The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-17
A FRIEND IN NEED


 Lucille went hurrying down the long
 passage that led to the exit of the
 theatre. Despair was in her heart. At the stage door she encountered another girl who had suffered a simi- lar indignity with herself. But her "companion- n-in-distress" ap- peared quite cheerful Hello. Lucille Derangei Thought I recognized you. dear. So that beast Goldensky turned you down. too! We'll. who cares, anyway?" T do," said poor Lucille. dejectedly. She vaguely recollecSed meeting this young woman once before. when trav- cling fin stock"
 Gone stony. have you?" Sympa thy was in the others tones. Here Bill"-she dragged forward a plain, pleasant-looking youth--"meet Mile Derange, an old pal of mine. Bill and have just got married-only we have rot got a homel l say"-her rather pretty. powdered little face lit up with
 an idea-'Lucille. have you still got that little place in Soho? And would you let 1t? It 'ud be the very thing for me and Bill!'
 Lucille was about to express her hatred of the little flat. But timely business instinct stopped her. If she could let" her town abode, then a plan that had been recently formed in her mind might become possible. She could go down and rusticate in the country-somewher within reach and sight of David Burkei She could recuperate in the pure country air. For brief season she could forge. this hateful, noisy. lonely cityl And she needn't "act."
 T daresay I could fix you up for a lit"
 we can't pay very much.' as serted the whitefox lady shrewdly. but I've seen the flat. Lucille. and tco. Of course the reighborhood isn't rarticularly choice. But Bill and I don't care." She gave her husbands 8 hand an affectionate squeeze I've furnished it myself" said Lu- cille. wondering how much she ought to ask for rent. Knowing the hand to-mouth ways of her profession. she vance'-cash down. Would twenty five shillings a week suit vou?' "That'n be quite o. K.." said Billy s better half quickly. 'lsilrs in shop just now. although I'm resting" She gave a merry laugh. Quite glad that old Goldensky didn't take rae on. I'll have great old time doing the domes- tic stunt and pottering around the lit tie kitchenetter
 "What time can we take posses sion?" queried Bill.
 This afternoon-say about o'clock? ? And a months rent in advance" To her immense surprise. Bill drew out his pocketbook and handed her a crisp. clean five-pound note. The deals closed" he said" Look out for us at g."
 Lucille an immense load lifted from her mind. mounted a ous en route for homo She clutched the five pound note as though it were her worldly all las indeed 1t wasi
 | 'Tll catch a train for Surrey this
 very evening. Some of those old cot tage women will be glad to put me up. The weekly rent of the flat will keep me for a bit. And. oh. it'll be a heavenly rest" So ssn her thoughts She wasn't long in putting her small
 domicile ih order She packed her one
 large cabin trunk full of clothes. l 'Ill leave it at the station to be
 called for later" she reflected. "and only travel down to Surrey with a
 suitcase. That'n save cab fare a. | the other end"
 l At o'clock the new tenants ar rived, to spend horeymoon in Soho. J They were charmed with every | thing. The prints of old Japan, which Lucille thought so hideous. the bride | called "cute." Even Mrs. Pitts was | looked on as a "treasure.'' Lucille delivered up the keys Thank heaven. that deals doner said she to herself as her taxi drove ! away from Soho. ron. I'm so glad | to go!"
 I Arrived at Waterloo. she found she | had some time to wait until the. de- rarture of her train.
 She deposited her cabin trunk in the | left luggage office. got the check for | It. and whiled away an hour or more in a perusal of the daily papers. | Towards ' o'clock she approached I the booking office.
 | There. in the first-class queue. was David Burkei He didn't see Lucille. He's rraveling down by the same train as I-of all the pieces of good
 fertunew thought that young woman.