “Yes—fonder of the other girl.” Then, growing serious, she laid a plump hand on her daughter’s slim shoulder. “God know’s I hope you’re not making a mistake, Ashtoreth. But remember—whatever happens—that there are lots of things in this world that count more than money.” Ashtoreth shook her hand away impatiently. “Mother,” she cried, “if you’re going to make any more speeches about ‘nice, clean young men,’ I’ll scream! ” “Well, you could go further and fare worse.” Maizie defended her choice stanchly. “He’s a fine boy, that’s what he is.” “Think I want to be a radio w'idow?” parried Ashtoreth. “Monty’s w'hole life is radios. He doesn’t think or talk about anything else. And he takes his ear phones to bed with him!” • Maizie chuckled. “Well, he’d get over that,” she prophesied comfortably. “Not with me, he won’t!” retorted Ashtoreth inelegantly. Maizie looked at her shrewdly. “What’s this Sadie tells me,” she wanted to know', “about that millionaire boss shining up to you? Mr. Hart. I should think he’d have more to do than flirting w'ith hi: help.” Ashtoreth colored. “Sadie’s a little fool,” she pronounced. “And you shouldn’t cad stenographers ‘help,’ dear.” “Why not?” demanded Maizie “They’re hired help, that’s what they are. And I guess it don’t make any difference what you call people, so long as they earn their money honest.” Ashtoreth averted her face. “Well then.” she said, “as Mr. Hart’s hired Hand, I might remark that I never saw him ‘shining’ up to the help. Sadie talks too much for her own good.” . “Oh, by the way.” Maizie was quick to change the subject. “Her and that boy—Georgie—have broken up.” “Well, I’m not surprised." Ashtoreth, at the moment, was a little acrimonious. “Sadie will never get any medals in any endurance test for fidelity.” “I didn’t think much of her boy anyhow,” volunteered Maizie. “I met them one day on the street. I guess I told you. He’s got patent leather hair and sort of mean eyes. Sadie’s just as well off, rid of him, if you should ask me.” tt tt a SADIE was working in a department store. On the stocking counter. Ruby Hart, w'ho worked in cosmetics, shared her apartment now. And Cleo Danforth, ex of hats. The Ashes saw her only occasionally. Ashtoreth had never told her mother of Sadie’s brief affa’r with Mr. Hart. And Maizie, who accepted the good things of life as a matter of course, never inquired the source of the girl’s affluence. “Life’s been kind to her,” said Maizie. “She’s a good, sweet girl.” Sadie had accounted satisfactorily for the fact that she was living apart from her family. They had moved away, she said. And an uncle had died, leaving her a little money. Maizie was piously impressed. AnJ Sadie, winking at Ashtoreth, passed her arm affectionately *bout the older woman’s shoulders. "You’re a good egg, Mrs. Ashe,” she pronounced. And Maizie was innocently pleased at youth’s compliment. “A darn good egg—take it from me. Give the little rnothef a hand. Ash!” Ashtoreth was sailing from New York on a Friday. That gave her mother the week-end to clean up the apartment and pack their personal belongings. On Monday she would go to work for Dr. Henderson’s neurotic patient, Mrs. Adams Ashtcreth went to the Commodore in New York, because it was so near the Grand Central, and most convenient. Presently she concluded that u was rather a man’s hotel, and Wished that she had gone, instead, somewhere a little different. She telephoned Monty and he came to take her to dinner. She met him in the mezzanine, and they went down to the grill together. “They’ve the best lobster cocktails in the world here,” he announced. And he chatted, inconsequential--of lobsters and filet mignon and baked Alaska, until ashtoreth wax ahogeiher sure that he had ceased entirely to love her. 4—— (To Be Continued)

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

OUR BOARDING HOUSE

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WASHINGTON TUBBS II

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mu BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE

It was a changed Scrooge that emerged from his I meanly furnished rooms on Christmas Day. The old J|! I I man had entered those quarters Christmas Eve soured , Scrooge bought the on the world, hating everybody, wishing nobody a biggest prize turkey that merry Christmas. Now, transformed by the visions of he could find for his poor the night, he smiled at everyone he met. People turned clerk, Bob Cratchit. He to look at him—he seemed such a jolly old soul. ,t-M sent it to Cratchit’s home J \By Ht. Thro,.gti Sn.cUl P, rmistion cl H'. Pi.M.,1.,., .1 Th B-V "I 1 ■?}/ V,' 11 a Ca^-

OUT OUR WAY

By Ahern

'j REDOES AP?E MADE -NOT BORM. oYU*-* ntc o B , tT of> to Ci mi icuviet, i*e.

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■s) NOW POP,DON'T FORGET To\ /THE TREE ( ORDER A TREE AND GUT ALL \ ) TRIMMINGS \ i TXE TRIMI'TNGS AND FIV IT / AND IE ' MTh SriC uguTS.hA tUOKW- 1 E ALWAYS ATRAID THAT CANDLES WLL ) TR EE y SET THE TREE ON FIRE-' ./TRIMMtNW. 'WE RE LEAVING THE TU'RKEV f[ TURKEY-

* l Telling his surprised friend that a great many back He met one of the gen- payments were included in the donation, Scrooge then tlemen who had asked hurried to the home of his nephew, Fred. He staghim for a subscription to gered Fred and his wife and her sister and the others the poor and gave him so I who came to Fred’s Christmas party by being the<jolbig a donation the man liest of the lot. (To Be Continued) ywas amazed. aw J X ~ j

BK.ETCHBS BY BUSSEY. SYNOPSIS BY BRAIJCHER

DEC. 20, 1928

—By Williams

—By Martin

isv Blosser

By Crane*

By Umull

By Cowaff