The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-29

ready to be installed. These are one of a chain of improvements that the the anticipation of the delightful hol- iday they were about to spend al the "seiect" and far from cheap hotel along the Brighton front-all these factors tended to produce a delightful feeling of well being. And this luxurious comfort wasn't going to cease either. For was she not the promised wife of David Burke, that rich and eligible country gentle. man!
 She closed her eyes and purred com tentedly.
 They picnicked by the roadside when the journey was halfway conn plete. Jim spread the tablecloth him- self on a carpet of pine needles In shady little grove.
 It all looked very fresh and dainty, the alfresco meal. There were cold chicken and a salad and some new French rolls, with a pat of golden butter resting on lettuce leaf bottle of burgundy, too. And big basket of freshly gathered strawber- ries, with q jar of cream. Shirleys appetite revived.
 As they journeyed on by car she felt pleasantly sleepy. After a time her eyes closed and she dozed little, lean ing back against the cushions Jim had arranged for her.
 It was the keen. delightful tang of the salt sea air which woke her up at last.
 Were almost at Brighton nowl" said Jim smiling into her eyes with look in his own which told Shirley all she wished to know.
 She put a tentative hand up to her blowing curls
 TT feel so happy-so much better" she said softly, her pretty face all aglow.
 They reached the Palace Pier at last, and here Jim stopped his car so that Shirley might get view of the kaleido- scopic water front.
 How beautifulw she cried.
 Before her lay a stretch of glittering sea, jade-g green close in to shore, chang ing to amethyst and turquoise as the water gradually deepened, but spark ling in a myriad evanescent shades.
 Immediately below her was a clean sweep of pebby beach, dotted with newly painted boats and picturesque brown fishing smaeks. Away to the right, far as the eye could reach. 1t faded off into distant Shoreham- by the Sea.
 To the left little miniature railway ran along the shore until 1t reached the base of high, chalky cliffs. It's tiny trains-rickety wooden boxes, run by eetricity-intrigued Miss Shirley vastly
 Her eye wandered othe magnificent buildings all along the front.
 How beautiful" she said again, her glance returning to the dazzling expanse of water against which the two white piers stood out in bold re- lief.
 An airship lowered overhead, flying quite low, so that she could see the the front were craning their necks cheering.
 And from the Palace Pier came the gay syncopated music of band
 This is the 1ife.s cried Lucille gaily from the rear of the car. Bands pierrots-pink teas-young men ga lore!"
 They footed merrily along Marine Parade and drew up at the exclusive, quiet" hotel which Jim had chosen for them. He himself was staying further west, at a much gayer hostelry,
 Shirley must lie down and have an immediate rest" declared Lucille, with all the airs of d professional nurse, "so you'd better run along and leave us until -time!'.
 And Jim reluctantly departed.
 In her @first-floor front" Miss Shirley rested luxuriously, with the fresh air Rowing on her face across miles ot Water. and thesdeep murmur of the ocean in her ears.
 Lucille. How're we going to pay for all this?" she couldn't help inquir- ing at last, a shadow crossing her pretty brow.
 Its state secret-but I s'pose I'd better tell you. Miss Inquisitiveness,' Lucille patted her young patient reas- suringly "A dearsrld uncle out in Timbuctoo-or someS equally inn possible-saw fit to send me large cheque for my birthday I love the sea --it would be no fun coming down alone--I've brought yous too--voila.'
 Shirley looked puzzled. This expla- nation didn't sound quite plausible. And yet she didn't feel in any mood for argument.