The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-08

spoke again.
 There, l feel better. And now I ought to introduce myself properly to you" From her elaborate vanity bag she drew forth a card and handed it to Shirley. Read that"
 The young girl took the piece of { gpasteboard and scrutinized it eagerly. It bore the words: Mile. Lucille Derange. variety artist" You guessed I was on the stage?" resumed the other, leaning back luxu- riously on the rustic bench and eyeing Shirley in an interested fashion. Its a ghastly life if you haven't any. par- ticular talent. or money, or friends at the back of you"
 Then, why-why did you choose the prefession?" Shirley put the question timidlys as though fearful of the an- swer.
 ''Because--after Jim Dalton deserted me, out in South Africa three years ago I'd got to earn some kind of living --or starve."
 "Did--did you say-South Africa?'' stammered Shirley. Only two days ago Jim Dalton had been telling her of that land of glorious sunlight and of sweeping veldt, expatiating on its beauties and it's El Dorado qualities Lucille Derange nodded, and her handsome, world-weary eyes narrowed as she looked searchingly at Shirley.
 Hes been telling you about it, has he? We'll. that's like his nervei" She gave cynical little laugh. But, of course, he omitted such trifles as our romantic wooing, romantic honeymoon and highly unromantic sequel when tiring suddenly of me as he does of everything-he abandoned me in a lit- tie one-horse town way back on the | veldt---to starvew
 There's some mistake" said Shir- ley, bravely, determined to crush the dreadful feeling of anxiety and sus- pense. The Jim Dalton that 1 know is kind and-and eonsiderate--and a gentleman. He isn't like that--he''---
 Its plain you don't know a single thing about him." cut in Lucille De- range. But let me tell you he's a past master at the gentle art of cam ouflage. Oh, you aren't the first girl ' that he's hoodwinked"--the beauti- | fully modulated tones rose to a shrilier. less attractive key"-and you won't be the last, either-in world of gullible womenp'
 i Shirley put an imperceptible fraction of space between herself and the 1 speaker. A little -scornful smile how | cred about her pretty lips. She did not speak. Yet her distaste was evident. Ignoring it, Lucille continued: Out in South Africa he was every thing-to everybody. Transport rider chiefly-farm hand, digger in the l mines. driver of bullock teams. store keeper; oh, and professional gambler {! But he made good at nothing He was rolling stone. bred in the bone. a down-and outer! Heaven knows what l saw in him, except--oh, his good i looks and his charmi" | She cleared her throat. The very first time he looked at me with those fine dark eyes of his I knew my hour had struck. And that curly dark head of his, too-there was some thing so boyish and so appealing about i him.
 1 An icy hand of fear gripped Shirley's 1 heart Wasn't this woman echoing her I (Shirley's) own opinions2 Fine dark I eyes" and ''curly dark hair'-yes-and Jim Daltons "boyishness" was his pe- 1 culiar charm.
 | Lucille was digging deep now into the jumbled mysteries of her hand bag.
 "Oh, here it is!'' | Envelope in hand, she rose to her 1 feet. She crossed to Shirley's side.
 Maybe this'll convince you" she
 said simply. My marriage certifi- l cate"
 She dropped the document in Shirley's 1 lap.
 You open it--I can'tm There was a piteous appeal in Shirley's eyes-a trapped look. which went straight to Lucile's heart.
 l With firm, sure fingers Lucille drew l forth a parchment paper from it's cover, smoothed it out on Shirleys lap. The 1 last rays of the setting sun shed a | pinkish glow upon the document. | Lucille's white finger traced little path along the lines while she read. | It was all quite clear and evident. I Four years ago one James Dalton, bachelor, aged 20. had married Lucy Smith. spinster, "A, in small town near l Salisbury
 Smiths my real name. I changed Lucy to Lucille and added on De- range-for stage purposes. But I've | got lots of proof my name was Lucy 1 Smith,"
 I Lucy dived once again into her un- tidy handbag
 There are some snapshots taken of Jim four years ago. Seeing's believing, ! you know--so take a good, square 1 lookv'
 1 She laid three rather faded pictures | on Shirley's knee.
 1 In the first of them a boldly hand some girl in neiaborateiy trimmed white frock was smiling straight into the camera. Her prettiness was rather 1 blatant. Beside her. in an attitude of exaggerated devotion, stood a tall dark-eyed slim young man in suit of flannels. Shirley could see at once 1 that it was Jim,
 The second picture was less clear !; But Shirley noticed that it was the same young man on horseback. group l'of Kaffirs standing in the background :. The third was Jim's profile. Shirley would have recognized it anywhere in | it's clean-cut severity.
 She dropped the pictures in her lap, and hid her pretty face in both hands 7, with pathetic gesture that touched
 Lucille's heart.
 There. there Don't you worry about him. He isn't worth it."
 Shirley rose to her feet staring wildly at the other
 He's yours-I--I don't want him any longer. Yes believe everything you say. Good-by. No--don't try to stor i mel just want to be alone. I--rll get
 over it all right in time. Good-by."
 4 sAFE HAVEN
 Lucille was left alone, as the dazed girl, hardly knowing what she did, rose
 and fled down the lane, away from the
 painful scene.
 A feeling of immense humiliation, of outraged pride. mingled with her pain and disappointment. What credulous little fool Jim Dalton must have thought heri
 She-Shirley-had been ridiculouslJ