The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-21
CHAPTER IT (Cont'd.) GRE HAPPY SHTRIEN,,


 Confusion reigned in the White Cottage on the morning following the storm For Shirley's grandmother-a dear old lady had suddenly been seized with illness, and the sands of life were running very low.
 Shirley's own troubles were quite for gotten in this new anxiety.
 twin she pull through, doctor?' she incurred, with trembling lips, gazing ap- pealingly at the physician as though he held the keys of life and death. Don t tell me that she's going to die! She's the only one I have belonging to me"
 He patted her shoulder kindly.
 "Cheer up. Miss Shirley! We'll do our besti' he said.
 And all day long the young girl watcheo beside the old lady's bed.
 Towards evening a nurse came from Iondon-a clever capable woman She saw the dark circles under Shirley pretty eyes and insisted on dismlsslhg her from her post.
 ssGo out in the garden and get breath of air. If there's any change I'll send for you at once! she said
 She had her way.
 A few minutes later David Burke came to join Miss Shirley. He was genuinely sorry for the girl, fer he knew her affec- tionate nature and the depths of her anx- iety.
 If anything happens to your grand mother, my dear-and pray heaven 1t won't-why you've got me to take care Of you,- he kept repeating.
 The thought, however, did not comfort Shirley.
 ~crandmamma doesn't know of our en- eagement," she said briefly.
 Silence fell between them. And at last the stars came out.
 Shirley" said David Burke at last. TT wish you'd agree to marry me quite soon There really isn't anything to wait for''
 He put an arm about her, and for a moment Shirley yielded, tired out as she was
 Then she drew away from him.
 sDon't worry me just now" A hint Of sccnning tears was in her voice. 'l-l reel i -as though--I never wish to marry any one! wish was just a little girl agaln, living alone with grandmamma-and hzppyf"
 Burke thought it wiser not to press the euestfon. and silence fell again.
 It was broken by sound of running footsteps Nellie, the parlor maid came frurryfng across the lawn.
 "T'he nurse says will you come at once Miss Shirley?' Tears were on Nellie's checks Your grandmother's conscious and she wants to speak to you
 Shirley ran toward the house, Burke following A moment later she stood be- side her grandmother's bed, and Burke beside her.
 The sands of life were almost run-even the inexperienced Shirley could see that. The old lady was propped up on pillows, breathing with difficulty. Shirley stopped to catch some words she said.
 "I-I want you-to be happy. Shirley. You're good-child. The young man. who had the-accident. You must-marry him." Here she stared unseeingly at David Burke She raised feeble hand and touched Shirleys fresh young cheek. .<Marry = and be happy-Shirley dear- the right man"
 She slipped back on her pillows, sighed and closed her eyes. Her breathing ceased
 And Shirley, overwrought, sank down beside the bed and wept her heart out!
 THE WEB
 Shirley's grief over her grandmother's 8 death was very keen, She had been deep ly attached to the old lady. And the White Cottage-without that gentle pres ence-now seemed a lonely and melon- choly place.
 As though in mockery of her loss cheery telegrams and letters of congrat- ulation on her newly announced engage ment came pouring in, along with mis- sives of condolence.
 '.It's a good thing she's got someone to take care of her." said the majority of Shirley's friends, reading the notice in the Times. "She won't even have to leave her native village, for David Burke has a wonderful estate close to Shirley's old home. She's luclyr'
 The young woman in question. however.