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

Full moon was Bp that night. And Shirley could not sleep.
 From under her pillow she drew fcrth her wrist watch. glancing at its luminous figures.
 Why. il was only II o'clock
 Sweet scents of the garden drifted through her open window. as though heckoning her to come out into ths clear. perfumed air.
 And-what was that small red glow cown by the little wicket gate?
 It was Jim's cigar-and he was there!
 She got up hurriedly. before her resolution should change. slipped on some clothes and a small white cloak and noiselessiy descended.
 A world of scented biossom-silence and full mooni
 Could any setting be more exquisite
 There could be no doubt that he loved her! His eyes, the tones O. his voice, his every action told her so'
 In the shadow of big elm tree, ana close to an old. herbaceous border. she to be too bold.
 How silent the countryside was lying. bathed in this clear white splendor!
 Shirley" Jim was beside her. ~Shir- ley-my dear-is that you7"
 She laughed a little tremulousfy.
 Its an enchanted evening, isn't itr couldn't sleep"
 He caught her by the arm.
 Come down this path-over to those shadows-and smell the roses-and see the big white moonr
 Like two children on some tr,11nts' ad- venture, they stole off into little world of perfumed shade, hearts beating rap idly.
 In nearby wood nightingale began to sing. Her throbbing rotes were fun of passion and of ecstacy. All about them was the perfume of the roses, rising to the senses like sweet narcotic
 Shirley" The young man flung an arm about her slim cloaked figure, drawing It nearer to himself Shirley, I never thought the world could hold such beauty and such happiness-tiu met you~' The moonlight ffcleered for a moment on her face, giving it weird, unearthly sort of beauty, as she whispered:
 "Jim!"
 only thousand times more beautffMr' You're laughing at mel" Again that tremulous note in Shirlsy's voics- "Hushs Listen to the nightingale
 Do you know just what it's saytngri .Jim's tones were breathiess, like run ner nearing the goal
 
 '"rfAe things l want to say tn you. sweetheart, and that I haven't got the words for.''
 She turned snd looked at hfn. her pret- tinesse shining peari-like in the moon light. Q
 T want to hear them-Jimy' He caught her close in his two arms, then, tilting up her little face, Shirley
 
 Shirley. I love your He drew a long, deep breath '~rhat isn't originai-but it's true.'
 My dearf-- she whispered back again, hiding her face against his shoulder. "Oh. Jim-''
 Shirley. IT simply worship you! ' didn't know what life meant until that day I nearly lost it-and met you, sweet hearti I've been living in kind of para just little bitt Oh. Shirley"
 His voice broke pleadingly. She did not answer. hiding her face still closer up against his shoulder How big he was-how strong-how altogether wonderful That nice to- lbacco smell about his coat too
 sShiriey--dearest--yo aren't going to break my heart7 Say that you'1l try to get to like me"
  he loved to hear.
 You foolish boY--I-rve loved you from the moment that I met your
 He gave one long sigh of sheer re- lief then, and held her tighter in his arms. His eyes were just a trifle moist
 .I-I swear that I'll be good to you. my deari I-I can hardly believe in my own tremendous luck! A girl like you-that any man would love-that could marry anybody-it-it's wonder fulr'
 The moon shown down beautifully upon them-and 1t almost seemed as though an amused twinkle lurked somewhere on her kind old face Only-the happy lovers didn't notice las is their way! row and get the engagement ringI wen do everything properly, as it should be done!'
 Yes. Jimr The young girls eyes were shining.
 He stopped and kissed her on the, aips-that long. first kiss with which no other can compare.
 The following afternoon Inn set off to town upon his precious mission Miss Shirley roved the country roads in dreamy solitude. ! The miraculous had occurred at last E-she was in lovel { On her return she was conncious of "a stranger sitting on a rustic bench upon the lawn-a tall. good looking young woman. with an air of fashion. very smartly dressed
 As sae approached the stranger rose and rustled elegantly across the grass
 The maid said you were out and so I waited here for you" Tho smart 5oung woman took in every detail of Shirley's fresh appearance, speaking the while in a low. beautifully modu- lated voice.
 She must be an actress-and she's very handsome" Shirley thought.
 But aloud she merely said:
 'Is there anything can do for your"
 T understand.' said the older wo- nan. eyeing Shirley keenly, that MT. Jim Dalton is staying at your house."
 Yes. but he's. gone up to town to- day" A memory of Jims mission drought a quick, confident smile to Shirley's lips. Then she added brightly.
 rDo you know him 7''
 A queer look crossed the strangers face. And when she spoke the words were like thunderboit
 T ought to know him-he's my hus- band," she said grimly.
 shirley and the stranger faced each other in a silence that was tense.
 'Your-your husband?" she whis- pered at last white. and with dry lips. Jim Dalton-your husbandg'
 The other woman nodded.
 My husband," she repeated. Her voice was low and very musical But it changed suddenly, as she added in higher key:
 And darned bad husband, tool
 With d tremendous effort, Shirley pulled herself together, though it