The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-14
Chapter VII. A TIGHT CORNER

Gd HlRLEH crouched aealhSl eHe N rickety doorway. thoroughly t0 alarmed. Her purse was gone. She was alone in one of the slummiest parts or London. And dusk was falling rapidly
 Her ploringly-followed the retreating figure of the man who had robbed her, the man who had been her 1overl Not only had he stolen her purse--he had stolen also heart and happinesst
 She had come here in a taxi. She hadn't the least idea where she was. But she could see the neighborhood was entirely dsreputable. To appeal to any of the rough looking characters who slunk furtively around these slums would be more than futile-it would be the height of folly i What a fool she had been to follow Jim! A new and dreadful Jim had lately been re sealed to her a sort of .Dr. Jekyl1 and MT. Hyde affair--a dual personality. It was nightmare thought. but none the less it must be true. Not only was Jim married to au- other woman-he was anxious to add herself to his list Of victims. What were the counts against him? At tempted bigamy-lies and robbery.
 He was a freauenter of the slums, too. He was leading a double life. Psychol- ogy accounted for such things. But simple little Shirley shivered at the thought.
 From the public house at the end of the little alley came hilarious sounds of singing. Dreadful. tousfe-headed women lounged in the open doorways. Half-elad children rolled about in the gutter. An unpleasant odor of decay ing garbage filled the air.
 Just as she turned the corner a rough looking man came stumbling through the swinging doors. He grinned on seeing Shirley. swung an arm out, caught her, crying:
 Not so fast, my pretty one, not so fast"
 Shirley could feel his hot breath on her face. In vain she tried to free her self His grip on her arm frightened till she winced with pain
 crowd collected round them.
 Give us kiss and don't be 'aughty.n
 Peals of merriment greeted ths drum ken sally.
 "oh. let me go-please let me go!" cried Shirley, terrified
 The sound of blows and shrieks came drifting down the alley, mingled with a string of oaths.
 "A fight. Come on and watch 'emr' suggested one of the ragged crowd. And Shirley found herself dragged back from whence she came.
 door flew open immediately be- hind Shirley, who had backed against the wall--and Chinese head popped out with leering. furtive eyes. A yell low hand grabbed Shirley by the shoulder
 You come in here missy-me take care of you--me no hurt you!
 Eagerness was in the Oriental voice and In the long almond eyes.
 Poor Shirley shuddered. She would rather face the drunken men than this leering Chinaman. ~.
 Things were indeed looking, very black for her, when suddenly the stout figure of taxi driver flung itself through the crowd, sweeping both men and women to right and left and catch ing Shirley by the wrist. It was the taxi driver who had brought her here
 Clear off you blackguards The police are coming,"i He turned to Shirley, whispering her ear:
 "Quick. down this opening. Run, The old bus is waiting at the corner. I knew you'd get in trouble'-
 At the magic word police the crowd fell back but only momentarily.
 IFS bluffin' us.'
 Its all a bloomin 1ie,"
 There ain't no cops. not anywheres!'
 ',Ere, catch 'em bothr
 Such areassuring- cries only made Shirley and the taxi driver run fas-. ter
 Jump in quickv' He bundled Shirley unceremoniously intol the vehicle. then sprang into the drivers seat. released his clutch, touched the accelerator- and the car sprang forward.
 Not a moment too soon, either! For the shouting, hooting crowd had fol- lowed them. The denizens of the worst slum in London hated to be deprived of "sport.''
 A half-drunk man sprang up beside E the taxi-driver. But the latter robust gentleman was quite match for him. With his tsrong left arm he planted a well-aimed blom immediately below his assailants jaw-and sent him sprawling back among his friends.
 Drive me to Portman Square," she said, giving number. Then can pay you what owe you-I have friends liv- ing there"
 Mixed feelings struggled in Shirley's bosom as they rattled merrily through the London streets. She wondered vaguely what on earth she would say to Mrs. Arnold-how explain this pre- dicament? The latter. lady was so whole-heartedly inquisitive. She would want to sift the matter to the bottom
 
 man Square the door opened and David Burke came down the steps He stopped in pleased surprise when ls he saw Miss Shirleys pretty face at the window of the taxi
 "Oh. I'm so glad it's you!' cried shir- ley. in a relieved voice. Perhaps the dreadful interview with Mrs, Arnold might be avoided
 My sister and her husband have gone to a dinner party, but do come in.' said David Burke hospitably
 Shirley sketched the amazing hap penings of the evening And please give the taximan a pound-for me. He certainly deserves ity' she added in conclusion. Burke, protesting thanks. doubled the amount The taxi drove away SHIRLEY CAUGHT You certainly need a guardian. Shir- ley, Of all the wild-goose chases that ever heard of'-
 Don't scold me. David-rm so tfredv' hint of tears was in Shirley's protest. And I'm awfully hungry, I-X III