The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-10
LOVE,SGAMBLE.
By MAY CHRISTIE

arranged a theatre party for me. n visiting his sister. Do come and meet them, if you want to- 1-l want te stand by you in front of them all I'm proud of your
 In face of such beseeching eloquence Jim had to smile.
 But he had no desire to meet with Burke again. Impertinent, interfering cadl
 Don't let me keep you, Shirley"
 "Oh, Jim-don't you want toto -
 '.Yes. dear? What is it2' An amused twinkle shone in Jim's dark eyes. Shir' ley was not entirely baffling.
 Don't you want to see me again?' said shirley jerkily, swallowing her pride Was Jim purposely obtuse?
 twill you be in town tomorrow
 'sYes-and free about 4 o'clock
 Then let's have tea together
 Approaching footsteps sounded on the stairs.
 '.They're looking for me-" whispered Shirley, desperately. Jim, meet me to- morrow at that nice tea place under the trees in Kensington Gardens. You know just beyond Hyde park. We've can talk things over quietly there without any fear of interruption.'
 Very well, sweetheart" Jim caught her in his arms and kissed her very fondly.
 And Shrley-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 flat in Soho lay Lucille, twisting, yawn- 1fr,,if if4a f~Hr 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: "Hi, there, Mrs. Pitts."
 Prolonged silence.
 "Confound the womanw 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 shes busy with her beer can! Confound these London chars"
 Were you calling, miss red-eyed, somewhat alcoholic visage was thrust around the corner of the door.
 q was! Often-and loudly!" tartly remarked Lucille Bring me a cup of tea, Mrs. Pitts. And make it strong, I've got a fiendish headache coming on!"
 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 spurious prettiness by night, with its bamboo ''suite" and faded prints of old Japan it's scrolls and paper lanterns.
 But awful in the daytime! quotf Lucille the candid.
 Yes-it was true-she had retro gressed in the last few years.
 Lost heart, and lost my grip or things, no wonderw Her weary eyes held a gleam of resenting in them And to think that 'he'-the cause oi all I've come through-should have the darned insolence and nerve"-Eucilit was not particular in her choice of Eng fish when she was alone-"the insolenet to sit in the stalls last night and lister to my show, and then refuse to set me"
 She tossed her hot head wearily or the pillows.
 "Why was I ever such fool as te marry him." Over and over she re. peated the age-worn question.
 Her thoughts flew back to that short lived, ecstatic honeymoon upon thu veldt. It held so many moments" like oases in the arid desert of her life. Full