The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-06-22

No IS.
 Jane looked helplessy at the landlady, as she stood guard on the stairway of the dingy boarding house. Her nerves, overwrought by the strange adventures of the evening. finally snapped, and a sob burst from her trembling lips.
 That's right" snarled Mrs. Selden. "Snivel away, my pretty Miss Innocence. But your sniveiling does you no good herev
 Dick Hollaway gave an angry snort, and his eyes sparkled behind his horn-rimmed glasses.
 You're pretty wise, old woman," he rasped indignantly, but you are not as smart as you think yourself. This young lady paid for her room and board in ad- vance, and she has done nothing to de- serve these insults l know a little about the law in these matters, and I know you just a little bit too well.'' What do you mean?" snapped the woman.
 T mean just this," continued the writ 1 CT, turning toward Jane Brown. You go right upstairs to your room, Miss Brown or else make Mrs. Selden refund every penny that is due the rest of I your week for room and board. If she annoys you tonight I'll go get police man and show her some tricks!" The landlady glared at him, but her hard glance was not nearly as biting as that or the tall young man. And. let me tell you further, Mrs. Sel- den, that as I'm paid up until tomor- | row, I'm going to leave and get bet | ter, cleaner, quieter boarding house. I've stood enough of your talk. l know about | half a dozen others of your boarders | who don't like you. nor the food you serve, and I won't take much argument for me to get them to leave with me. Good night, Miss Brown; don't mind the old scarecrow. If she gives you any trouble I'll just show her that l can talk as well as write, and it will cost her a pretty penny. Good night! Run along up- stairs"
 l Mrs Selden's manner changed almost { ludicrously. The thought of losing board | CTS in what was the beginning of the slack season. was shrewd weapon and l Holladay knew it She turned toward
 Jane, almost ingratiatingly. as her voice ] softened.
 Now, Miss Brown she began, q don't want no trouble. It is a bit late | and I'm so careful about my house tha | I had to speak a bit harsh, maybe. But you run upstairs, dear1e, and we Il forge l it this time
 1 She missed the wink which Holladay l shot at Jane, as the girl turned and fle( up the stairway without another word eX- | cept an almost inaudib1e good night | to her escort
 1 HOlladay, with ms HanuS ueep III HE pockets. still glared at the altered Mrs Selden.
 You're a poor judge of character, Mrs , Selden. Maybe that's why you run z shoddy boarding house, after 20 years in the business, instead of big hote as you might be doing if you had brains, he said curtly. Well, you take my ad vice and show that young woman a littl kindness or you'll have the "To Let
 sign out in front of the house."
 He turned on his heel toward the door
 Where are you going, Mir Holladay? 7
 demanded the landlady anxiously.
 I'm going down to the studio or
 man friend and stay all night. l don care to sleep here any more, and vii move out tomorrow he replied. "Bu
 don't forget what I told you about little human treatment of a young gir
 who is a stranger in the city and IS fine a little lady as l ever met | He slammed the door after him, as tn landlady's eyes protruded in astonishmen
 and her flabby cheeks reddened in grow
 ing anger, as she realized the intensit! of the threat
 'Why, that miserable scribblerv' sh'