The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-19
IN SEARCH OF LUCILLE

Dawn broke The down-and outer stirred. Out in the street there was the sound of heavy wagons rolling by. The city was awakening slowly. 1 A recollection of last nights happen f ings gradually percolated through the l opium -soddened brain. The down and | outer shivered, stirred again, sat up. Something bright and glttering att
 tracted his attention lying the floor of the shed. He stopped and ricked 1t up.
 It was a broken piece Of mirror and
 the light had struck it.
 He held it so that he could see re- | fiection of his own unshaved and hir- sute face.
 l A dull flush rose to his sallow cheeks
 at the picture he presented. For. van ] iy dies hard.
 l My! I look awuful! Almost any cop 'ud arrest me on sight. He tilted the
 mirror to a franker angle. The image that 1t gave back wasn't pleasing. If I'm to get clear out of this in- fernal city. I'd best try to look like gentleman" he reflected shrewdly, counting his resources There was two pounds left from Shir- 1 ley's purse. In another pocket he dis covered 30 shillings in loose change. Three pounds ten in all--that wasn't | badl
 i Tie q go anu nave d SHdNt-y cS--d hd l a bath. The thing must be done in style. And he'd redeem his one good suit from the pawnbrokers in White chapel He'd buy new shirt. too, and d collar and a hat-and then he'd go and see Lucille.
 She'll feel quite different toward
 me if look something like the way l l used to dor' he argued with himself. ] It was a completely different man, ] then-washed and shaved and smart 1 ened-who. some hours later. presented l himself at Lucilles little flat in Soho. | The down-and d-outer looked what he was not-a gentleman. The extraordinary resemblance be- tween himself and Dalton was doubly emphasized. With his old clothes, too. | the down-and- seemed to shed his furtive manner and his Cockney accent and adopted a new air that | was almost grandoise. l He rapped cautiously on the door of Lucilles flat his head held up, and l very conscious of the good-looking I picture that he made. | The door was opened by a fluffy? :? l headed siren very much en deshabille | the newly welded chorus lady who | had rented the apartment. "dademoiselle Derange2 Why, she's resting in the countryi'' ] The brides eye kindled. as 1t invari- ably did toward any handsome specl- | men of the opposite sex.
 "Is there anything that I can do for your she added abligingly. smiling | rp at him.
 "I--er--oh, thanks. fly--you l might give me her address?" Tha down and outer flung out his hollow chest. Though he had skidded well nigh to the bottom of the toboggan. the healthy quality of vanity was still alive-and this girl smiled as though she really did feel interest in him. "Shep inside" said the little bride "I4uct,le did give me the address, if only I can find it.'' She ushered him into the tiny sitting room and retreated to the room be- yond.
 l He sat down on the sofa and picked | up the morning paper. His hand ltrembled just trifle as he scanned l the news page. Would the word 1 Murder" greet him th.re?
 1 His eye ran down the columns, fear l ful of what he'd see.
 1 RAID ON A CHINESE OPIUM DENT" 1 He caught his breath in sharply. l "ONE POLICEMAN I&JUREDt" | Injured? And not killed! Oh, pray heaven:s not killed.
 "ExPECTED TO RECOvER. | He dropped the paper on the floor Relief went surging throush his heart