The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-07-29
Love Affairs of a Lonely Woman
By MARY HAu

, genuine fright made her almost wish to throw herself from the window anything to escape from this horrid new complication of affairs for which she was in no way to blame. But that spark of fighting spirit, the will to conquer all odds. which had fired her soul during the last few min utes of lf-communication had not been entirely extinguished. The happiness and the success of her career were as much at stake just now as at any time in her life, she realized. and bravely she determined to face the issue.
 Her face white and her hands cold and tremulous, she hurried down the stairs and arrived on the lower floor, just in time to see Billy Burns lurch- ing heavily against the wall, with up- raised hand, ready to strike the fat landlady. In the rear of the hallway. crowded about the doorway like so many spec tators of some entertainment, and not raising a voice or a hand to aid the woman, stood the boarders, their eyes wide with astanishment.
 Jane Brown ran forward and caught the arm of Burns as it was descending upon the head of the screaming Mrs. Selden. His blow diverted, Burns swung sullenly about toward the girl, whose dark eyes flashed indignantly.
 'Oh, you come down, did you sweet ie?" he snarled. q though I'd get you down. Billy Burns always gets what he wants in this world.
 For an instant, the brief fraction of a second, although it seemed many minutes, Jane felt as though her re- pulsion for the man was choking her. Then the words came:
 . How dare you insult me SO? How dare you attack this lady who had done you no harm?" she demanded. '1f you stay in this house another minute shall call policeman and prefer charg- es of assault against you!'
 Burns looked at her, surprised at the bitterness and sharpness of her tone. This was quite unlike the timid, frish- tened girl as he had seen her on that other night. He studied her shrewdly in his semi-intoxicated way and at tempted to brazen it out.
 That's all right dearie. Don't get saucy now. l just come to take you dollars or so. You know, I've got plenty of money so don't make scene. It will look bad for you"
 Janes eyes snapped, however. and she retorted curtly:
 You've made all the scene neces- sary. You've tried to disgrace me here, presuming on the fact that I never
  liday. am not afraid of a drunken bully, no matter how much money he has. And if you are not out of this door, to stay out forever, in another minute. I'm going to see what New York policeman can do with his night stick"
 He hesitated, while Mrs. Selden look ed in surprise at her rescurer. The sudden interruption and Jane's atti- tude were altogether at odds with what she believed, to be the state of affairs between the man and the girl. Jane whirled about on her feet to look contemptuously at the gawking board CTS huddled in the doorway.
 If there were a man among you, in- stead of just cowardly creatures who wear mems clothes and gossip like old women, you would have come to Mrs. Selden's help. You are a disgusting pack of mongels As for me, I am go- ing to protect myself right now"
 With the words she suddenly flung open the street door and started down the steps. She locke to right and left, hoping to see a blue uniform near.
 Burns realizing that Jane was in deadly earnest now awakened to his own prediciment and followed her, his her arm but Jane ierked away from him as though the touch burned her.
 You horrid beast don't defile me with your hand!' she cried. "If you know what is good for you. get into your automobile and drive as fast as you can"
 "But, I didn't mean to get you sore, Miss Brown" he pleaded now. eager to save himself from trouble, and sobbered personal danger. Don't call a police man. I just wanted to see you and