The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-11

lOuOAN+
 And Shirlcy-immensely happy and light-hearted once again--stole from her hiding place behind the bank of flowers. and soon rejoined her friends,
 LUCILLE REFLECTS.
 Tn the stuffy bedroom of her little fiat in Soho lay Lucille, twisting, yawn- ing and turning in preliminary to that hateful moment known as waking up."
 It was nearly 12 o'clock-high noon. For Lucille did not believe In rising till the day was thoroughly aired.
 She raised herself on one elbow and called out: "IIi, there, Mrs. Pitts!"
 Prolonged silence.
 "Confound the woman" said Lucille. T s'pose she's In the kitchenette, steal ing supplies for her numerous progeny at home. robbing me Of tea and sugar and other little items Or else she's busy with her beer canl Confound these London chars"
 Were you calling. miss" A redeyed, somewhat alcoholic visage was thrust around the corner of the door
 q wasl often-and loudly- tartiy remarked Lucille. Bring me cup of tea, Mrs Pitts. And make 1t strong I've got a fiendish headache coming onl"
 She leant back on her pillows, eye ing the little flat distastefully. In the strong light of day it wore rather garish tawdry look. Through the crack of the open door she could glimpse her tiny sitting room The same disillusioning tawdri- ness reigned there. It bore a spurious , prettiness by night with it's bamboo suite" and faded prints of old Japan. It's scrolls and paper lanterns. 1 But awful in the daytime!" quoth Lucille the candid. Yes-it was true-she had retro. gressed in the last few years. 1 Lost heart, and lost my grip on things no wonder!" Her weary eyes 1 held a gleam of resenting in them. l And to think that he'-the cause of | all I've come through-should have the 1 darned insoIence and nerTe~--Lucilie was not particular in her choice of Eng fish when she was aIone-"the insolence to sit in the stalls last night and listen to my show, and then refuse to sec mel"
 | She tossed her hot head wearily on 1 the pillows.
 | why was I ever such fool as to marry him." Over and over she re- | peated the age-worn question. Her thoughts flew back to that short l lived, ecstatic honeymoon upon the veldt. It held so many moments" like oases in the arid desert of her life. Full moon-grape harvest-and the scent of roses and gardenias. l Heavens, what a glorious lover he l had been!
 | Tears sprang to Lucille's fine eyes | What torturing, poignant thing was memory!
 , She had loved him very truly--and love dies hard!--enduring even through disillusionment and when all respect is gone.
 But the little finger of a man like David Burke is worth the whole oi Daltonls said Lucille with sudden | fierceness.
 He had been very kind to her on the had David Burke. 1 And remember that you always have a friend in mel" he had told her, look ing her straight in the eyes in the di' rect simple way that was his specia 1 charm.
 1 There was sudden knocking on thu front door of the little flat, followed by the heavy sound of Mrs Pitts large feet en route to open it. Lucille sprang out of bed and shu' l her bedroom door
 Came the tones of masculine voice tentative, inquiring.
 Then
 "A gentleman to see you, miss" Mrs Pitts, immensely curious, thrust caro into the room
 The blood rushed suddenly to Lu cille's head. Could 1t possibly be-hei husband?
 Then. glancing at the card. she saw lthe name it bore was: "Mr. Davit Burke"
 .'reu him to wait-rll be ready ir five minutes"
 She scrambled through hasty toilet She wanted to look nice. Yes, and lady like,
 As she swept into tho tiny sitting room Lucille looked pale and interest ing. At any rate. both of these adjec- tivcs sprang to Dayid's mind. He ad' mired and liked Lucille.
 I was wondering" he began. little awkwardly, eff you would dine with me tonight? I know it's rather unconyen- tional coming here like this--on ouI very brief acauaintance"- Not in the least" responded Lucille graciously She felt immensely flat tered. "To tell the truth. was feeling awfully blue-and nothing would give me greater pleasure" l David was very human. And after
  vances this was very soothing.
 q saw you at the show last night l and only wished I could change places 1 with Miss Marsh and sit in that nice cool box and have a chat with you proceeded Lucille coyly. She understood the gentle art of flattery if Shirley didn't
 And David smiled well pleased. | There are one or two things I want to talk to you about. We'll have tc make it early, so that you can get tc the theatre in lots of time" Lucille pouted rather cleverly. Ugh! how I hate the stage. If only could get away from 1t forever."
 Her handsome eyes held decided challenge in their depths as she me- Burke's gaze. That challenge stirred him oddly. Before he had known anc 1 loved Miss Shirley Marsh. Lucille's was the type of beauty that he most ad- mired. Fine, generous, commanding even trifle obvious.
 For David wasn't subtle.
 There was something maternal in hei beauty-and her manner. What a mag | nificent mother she would make.
 Yes, life had dealt her some hart blows.
 .We-well see what, we can do--
 about getting you some new position
 He broke off recollecting that thi:
 woman was already married. and tha
 perhaps he'd better curb his interest. if And, anyhow. of course he was in,loy'
 with Shirley Marsh. l "Tonight at s:S0, at the Cafe del Ri cardo-will that do?" he said abruptly
 Why yes, I'd love to comet" Lucille smiled gayly. And I'll wear my glad dest ragsv