The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-30
The By MAY CHRISTIE Disturbing Kiss Mcclure
 VL-"Kicked Out of Penang

"Oh, Farrel, do take pity on a lady in distress! A faithless swain proIt- ised to meet me here for dinner, and the wretch hasn't comel I've waited for nearly quarters of an hour, and I'm starvingi" The owner of the sweet voice that had interrupted Farrels musing emphasized the last word with a traily, pathetic ca dence.
 Good gracious, Della How you startled me! was just thinking of you, too" he cried Intentionally jumping up. "Of course, you'll dine with us. Delighted"
 He turned. and effected an intro duction
 This is Mrs. Della Desmond. an old friend of mine. You won't mind if she joins us? Walter. lay an extra place, please"
 The pretty widow seated herself between the two She laid her gold chatelaine upon the table. It con sisted of a slender chain from which depended a plain gold puffbox. small and square, purse for bills in sim liar shape, and a gole match case.
 On the shiny gold surface of each article were scribbled the words Della" and below: April 18th"
 Natalie glanced idly at the writing then she started. That scrawly hand the sight of which invariabl, caused a thrill-why, it was Far. rel's
 Della" and April 15th"-the datt tucked demurely in corner, ant written small and almost unintelli l gibly-oh, what did it mean? l Had this woman and Farrel had { love affair? He had never offered Natalie gift of any sort. April 18th He had been in Paris then, Ion busl' ness" The horse chestnuts in th, | boulevards were budding. He haG written her a fascinating letter, tell ing her he wished that she was there
 And now--this gift! | It's charming owner was talking tt ] her vis-a-vis, vivaciously. And Nat i allie observed the extreme smartnes of her dinner gown.
 | Miss Natalie had met her Water loo-and realized it!
 No, Farrel, I really can't come or with you to the Nemesis club to 1 night. Thank you-another time when I'm not quite so much en gagged" She turned to the girl 9 her left. You must come and se' me some time. Miss---er-er-l didn 1 catch the name?
 'Ducane. Miss Natalie Ducane,' said Galt, with g suave smile. H. watched his friend to note the exac effect of that announcement. She lifted her pretty head witl l sudden eagerness, like a high-bret | charger scenting the battlefield. l "Ducane?" she said "Ducane? once met MT. Duncahe-a charming man--you aren't by any chance | I relative of his"'
 T am his niece" Natalie felt tha in this, at least, she scored. T hv' with him"
 You lucky girl" This in all hon esty. For MT. Duncane's income ant social standing were well known 1 They put a different. complexion oi her attitude to Natalie. "Of course ! I've heard about you, dear. Farre 1 has often spoken of you--' Thi was a shot at random, but a skilfr | one.
 "Do come to tea tomorrow after noon," she cooed. It would be polio, to cultivate acquaintance with tn rich Mir. Ducane's niece. Also l. watch-and possibly retard-progres 1 of affairs between the girl and Far rel Galt i've teeny-Weeny ila 1 not far from the Plaza" She gav the exact address. with direction how to find the place.
 Natalie accepted the invitation rather against her will. painfU l curiosity had spurred her to accep'
 Thereafter, the dinner wen smoothly, even merrily. Mrs. Des mond was a bright. amusing com l panion-when she chose.
 Did you like Della, eh?' Gal asked as they drove to the clut Shes not bad little woman, in he way. We've been pals for lon' | time, in casual, platonic sort 0 fashion. She's a kind of relative YOU know-a second or third cousil so I have to be decent to her
 A cousin! Farrefs invention was happy thought. That explained n gift! Oh what a jealous little idio she'd been!
 T admire her awfully. And IT
 looking forward to going to he' place tomorrow,' she said bravel,
 ..H'm. H'm'' Her companion wasn quite so pleased on this particula point. He wondered just what Ia behind the invitation. Madame Den invariably had a motive. Affairs progressed smoothly afte that. Gait played the devoted ca. alier as they danced and Natalie mood was a beatific one. \ He took her home at half-pas eleven. o'clock. Seated in the taxi romantic and encouraging gloom, sh