The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-21

what harm she cbose-it would be too
 latei
 You must not be anxious about Miss
 Marshs welfare-she's surrounded here
 by friends-and rest assured they'll do
 everything to cheer and console her at a time like this" He spoke stifhy. He was angry with Lucille.
 A hure look came into the latter's fine eyes. She had more perspicuity than Burke might think She could read yhis | thoughts.
 He had been so kind to her, and she had mistaken such kindness for par l ticular interest in herself It wasn't lat tering to learn that love for Shirley Marsh had been the dynamo that urged him to such kindness. "Men are all selfish! The man doesn t | live who's worth worrying over! 50 ran l Iucilles' philosophical reflections. But | they didn't serve to comfort her. | Of course, 1t would be perfectly possi- ble to put a spoke in Burkes wheel Legitimate, too, and inform the latter tEat Burke was keeping back vital lntor- nation for his own self-interest! she | could tell Shirley that the down-and-out- er-and Jim Dalton the artist-were two | distinct entities, mentally and moraily l poles apartl
 Shirley was kind, good girl She de- served a square deal-and cereainiy S0 wasn't getting it! ., .. Lucille walked into the little sitting room of inc cottage where she lived with Burke's old nurse. Burke made an eN- | cuse, and left her.
 She picked up yesterdays newspaper | lying on the 'whatnot' in the corner; l Yesterday had been day so crarii,ieu Iue'a with action-and anxiety-tnat she hauii had a moments time to read. She seated herself in a comfortable roclring-chair beside the window ana
 onened up the paper. Her eye wandered down the column devoted to court news. Immediately below it was the notice; "Forthcoming marriages. Luclne reau on. .,s Then suddenly she gave startled ex- ! clamation. peering more closely at the printed page "A marriage has been arranged and will shortly take place" lmmediately followed the names of Divad Burke ana Shirley Marsh A mist. born of genuine emotion and distress. seemed monentarily to blot the words from Lucille's eyes. Burke-golng to be married
 Like a sudden. illuminating flash, she knew now that she cared for him. Not merely for his money and position. at tractive though they were, but for nm self.
 Yes, even though he had been definitely crooked as regards Jim Dalton 'T love him" said Lucille staring drearily through the sun-fecked cottage window, land now it looks as though I'm going to lose him.
 The bees were humming busily among the flowers outside. To Lucille the sound | seemed like a dirge to all her happl- ness. c 1 "Why did I ever come to Surrey? Sne 1 closed her eyes, immensely weary She ! A- I1a fnr hn she | told herself. She was legally married to another man. Yes, even though he had l abused. deserted her. She was still-in name-his wife.
 l q ought to be with him at this moment, 1 helping him to escape from the strong arm of the lawY' She laughed, hollow, | dreary laugh. What mockery her mar riage has proved to be!
 l "Of course. man like David Burke wouldn't want a piece of wreckage like l rnyselfs" The thought of Shirley's fresh l young beauty rose to torture her. And yet I'd make him infinitely happier than I she could!'
 l Shirley was too young for him. Not only l in years, but in experience of life. His | love for her must have something pater- nal in it.
 And I don't believe she cares for him at all*' thought Lucille bitterly. What a huge, freakish joke life was! Human beings forever wanting what they couldn't get! She wanted Burke. He wanted Shirley. Shirley wanted Dalton It was miserable mix-up. But word from her would straighten | things!
 onIy-granting Burke was free to marry her-she. Lucille, was still legally tied to the down-and-outer. THE WOMAN IN THE CASE In the Blue Parroquette in Chelsea-that Bohemian little restaurant beloved of
 Chelsea ?ites-sat Jim Dalton
 He was alone. Immensely blue. With
 out an appetite. Could any plight be
 worse
 A,. ...--... L, ., , IL. -.