The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-08

Farrel Galt, spoke now, slowly. ITO this-this is your polite method of refusing me. I'm a proud man. And you've accused me of being a 1 pretty thorough going bounler Since you hold such opinions. we had bet ter part. The sooner the better!p | But Natalie-white-fa faced and trem- bling now the plunge was taken put her two gloved hands Up to her l face and burst into uncomfortable | sobs.
 This made matters difficult. To | be seen in a public park accompanied 1 by a weeping young woman was nothing short of anathema to Farrei Galt.
 My Dear. Pull yourself. together! You're all unstrungi For heaven s sake, dry your eyes, There, I take back what said You hurt me--but I'm willing to forget about it." Natalie's momentary distrust be- gan to fade. Galts spell was very t'potent. particularly when he made special effort.
 And he had fascinated her. "Oh, F'arrel, IT do care-for you" she whispered, dabbling a her pretty eyes with a wisp of pocket hand kerchief. 'rve been a beast to you! Forgive me! Say you do! And it 6oesn't matter if you've had 5o.000 000 love affairs So there! Because love you-Farrel-'
 He smiled. we'll pleased For he had won.
 Mrs Della Desmond was waiting for Miss Natalie at o'clock that afternoon, in her pretty black and yellow drawing room. The charming widow felt somewhat uneasy over the attitude of Farrel Gait. She was extremely fond of Farrel. But the old adage that love is blind" did not hold good in this particular instance.
 For Mrs. Desmond understand her man quite thoroughly, and had no illusions.
 That she felt affection for him, under those enlightening circum- stances, may appear to be mystery But the widow, be it known, was herself of the same ilk or genus slippery.
 And so fellow feeling made her wondrous kind.
 We've both got an eye to the main chance" she confessed to herself on the afternoon on which she awaited Natalie's coming. Were both hard
 
 change, of admiration, and a good time. We each possess certain se crets that we wish to hide. We're both equally in debt. and our cred itors are worrying us. And we're both selfish, and inconsiderate of others
 "It was a bond-a decided bond. Birds of a feather'--the old saw borne out in actual fact, She enjoyed ! At. I~-.. Vi e.f. derstood him. Forgave him even while she scrutinized him through 2 microscope.
 k Once married to MT. Frederick Du- cane and possessed of the ample al lowance he would make her Che was generous. she knew), she would spend i much of her time with fascinatin :, Farrell She would do the decent 1 thing. and lend him money She would become his creditor.
 And when MT. Ducane's allotted
 time on earth was up. Farrel and she would have their postponed wedding
 third matrimonial venture. And third times were always lucky. Everyone l knew that.
 I'm counting my chickens before they're hatched." She laughed aloud in amused fashion. Della was often
 diverted by herself, these days. I'm an optimist But nothing succeeds like success I've proved it, too"
 She glanced complacently around
 the little flat. Yes, it was chic, and
 pretty. Expensive in places. also The lacquer furniture had cost g
 pretty penny. (Her system at roulette
 had proved a winner, and had paid the lacquer bills.)
 She had made the black and orange cushions out of an old dinner frock l (Delia was clever with her needle.) And the yellow roses-and indeed most of the flowers that came week | lyto the little flat-were a standing order given to the nearest florist by an infatuated boy.
 | The thick black velvet carpet, the hangings, pictures and more lux urious appointments of the flat had Been purchased by sum of money