The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-26

" nat s tHe AoureSs, SHlrley AyHOSt e-to driver
 Shirley couldn't possibly refuse. And they soon were rattling towards the river M
 Now. tell me all about your work. dear!' Mrs Arnold had evidently deter mined to be bright and genial But Shir- ley guessed the geniality was assumed. Behind it lay the old determination to marry Shirley to her brother.
 'sOh I'm getting on all right" re- spcnded Shirley deprecatingly.
 Mrs. Arnold flung her piercing glance.
 I've read one or two of your short stores in the weekly magazines. Very praiseworthy. my dear'' This very pa ronizingly.
 Ensued pause. Shirley decided not to break it.
 T can't see what pretty young girl like you wants to work for!" went on the lady, curiosity again uppermost. ''It does seem oddr'
 'why-odd?" Shirley raised interroga- tive brows. Although she knew full well the answer that was coming
 Well, it seems funny that you'd want
 to work when you could get a man to do it for you.'
 Shirley stifrened
 T despise that type of woman-and so would any worthwhile manr' Mrs. Arnold suppressed a tendency to bristle. She thoroughly disapproved of Shirley in this modern mood. The happiest marriages" she be gan.
 I've decided not to marry." cut in Shirley snappily. She hated dissertations of this kind. q refuse to be a parasite I'm happier on my own'!'
 I'm sorry to hear it. for your own sake, Shirley" rejoined the candid lady by her side. You'll wake up when it's just too late. and be immensely sorry that you've thrown away your chancesi"
 How d'ycu mean-'when it's just too lste'?' Shirley couldn't help inquiring. though immediately she'd put the ques- tion she was angry with herself for be- ing drawn
 sI mean,' said Mrs. Arnold tranquilly. that yours is the type of prettiness that shines ought to be your motto, Shirley I'm surprised that girl as intelligent as you are doesn't realize it" Shirley thought this homily both vulgar and i'll timed But of course she couldn't say so. The taxi rattled on towards Chelsea.
 You make the mistake of being in discreet, too" continued the lady, playfully admonishing, that day I met you up the river'-here she rolled her eyes ramatically-@shal I ever forget the picture that you and that young man made. like two drowned rats.
 That was unfortunate-but scarcely indiscreet!" interpolated Shirley. snap girl as though the lady's claws were ] figuratively unsheathed. Your nerves are all on edge. That's the Bohemian life you're leading, dear. | The Gaiety, the insincerity of 1t all! Her eyes held a mixture of reproach and patronage that was highly irri- | tating to a girl of Shirley's caliber | Shirley, aren't you alarmed about your future?"
 sel, perkily. Sufficient unto the day.
 "A true Bohemian-as l feared" The | lady sighed; and then she added. rather spitefully, You've lost David, too" 1 A hearty Heaven be praisedl" trem- bled for moment on Miss Shirley. 1 lips, but she strangled it at birth. Sht | wasn't going to stoop to Mrs. Arnold: mode of converse ton. That good lady went on mournfully l "David's got entangled with a de I signing widow. And Wincham's ringing l from end to end with gossip. She's down there now-liying in a cottage
 on the. estate. You should just heal the tenants talk! went down the
 moment that a rumor reached me 1 you know how ready I always amor
 David's behalf"
 1 ITO ready-too officiousw thought
 Miss Shirley, trying to squash a little smile
 1 She's an actress. too-a regular si.
 rem went on Mrs. Arnold. It was
 clear from her resentful tone that she blamed Shirley for this situation
 "A bold adventures, without a penny | to her name, and as designing as they
 make 'em."
 No doubt MT. Burke can take care of himself. You needn't worry" re- marked Shirley blandly. She was won, 1 dering just how much of this was true
 Anyhow she added wickedly, "you | do want him to marry. don't you?" 1 Yes; woman of his own position,
 snapped Mrs. Arnold. and not chorus l lady with a shady past Who is she?" Shirley assumed an air of semi bored interest.
 Oh, Lucille de Something -or-Other, ! That's her nom- de-guerrei But she probably comes from Whitechapel! Her
 husband was an awful creature-died
 through taking drugs, or drink, or 1 somethingi"
 l Have you seen her" Shirley asked Mrs. Arnold nodded, all a-bristle l T remonstrated with her-she was very brazen. Referred me to David. Re- fused even to discuss him. So unappre- ciative, especially when I'd run all the way down to Surrey on purpose to bring her to reason"
 | Shirley smiled. She could visualize the dramatic scene in which the honors had evidently fallen to Lucille ! 'Of course. can see Ter point of view! David would be a godsend to a woman'- went on Mrs. Arnold jerkily. She was annoyed at Shirleys calmness. She had hoped her news would rouse her to some show of jealousy
 l The taxi drew up at the studio. Mrs Arnold followed Shirley up the stairs The latter flung open the door of her