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

smiled up at him ishly-though world of misery was weighing on her then turned her attention toward the stage.
 Yes. it was true Lucille was acting for the benefit of Jim. With a total disregard for the exigencies of her
 part" her gaze was necessarily fo- cused on his corner.
 He-on his side-wore an attitude of bored indifference.
 When at last the curtain fell Jim Dalton rose. as though he could stand the stupid show no longer. And then it was that Shirley noticed an attendant
 advance toward him, whisper some thing, and slip note into his hand
 "A message from Lucille, thought
 Shirley, miserably. He'll go behind the scenes and see her now"
 She could restrain her curiosity no longer, ibut-this time through levelled opera glasses, scrutinized him. She could now see the queer. annoyed ex- pression on his face as he read the con tents of the note.
 Then she saw him crush the paper in one hand. shake his head at the attend ant and depart.
 You're bored, Miss Shirley, aren't you? The showss not up to much David Burke bent over the young girl solicitously. Suppose we all move on
 to 8 place where we can dance-and eat? 1t would at any rate be livelier than this,"
 He turned and spoke word or two to his sister. The latter nodded in as sent.
 And pretty soon the party found 1t. self in one of those hilarious. noisy spots which have recently become so much the mode in London. { On the edge of a wide, highly pol ished floor whereon a multitude of couples dipped and pirouetted, David Burke found table to his liking and deposited his party there. The head waiter and his minions fluttered around him-for Burke was a man of means and ultra generous with gratuities. Pierre, prepare something very spe- cial for us. Meantime, we're going to dance" Burke rose to his feet and very solid and determined--piloted Miss Shirley out into the centre of the sway ing, jazzing throng. In one corner of the hall negro band immensely nervous and excited-was creating an extraordinary din, the im- plements of said band including every type of music maker from a tin-pan to baby's rattle.
 "A cheery little spot. eh. what?" said David Burke with jocularity. And every one having good time. too both young and oldf Shirley glanced round about her to verify the truth of this. Yes, certainly. it was true that young and old were merrily footing the light fantastic.
 Mothers and daughters wore the same decollete frocks. amazingly abbre- viated at both ends and for the most part backless.
 1 Burke and she were dancing rhythmi-
 cally in the fox-trot. She determined I to enjoy herself.
 ! The music came to an end on an ear i splitting crash, and Shirley paused fof breath.
 But not one second had elapsed be- | fore another negro band--tucked away l in another corner of the room, took up ! the melody and merrily carried on." l ''I see there's to be no cessation of hostilities," panted David Burke. "Oh.
 the energy of you young creatures" He beamed on Shirley. | She was looking very sweet and love- ly. He appreciated that fact. What an I adjunct she would be as a wife. Yes he must win her. He must leave ! no stone unturned to bring that happy | state of things to pass
 ] The place grew noisier as time went l by He began to feel shade fatigued 1 Of course, he wasn't going to show 1t i He must be as enthusiastic as a boy of | 20. That was one of the penalties of falling in love with a girl of Shirley's
 tender years. He must keep pace with
 her--in everything. | At an opportune moment Miss Shirley 1 slipped off by herself to have a breath 1 of air. These warm June nights were l just a little trying Trying, too, was
 David Burke's perpetual adulation. l She wanted to be alone-to think. Noiselessly she stole up wide star case, turned to the right, and was sud. 1 denly arrested by the sound of a voice l behind some palms. The deep, attrac-
 tive tones of it sent the blood suddenly
 to Shirley's head-then. receding, left
 her pale and trembling. Was itZcould it be-Jim Dalton's 1 voice.
 l She stood there, rooted to the spot l A movement behind the palms woke ] life in her She couldn't face meet 1 ing with him, for she cared too much
 She must escape. hide somewhere.
 She took a quick step behind a great I cool. sheltering bank of ferns. He 1 wouldn't see her there.
 Shirley" He was beside her in the
 scented darkness of the alcove. "Shir- 1 ley, little sweetheart is that really your"
 Before she could prevent him he had | caught her to his heart and kissed her passionately.
 For a single ecstatic moment Shirley
 gazed into Jim DaIton's eyes. l Then a recollection of her surround
 ings and the difficulties of this meet | ing came to her. The accusations against Jim-what on earth would Burke say if he saw the two of them l together?
 , He would say that Shirley had nc proper pride. He would even put things
 much more strongly. To his mind Dal-
 ton was married man. the property of ! another woman Shirley, then. was act ling shamefully in encouraging him. l But of course, there had been some
 queer mistake. A word or two with
 him would put it right. Thrice blessed then, this meeting.
 For moment her two hands rested on the young mans shoulders.
 Jim. it's all been a dreadful mix up. But"-she drew a deep breath 1 from the bottom of my heart, I'm sorry
 that didn't trust you more, l--I didn't give you any chance-to set things straight. I didn't trust you Will you can you--ever forgive me, Jim?" My dearestr There could be nc doubt of Jim's fervor Nor of his ca pacity in forgiving. He drew her closer to him. "I'll admit I was awfully taken I aback over those mysterious accusa tions down in Surrey. Can't make them out at all. But-Shirley-you do trusf me-"
 ] word of pleading lay in his fine
 dark eyes as he bent his head dowr
 toward the girl.
 She put an imploring hand on nj.
 arm.
 "Oh, Jim, don't misunderstood me. i. -I,va heen so miserable David Burke