The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-24

I've promised to marry Dick Calar- din" Eyes words fell like thunder bolt on Mary's ears. For breathless moment she stared~ incredulously at the fair haired speaker
 Then common sense came quickly to her rescue. Eve was referring to some other mani The fiance that she spoke of-why, it couldn't possibly be Dick! Dick. for the past five hours had been making deliberate love to her, another woman! The young man couldn't pos sibly be such rogue and scamp!
 Ewes light, affected tones broke in on Mary's meditations.
 How on earth did. you come to meet him?"
 "Meet--whom? A stammered Mary, coming back to earth.
 .Why, the man that I'm engaged to- Diek CaIardin!" remarked Eve petu> lantly. The man who was seeing you off just now-the rough diamond from the backwoods!"
 The heart of Mary sank. Her lips felt dry and stiff as she made an swer:
 "Your guardian, Mir. Darlington Bell lairs sent me down on business mat ter with his client"
 Eve leaned forward, curiosity print ed on every line of her pretty, shal- low little face.
 What sort of business, might l ask?"
 that might have made any girl less bold than Eve feel awkward.
 T can't possibly discuss business matters outside the office. If you want | Information the proper person 70 ask is your guardian, MT. Darlington Bel lairs."
 Eve made d face, half mockery, half d:sguest. Really, this upstart little secretary was too ridiculous, with her airs of mystery She must be put n | her proper place-and soon. She had been flirting, too, with the highly eli- gsble Dick Calardin. Why hadn't Eve but recently seen her gazing into the youn mans eyes and holding hands with him in a protracted, senti- mental parting
 And now this humble Mary Drew was actually trying to snub her!
 With a pretty, impulsive gesture one of Eyes principal assets in tho great game of camouflage-she leaned forward and touched Mary's knee with her ringed left hand. The light from above glinted on the diamonds of her engagement ring
 My dear, I'm awfully sorry" HeA voice was cooing and sweet. I'm an utter fool over business! And quite naturally you wouldn't wish to tell me office secrets! I apologize! But I'm so crazily fond of Dick Calardin that everything concerned with him must necessarily interest me. l Mary was quite naturally intuitive. She guessed that Eve was not sincere. | She guessed--and rightly, too-that this pretty ward of Darlington Bellairs was an extremely sophisticated and designing young woman, shallow and self-absorbed. That money and social position were her gods. And that 10 gain her own particular ends she was car able of much.
 l. The news of Eyes engagement te lycung Calardin had been blow. But Mary wasn't the stuff that's easily resiliency that wouldn't be broken or defeated.
 She didn't speak now, but her pretty softly-shining eyes met Eyes with outward calmness.
 Eve realized that she'd been prema- ture in announcing her engagement For said engagement hadn't definitely taken place. It would eventuate. oi course, in time-she told herself. Nc man. much less the simple type oi Dick Calardin, could resist Eve long. Mary-unless cautioned-mjght ruin everything by blurting out Eyes words to either Darlington Bellairs or Dick Calardin.
 And the fat would certainly be in the fire then" thought Eve, biting her | lips with sirritation.
 Mary noticed her action and won- dcred exactly what was passing in I Eyes mind
 Miss Drew!'' Again did Eve touch Mary's knee. I'm really frigh.fully worried. It's all because I'm crazy over Dick. And our engagement must be kept secret in the meantime. My guardian Darlington Bellairs, would