The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-17
CHAPTED TX (Cont.) THE TELL-TALE RING!

The latter flushed. She suddenly remembered she was wearing the en- gagement ring that David Burke had given her. It was a diamond circlet, large and noticeable. How awful if Jim saw 1t!
 Under cover of the tablecloth Shir- ley removed the ring. Her action was too energetic. for it sliped from her finger to the floor The movement. fortunately. was soundless
 She made no effort 10 recover i.. afraid that either ot the other two might notice it. Once supper was con cluded, she would DICK 1t up.
 She didn't want to marry anyone. she told herself. miserably conscious al the same time that she cared for the attractive. debonair young man who was seated opposIe, her and who-- judging from the detached air with which he talked to Vivian-no longer cared a thing about nerl
 The thought of David Burke was purgatory. She fdlt she almost hated him.
 Lis wife. He hadn't acted fairly toward her.
 She would send him back the ring and tell him so.
 What a glorious dance we rad last night!" Vivian was addressing Jim. A little flush of excitement had made her almost pretty, lighting up her sallow skin. T must confess 1 enj ,y these small and early affairs. One gets to bed in decent time. And the little dinner party that you gave be- forehand in the Blue Parroquette' was exactly right!''
 Shirley pricked up her ears. A light was dawning on her. Where last nights doings were concerned, this statement proved an a1ibi for Jim!
 Was the dinner party given in iChelsea?" she inquired timidly, avid ing Jim's eyes.
 Vivian looked surprised at the ques- tion
 "of course. the Blue Parroquettes in Chelsea. Haven't YOU heard of it?'
 Jim gave the loveliest little dinner at o'clock last night--we did enjoy it son
 Seven o'clock last night, Wasn't that the hour when she had sen Jim .skulking out of Lucilles flat in Soho, miles away from Chelsea?
 An. but she certainly had made a wild mistake.
 Relief astonishment and a curious kind of humiliation swept over Shir-
 Supper finished-it had been a dreadful meal-she rose to go.
 Jim Dalton got up. too. He had noticed Shirley's air of humiliation and his heart had gone out to the young girl. He would accompany her and matters could be set straight now He'd lonly got to let her know of the exist sence of his double" the down-and- cutter. who had caused so much trou- ble and who was the real husband of Lucille.
 His foot struck something under meath the table. There was a little tinkling sound. and a glittering ob- ject appeared in view. He stopped to rick it up.
 Why. it's shirley's engagement rlng!' cried Vivian. darting forward and lifting the diamond circlet from gim' hand Shirley. you careless girl. What on earth would your fianee say?' She handed the ring to Shirley. Then laughingly she turned to Jim. "Shr- ley's going to be married to the broth CT of super -dreadnaught-and his name is MT. David Burlzet' she cried.
 LUCILLE GOES BROKE
 Lucille was tired-immensel tired. Weary with a fatigae of mind that was greater than anything merely physical.
 Lucille had none of the true artists interest in a Career" Nor the artistic craving for freedom" To her mind freedom spelt loneliness and event want.
 She could care for anyone who would provide these things she told herself. Kindness engendered love--the type of which Lucille was capable. Only the rare women are fitted for a great, absorbing self-forgetful passion.
 Children would possibly bring out the best in Lucille's nature. She was essentially material.
 Her various emotional experiences hadn't touched her very deeply. For her unreliable. shifty husband she had had sort of infatuation. She had lived on the memory of that romance for three long years.
 But Lucille had her own share ol common sense Now that she had seen the down-and- in all the deseneracy of an opium fiend, the glamour had departed Romance couldn't finger in an atmosphere oi loathing and distrust. Last nights