The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-07


 an, nearing forty.
 ress, about whose marriage there is a TER
 1en the shafts of golden sunlight fili- rees to make dancing patterns on q young, very much alive, bewilderlng- d in her small canoe and with paddle lressed her vis-a-vis:
 nd everything else that's sentimental! w unded little chin was tilted up defiant sted on the eligible admirer who was gleam of the eternal Eve. out in a flood of golden melody. But the beauty of it seemed to David Burke like exquisite pain
 My dear-rny dear!" he stammered, I shall always be your friend-you know IL. But isn't there-couldnt there be-some hope behind the friendship? Hove you so!'
 The canoe was swinging smoothly through the stream, the paddle piled py Shiriey's capable, small hands. The thrush's song and the soft swish Of the water as it gurgled on the polished wood blended together in a ge:tle harmony
 Its a glorious world said Shirley softly, with apparent irreleVance. one stared across the little creek into the netting RTeenIicSS Ol IiAS her pretty head averted so that she might not see the pain in Davids eyes She hated so to hurt him, Its glorious world--but I haven't lived my day yet and I want so much to live 1t. ,, Ambition? A career? Society! All dead sea fruit!' said David pleaoinsiy. Don't fling love away for empty thlnss. q don't want to fling 1t away-i oo anpreciate it-but I'm no. quite ready 70 = QhirlnyS white DrOWS were knitted together ill perpiexitS. i "Iater on. perhaps-" q won't say any more, my dear-pus. ' remember, I shan't change, said Davlo Burke in his normal. kindly tones, puiiihs 5 himself together, "and now, suppose W. return to the White Cottage for the le@ and strawberries your dear oid saaa
 mother promised to supply us "i'h ! ii' ready"
 | With swift, sure estrokes MISS enm,.y .ti, naddled the canoe along the stream until i thev reached the boathouse. There she moored her little craft. 1 AS she walked beside him in the nick- ering shadow of the peech- trees, hel l aoppy river hat slung by rippon to iiel l arm. and her qiquant little face one gu" of animation, prosaic David burhe ue l cided. as he had done hundred tiiiea hefore-that for beauty, freshness' chAi Il 1 of manner and complete pewltchiisn's' no other girl could ever come "iehih a
 hundred miles of Shirley Marsn! Listen! A motor horn! 1 They had reached a little winding lane. flanked by high messy banks on | either side.
 l 'No car wouli ever attempt to come th;s way-the roads too narrow 1 Burke observed ''I heard no sound.
 Down the center of the little lane walked Shirley. ize what happened-calamity occuireu in the shape of big touring car drlVen at a reckless pace around the bend-a uace so swift that she had no time | to save herself, to spring aside
 She screamed. The big car swerVeo | to avoid her, running crazily for second with two wheels on the nahk Then , ..
 Crash! It overturned. hurling it' solitary driver with terrific torce ioi thirty feet along the road. 1 Shirley screamed again, her sienoel fivure emerging from cloud of dust Only a foot away from her panted th' 1 great car on it's side, like some defeated giant, grooming.
 Tn twinkle David Burke spranf I forward and switched off the engine Then he ran swiftly down the roa' toward the prostrate figure or th' driver, lying there so quietly. | "Oh, is--is he killed?" gasped Shir lev. white to the lips, and with suci |. trembline at the knees that her limb. refused to carry her. Everytnihs seemed whirling in confusion | But David Burke was kneeling In tn' roadway, passing careful hano ove that silent figure-and made no an swer.
 "He--he isn't dead?" she stammered
 Then she drew sharply back.
 Look! His heads bleeding! or
 he's badly hurt. Poor boy,poor ooy. She stopped down suddenly an ripped a soft flounce from her unaer skirt.
 "Ouick-let me bind it up-Ive ha a course in first aid-it ought to done at once"
 She knelt down in the roadwa,
 working with quick, delft fingers tha no longer trembled. INT. Burke, won't you run TOT nei at once, while I stay with him! You aren't afraid to be left alone i. There's a chance that he might
 delirious-alarm you in some way-n doubt about it that he's got concus 'sion---"
 : .srhen hurry hurry" Pink spots , excitement burned in Shirleys cheek i "Grandmamma will give you brandy , bring back with you--and she'll phon
 the nearest doctor to come at once 1 1 the white cottage--of course well carr i this poor boy there- s And David Burke went running ooH
 inc road. turned sharply to the rfgl d and disappeared through the. short q . in the woods, leaving the young Si
 and her patient to a silence and sol l. ltude complete.
 f Suppose that he should die?"