The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-23

over the salad. She dissected a spring onion carefully. T saw him just re- gently. Had lunch with him, In fact He's temperamental sort of fellow"
 How - temperamental?" Shirley managed to assume an air of half bored, lazy interest she was far from feeling. Her heart had begun to pound again, most disconcertingly. She literally hung on Niyian's reply.
 "Oh. I don't know. Falling in love and out again. Down in the depths, then up in the heights. At present it's the depths Fancies himself in love with some one-unrequitted affection and all that sort of thing" She laughed lightly.
 T wonder who the girl is?' vivid hope was blowing in Miss Shirley bosom. In spite of everything, perhaps Jim still did care?
 Her hopes, however. were consider ably dashed when Vivian answered coolly:
 There's a kind of dflettante- artist round in cheyene Gardens that he visits quite lot. An awfully handsome girl with tons of cash She gives glorious parties in her big, fine house--though personally I don't rare much for her, and won't accept erinvitations often. '
 Shirleys heart sank
 shes always hanging round this studio, because she knows Jim is a pal of mine." Vivian stirred the salad vigorously. I'm afraid she's 'tha woman in the case'-though what Jim can see in a peroxide. artificial blonde beats mel
 She poured some dressing on the salad. She knew she had exaggerated Jim's attention to the dizzy blonde R41t ie~, mt of r,r nj C . of Jim and Shirley-she didn't want the latter to suffer any heartaches for Jim without a timely hint or two tha' might cut Miss Shirley's admiration short.
 'Forewarned's forearmed-and Jim: so awfuny fascinatingr reflected Viv- Ian. casting motherly eye upon hen friend. Shirley had escaped from ont disastrous love affair. She wasn't go ing to let her court disaster in sec. ond.
 She hadn't guessed that Shirley was the girl Jim cared for.
 couldn't bear to pursue the other line of conversation. She turned 1t defini. lively.
 "oh. not so bad@ The other shrug. ged her pretty shoulders. '"rhey'r' paying me a guinea for each fashion drawing now. I turn out, roughly three a week-Im lazyl I have al allowance of about pound weel from home And an occasional checl that bridges over difficult times.''
 But why don't you work harder?' Vivian laughed outright, merry jolly laugh
 ''The world. the flesh and the devi won't allow me. my good child"
 You mean---you like enjoyment?'
 Vivian nodded
 T. love Iife-with capital l.. hate to miss single think that's going on I've got to be on the go,' con beinuaIly. And this free and easy mod' of existence encourages the tendency Don't lecture, Shirley I'm quit happy l don't expect I'll ever be { genius. But I'm getting lots of ful from life."
 They sat down to supper When the meal was over. Vivian said T promised to run round for hal an hour or so and sit with frien' that's i'll. She'll be expecting me, poo soul. Shirley. would you care to conn along? She eyed the other dubiously and looked relieved when Shirley's an swer was in the negative. Thought you'd be tired and wan to turn in earlyw Vivian put on he rakish tam-o,=shanter and her cloal I 'Tll be gone for abour an 1tour Blu do just as you please, Shirley This I liberty hallw
 1 When she had gone. Shirley sat fo some time by the window, trying { adjust herself to this new scheme Q l things. Vivian was dear. she tol l herself. So kind-so generous Tn hints about Jim Dalton's woman i the case"-no doubt they were mean well, and Vivian couldn't know ho' much they hurt.
 If only 1 could forget all abou him.e thought poor Shirley sadly. l She began to feel a trifle ashame over the hastiness of her exit fror Portman square. In her own quee way her hostess had meant to be kinC
 I'll write a note to Mrs, Arnold really ought to-since David Burke de stroyed my previous letter." Shlrle | hunted till she found pen and paper. l The letter finished, she decided { go out and post it. She put on her ha picked up her gloves and sailed foru
 Half way down the stairs she hear the sound of a woman's voice, ascend 1 ing. Then mans tones. She recog rized them at once as those of Daltor ! He was coming up the stairs, no doub | LO Cdti Oh FAf4oAit anu "SScihPehiiiSN U some one.
 "Oh, couldn't bear to meet him now" thought Shirley, paling nervous l ly "Oh, I must hide." She was on the first floor, and be side her stood door. half open. Tn owner of this studio evidently was nc at home
 1 Without moments hesitation sh ] darted in, shut the door behind he and stood there, listening, hoping tn two would pass.
 To her dismay she heard them ha outside the door.
 Some ones gone and shut it-an ! the darned thing won't open without key,' she heard Jim Dalton say. She had only time to dart behind a ! immense. swathed canvas and crouc down on the floor when key was fit ted in the lock and footseps crossed tn 1 threshold.
 This is my studio" said Dalton { i his companion.
 "A nice place." said another wei ! known voice.
 | And Shirley. peering through a aperture among some pictures. pei l ceived that Dalton's companion wa l none other than--Lucille, Don't miss tomorrow's instalment (
 this exciting serial.