The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-10

@ketNesNAtAA gest liar in college, anoener who stood highest in calculus, but boasted os being the drunkest student on the night of the ton. pointing at the cable. This comes from my agents in South Afr.ca, verify ing the story of your marriage with one Lucy Smith-a marriage contracted perfectly legally four years ago-and there isn't any backing out of 1t, let me inform you"-
 But Dalton had risen to his feet, and with one swift, sure blow had felled Burke to the ground!
 "PIsToLS FOR TWO..
 David Burke picked himself up, and glared at Jim with righteous indigna- tion on his brow.
 Fragments of grass and mud clung lovingly to his immediately pressed trousers-and he had lost his hat!
 He stopped and picked 1t up, me- chanically brushing the nap of it with his handkerchief. He could scarcely trust himself to speak-so furious was he.
 For Jim had transgressed all the known canons of good breeding. To be knocked down in a public park-as though he were participant in any com mon brawl--he, David Burke, landed proprietor of Surrey-it was unthink- ablei
 My solicitors will call upon you at the earliest possible moment" He glared at Jim. "Rascals of your kind are sharply dealt with in this county, let me assure you! In fact, if it weren' t fer Miss Shirley here, I'd call the po- lice!'
 "A most expedient move" sarcasti- cally commented Jim. Before I'm through with you you'll be nightly in need of police protection"--
 He took threatening step toward Burke.
 You low down. sneaking spy!' He raised his arm again as though he would willingly repeat the same dex- terous 'four-inch jab" with which he had previously felled Burke to earth. You interfering curl" But Shirley thrust himself between the two. She was shaking with appre- hension.
 "Jim-Mr. Burke-are you both crazy? Remember where you are' Some interested street arabs who had been playing down by the waters edge drew near to watch developments. fight In the tenements from which they came this was usual but ever enthralling spectacle!
  away with me! I can't permit you to be mixed up in a common brawl!' Burke caught the young girl by the arm. AS for you, sir, I'd be glad to have your address, and-believe me you'll be summarily dealt with"
 With sardonic smile upon his lips Jim Dalton drew forth a card whereof was inscribed the name of couplpe of his clubs.
 fft,1 rvaa- and it may interest you to know that I shall bring counter -charge-fof libel"
 He turned to Shirley. His eyes soft ened perceptibly.
 My dear" he said, ''the whole af- fairs a trumped-up pack Of lies. AS for cable"-he smiled contemptuously- q believed our friend MT. Burke here wrote the silly thing himselfl It's a hoax
 Burke stepped forward angrily. Examine it yourself. and see! Jim hesitated.
 "Jim" shiriey's voice held an inn pIoring note. Jim, as far as the cable goes. I think it's genuine. Look at the date-and postmarks. It's come in the regular way" Jim Dalton snatched the paper rom her hand and scanned it closely. A queer light flickered on his face "It's genuine, right enough. Bu' there's a catch somewhere" Ills eye 1 ran over the words. Why it's rom Brown & Sons, the up-country agents | They're quite reliable. too.' He scratched his head. s"Of all the darheo l queer things
 sbirlev was staring up at him in be- l wi,dered anxiety. What could she dc or say? Why couldn't Jim explain away this amazing mysteryF l 'Wen. do you admit you're ialrs | caupht?" Burke neered at last. "De you give in?"
 With an angry exclamation, Jim Dai' ton tore the cable into little pieces | Burke smiled sardoncally. 1 "A useless waste of energy-fve go a duplicate at heme
 1 Jim Dalton turned to Shirley Anger blazed in his eyes.
 s.you,ve got to choose between us
 u,r I tell you once again this cable lie a hoax. There's some mistake E'
 arvtbinr will be explained--in time 1 Rnt shirley, l don't want you other
 wise You must believe what tell vol
 paor shirley didn't answer. He tineue seemed to cleave to the roo If her mouth and the words Jus wouldn't come.
 1shirley. aren't you going to speak lto stand bv mel" Jim took step 10
 ward her. His tones were very sharn sT reneat again--and for the last tlrieT you've got to choose between me am this precious fellow here
 Kindly don't annoy this lady an further--or I'll kive you in charge
 Purke decided that the psychoiogica
 moment had come to which to assum inc mastery of affairs. At any instan foollsh little Shirley Marsh might yieie
 Him Dalton. keyed up to the highes
 hitch. could stand the strain no longer
 .Jf vou haven't got a word to say shirley. then I'm through with you 40
 soIntelv finished. If this is all yo think of me-
 great lump was in poor shirley
 throat making speech impossible Sh turned her head away to hideheF tear'
 Aso you turn away from me at Tn first i'll wind You believe any one ! preference to me. Why. you aren LII kind of girl I thought you were" hurt. immensely disappointed note wa in Jfrn's voice. "Good-by. then, Shirle
 we'd better end things now," He paused for moment. hoyplng sin
 would make some answer.
 Then. with look of most suprem teontempt at David Burke, he turne away and atrode across the grass.
 tDo not miss tomorrow's exciting chap