The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-04-02
10 YES GAMBLE
By MAY CHRISTIE

1 After her unpleasant experience with tEe Chinaman on Brighton cliffs, that young damsel had returned to her hotel and had found Jims letter waiting for her.
 My dearest Shirley" she read bliss fully, I've decided that my business in London must not keep me away from you longer than a few hours at the mostl Therefore, please expect m 9 back on the evening that this reaches you. Am afraid I may be rather late but look for me on the hotel veranda toward 10 o'clock. And. Shirley, there isn't any reason why we should postpone our wedding. is there? You know how much care for you-and how tremendously want youl Just to be near you--to have the right to look after you and take care of you-thats all want-and yet 1t seems too wonderful to be true. But it's coming true. dear--and very soon if I've got any say in the matter. And so l want to tell you that I'm purchasing a special license up in town, sc We can fix things up immediately, Wouldn't you like to come away with me on a yachting honeymoon? Or a motor trip up through the English lakes?
 This letters awfully incoherent, Shirley. But when one is very much in love one can't think out the wonderful, sort of phrases that one reads in booksl know you'll understand and remem : Ter always that l love you!-Jim." Shirley reread this letter many times II was the first that she had ever had from Jim, except for last nights note. It made her very happy
 Burke and Lucille came back to the hotel in time for lunch. tsChirlax lov ueir r1 hu didn't you follow us?" cried Lucille really ingly.
 "Oh. but I didi" persisted Shirley. T walked for quite a mile along the cliffs. But I got rather fright, be- cause of a queer looking Chinaman who follwed me. He came up and asked me about Jim. and wanted to know Jims town addressl Wasn't it queer?"
 For a moment Burke's glance met Lucille's. Shirley ran upstairs with her precious letter, and-he drew Lu- cille aside.
 I'm little disquieted over shirley's information" he said, anxiously. I'm afraid this is case of mistaken identi- ty again! Jim Dalton has been taken for your late husband-didn't your husband have some dealings with rather a low class of Chinese?"
 Lucille looked worried.
 He got into trouble in a Chinese opium den, out Limehouse way The police raided the place and he at tackled constable and almost killed klm. believe the man got better. My husband got away"
 "But-do you think the Chinese themselves had any particular grudge against your husband?" persisted Burke.
 Lucille drew her brows thoughtfully together.
 ''while he was i'll in hospital he gave instructions to the sister and the nurse that no Chinaman was to be allowed tc see him. Sometimes I feared he'd done some foreigner an injury. He said that the sight of yellow face made him feel sick-but I thought there was something more in his an tipathy than quite met the eye.'
 I'm afraid so," commented Burke; land don't forget that a Chinaman is the most dangerous enemy in the worldw
 And you think that poor young Dal- ton has been mistaken for my huS- band?" queried Lucille breathlessly.
 q should say it's more than likely.
 But isn't there anything that we can do?" asked Lucille rather wildly. If anything happened to Jim Dalton 1t would kill the child. Couldn't you run up to town and warn him?'
 'I could go along to his hotel and make inquiries. The porter would be able to tell me if Chinaman had called or not Maybe he left word as to his London movements, too
 A taxi passed below the veranda, and he hailed it.
 "I ought to be back in about 10 min utes-don't wait lunch for mel" He drove off.
 Lucille and Shirley partook of lunch together. Shirley semed so cheerful that Lucille didn't confide her fears to her.
 live got such nice letter here from Jim" said the young girl. smiling. Tt arrived by the second post today"
 ''When is he coming back?'
 'He says tonight about 10 o'clock he asks me to be out on the veranda waiting for him.
 You must wrap up well, them" was I.ucE5e's only comment. She felt dis cuieted in her mind That her late hus- bands sins were many she well knew.