The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-07-09

No. 8.
 ''Oh, can't I please do something for
 you?" asked Jane, kindly. She placed
 an arm about the other woman's shoul-
 ders, supporting her, as she rose to her feet with pallid determination.
 Thank you. No, I'm all right, thank
 you,' came the forced reply, in we'll
 bred tones.
 Jane Brown could tell that the other woman was making tremendous fight against her weakness, but something in her manner caused Jane to withdraw her
 arm and step back.
 T will get along very well, thank you." said the woman in black, now with more
 strength, and turning toward the throng- ing sidewalk
 She gave no more heed to Jane, but walked rapidly away. There was curi- ous look on the haggard face, which prompted Jane to follow her once more. It was an indefinable expression of des- peration, which sent an apprehensive thrill through the girl
 Down Broadway the woman turned, walking faster and faster as though with some purpose growing stronger and stronger, driving her with an inward
 force which increased with each step. Jane did not know where she was go- ing, but determined now that womanly hand was needed, or soon would be, she deftly dodged through the crowds, keep ing within 40 or 50 feet of the fleeting black dress.
 The woman sped across the congested side streets, needless of the menacing motor and truck traffic, barely escaping the crushing wheels more than once. .-lr, -l>- tOval park. which Jane later learned was known as the Battery. Ahead of her the girl saw glimpses, through the trees, of the river, the same broad stream which she had observed from the lofty floor of the skyscraper.
 The woman in black now quickened her pace, speeding directly toward a low chain balustrade by the waters edge. At last Jane understood. Her heart seemed to stand still as the horrid truth flashed on her The unfortunate woman planned Iself-destruction and by the time she had reached the edge of the harbor wall. Jane tried to scream, but her voice froze in her throat
 Summoning all her sertngth, the girl ran frantically forward, just as the woman began to topple toward it. The forced strength was already waning, but the white face showed that her mad de- termination was not whit weakened. Just as she started to chamber over the swinging chain, suspended between the balustrade posts, Jane, with a super human effort. reached her side, catching her by the arm.
 "Oh, you are mad, mad!" exclaimed the girl. You must not do this!'' A piteous pair of gray eyes were turned upon her. and with a ltw moan the other sank unconscious to the Tagging. A number of men walking along the pave n fn Qid pd a nj kna down, her hands trembling with excite ment, as she held the limp shoulders. Huh! Another one jest trying to com
 init suicide" grunted one phlegmatic in- dividual, as he turned away. The crowd became larger, but none seemed anxious to give the girl any assis- tance, until. barely few seconds later. a broad shouldered form swung through l the crowd, and Jane looked up to the kindly, anxious face of a big Irish po- liceman bending over her.
 Run over to that ferry house and bring some water" commanded the bluecoat, and one 1.-the Nyouth obeyed him. He
 caught the unconscious form of the wonn-
 an in his arr and bore her gently to | a nearby bench. Soon his experienced methods brought faint flutter to the closed eyes. and Jane thanked Provi- dence that she had been in time. | In some mysterious way an ambulance | had been summoned, and the changing of Tits bell stopped within a few feet of them, as a white-uniformed surgeon
 forced his way through the steadily grow I ing crowd of morbidly curious. 'sUmph" he grunted. Bad heart, l nerves. or worse.
 l The policeman had driven the crowd back few feet by this time. and under
 the physicians ministrations the woman I in black had returned to cogeciousness sitting weakly up on the bench. | For the first time Jane observed the magnificent diamond lavalier upon her neck, and through the gloves which | were now clenched tightly she saw the
 outlines of several jewelled rings.
 "Oh. what has happened?" began the
 strange woman Then looking about her