The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-18

x . = = :. = NlMMMIL to serve as the background of tXYWM& tragedy could hardly have been con kWt#8tWE ceived. bright mid-morning sun
 rE \ splashed down upon the simmer ~TNN ing asphalt of the fashionable ave- NftNN nue. thickly dotted with a stream
 VkN of richly appearing vehicles. The
 past three four days had been
 dismally threatening, and the lure o1 the eheery morning had appealed to hundreds of shoppers of the Smart Set.
 Mary Burnett leaned back in the cushions of her taxicab, and drew long breath of lux urious enjoyment as her glance wandered back from the before her to the face of her chum, Mona Hartley, by her side.
 Isn't it just-just heavenly?" she cried. There is no more beautiful scene in the world to me than Fifth Avenue spring morning!"
 Mona laughed
 That is because we happen to have fairly good purse, my dearl If you didn't have money in your pocket, fancy you will find Fifth Avenue just the reverse of beautiful" ]"
 You are growing cynical" retorted Mary. And just to prove to you that the store windows have no attraction for me, I'll wait in the motor while you do your shopping, and spend your money to your hearts desirel How is that?"
 But that is just what I'm not going to do" returned Mona, more thoughtfully Do you know, dear, that am coming to take work and more seriously? At first, think we were both bit selfish in belief that because men had tried to wrong our sex we had a right to make them pay the debt in any way possible. And then when saw just how much we could do, and how easy it was for woman with youth and a fair share of good looks to snare the aver age masculine pursuer, and when we made up minds to use these weapons for the good of others as well as own, we both had a new viewpoint. And 1t was good for us not to mention the sundry services were able to do for those more unfortunate than ourselves. But lately have thought we could do more, and go even farther. Why, we can make of ourselves soldiers for the common good We can be modern Joan of Arcs"
 Mona stopped with bright flush on her cheeks, and quite out of breath from her un- usually long and vivacious speech. Mary surveyed her wonderingly. and then caught her hand.
 That Is simply splendid Why, I am proud of youl And, of course, we shall do just as you say. You are making me crazy to start. When are we going to begin, and howl"
 Mona smiled at the others enthusiasm.
 We will have to wait for circumstances to give us the cue, as we have always done I don't think we shall have long to wait"
 The girl smoothed back her hair, and straight ened her hat as the motor came to whirlwind pause before the sober front of the exclusive Farnams Quitting Stores-one of those great establishments of Fifth Avenue which never by any chance, display to the curious public any thing so vulgar as a price tag behind their mas slve plate-glass windows. Mona waved her hand to Mary, and, crossing the walk, was ushered by lveried attendant through a richly curtained entrance.
 Mary prepared for an indefinite wait and settling herself more comfortably on the seat, resumed her study of the passing throng on the walk. In the back of her mind were still run ming the impetuous words of Mona, and the girls face clouded thoughtfuy as she scanned the new possibilities which they opened up And then quite suddenly she was brought sharply upright, and found herself bending forward through the door of the motor watching drama on the walk Before her. Into the cheery panorama of Fifth Avenue, suggestion of incongruous tragedy had thrust itself.
 As Mary sat waiting outside a fashionably dressed young man, with sensual, rather super cilous face, who ambling idly down the walk, had been brought to a sudden check by hon nhvy Nf whose gaunt face bore striking evidence of either great privation great mental shock. The youth apparently had been trailing the other, perhaps trying to brace his shattered nerves to the point of an interview. Now, with his fingers gripping an arm of the dandy before him, he stood confronting him like some haggard Nemesis.
 Please, MT. Laidlaw, listen to me! have been following you for hour! I knew you wouldn't at your office, and have simply rot to speak to you! I"
 The young man addressed as Laidlaw, strug- g1ed angrily, and one of those crowds, which in New York to spring up like magic began to surround the pair. Mary found her view for the moment blocked, but over the heads of the curious onlookers she could hear the frenzied voice of the shabby youth raised in shrill appeal and then the sound of violent struggle. Finally an officer, attracted by the fight on the walk came showing through, with fine disregard of the anatomy of those who blocked his path. The o1ncer bounced upon the figure of the young man.
 Mary divined from the sudden movement of Che spectators that the policeman had taken the shabby youth into custody, and felt swift wave of pity sweep through her. And then, as the crowd parted, she with surprise that the supercilious young man bidding the officer to release his prisoner. As the officer complied, and ths young fellow started off, Mary raised her voice. as she caught the wandering glance of the Addressed young man, who caused the commotion.
 Wont you please come here moment?" she asked smiling down at him.
 The other hesitated, flushing awkwardly.
 Perhaps I can help you," Mary continued persuasively "that is, if you care to tell your story to stranger
 The youth shuffled to the edge of the motor, and fumbled at his hat. On closer view Mary could see that his face worn to an un- natural thinness and paor, and that in his eyes the glint of either fever or desperation, or both.
 "There-there isn't much to tell' he began, stammering. "It is just another case of the Loan Sharks Dick Laidlaw-he the man I tried to talk to-and his father have what they call the Peoples Loan Agency And-and when my mother died, just after lost my job, and had her funeral expenses to pay, had to go to them to borrow thefmoney. I couldn't pay them when l couldn't find work, and they took all little furniture, and threw me into the street. tried to explain that it wasn't fair, that wasn't trying to cheat them, that would pay as could, but whenever I went to their offce they wouldn't And so, had to wait until I could meet of them the street, and this Mas my first chance. I guess had my trouble