The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-23
10 YES GAMBLE
By MAY CHRISTIE

that strange lkenessY He must be some blood-relation Shirley hoped 1t wasn't
 too close3 of Jim's. The black sheep
 the family, possibly, sent abroad
 She could see now, clearly, how Lu-
 cille must have discovered the mistake some time ago, Why, then, had she not told shirley
 Shirley's heart, however, vas con
 siderably lightened as She boarded a bus
 for Piccadilly
 Things would be cleared up soon. And yet-and yet. :.
 She had treated poor Jim Dalton very badlys Her folly had eliminated in this absurd engagement with David Burke, while all the time she had been in love with Jim' I've been a fool-all kinds of fool -and a miserable dupe, she told her self angerly but if Jimll only forgive me. then I'll make it all up to him*'
 But-would Jim ever forgive herr" And, granting that he did, would
 David Burke release her from the en-
 gagement with himself? He, too. had been taken in by the | likeness between Jim and this impos- sihle derelict. He, too. had been
 msled
 He had played the part of kind friend towards her. | Oh. what was she to do? If Burke had only given her sol-s Legitimate cause for the sudden break ing off of the engagement Unfortunately he hadn'tl She was back at Portman square at 4 o'clock. determined to see Burke and to put the whole case clearly before him. Surely he would release her now he knew that Jim was straight? Lu- ellie would come at 3 o'clock to cor roborate her story. But David Burke was not at home. Shirley had to possess her soul in pa- tieree till Lucille arrived. The latter was shown into the drawing
 room. where Shirley sat alone, expec- tant.
 The young girl rushed at Lucille ex- citedly. She poured out confused jum- ble of recent events chief of which was the discovery that Lucille's husband wasn't her-Shirley slim at all, but a kind of shabby counterfeit. And oh, Lucille, although I'm sorry for you, I've got to be terribly glad for myself1 Shirley's pretty face Was wreathed in smiles 'I was always sure
 there was some kind of queer mistake,
 you know!n she added naively. Lucille didn't speak. A lump had come into her throat
 Lucille, how long have you known that ny-my Jim-wasn't your husband after all?" euered Shirley. Before I went down into Surrey" said Lucille solemnly The time had come for explanations.
 But why on earth didn't you tell me then?'
 MT. Burke didn't want you to be
 tolde'
 What Shirley looked incredulous
 Lucille nodded She felt she was do- ing right in disillusioning Shirley. She
 told herself-with an emphasis not en- tire1y devoid of self-interest-thac eais marriage between Burke and Miss Shir- ley never could turn out success. "Mr Burke asked me specially not to tell you that your MT Dalton and my lhusband' -she paused a little scornfully on the word-"were two different per sons.
 Lucille. did he know the truth-about Jinl--before I got engaged to him-to MT. Burke. I mean?'' Shirley was inco- herent in her wrath:
 "Yes, Mir Burke knew-I told him 1 the very day that he had the row in kensington Gardens with your MT. Dalton-they nearly had a fight, if 1 you'll remember" 1 The door opened and Burke himsel i walked in. He looked first at Lucille
 then at Shirley. and there was queer 1 mixture of emotions on his face But Shirley stepped up to him iwrenched the engagement ring from
 her finger, and almost flung 1t at him l With flushed cheeks and head heio high. she said. clearly. distinctly: i "Take your ring back asain--and please send notice to tomorrow
 papers that the marriage won't take I place.