The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-09

| Mary-all aglow with happiness, hur- ried to her room to dress.
 The evening that had promised badly was going to have a glorious ending. She was going to dine with Dick! ] All joy and smiles, then. she donned her pretty French blue evening dress, pinning one of Dicks roses in the gold lace of the coEsage. | And then she wrapped her velvet cloak about her.
 Together they entered the waiting taxi. 1 Mary, you're the prettiest girl I've ever seen," whispered Dick, as they rat tied along and the street lamps partially | illuminated his little companion T really mean it, Mary. I've never in my life met anyone that looked one-half as lovely as you do'
 Even in the old blue kimono?' quotn Mary, laughing. Dick had caught her 'unawares tonight. I'm afraid youl think me terribly unconventional" 1 When I saw you in the old blue ki- mono. as you call it, I thought you looked the sweetest, loveliest thing in the wide worl6,'' announced the infatuated Dick T stood for a moment-very quiet | ly-watching you at the telephone. Your face was all lit up and eager. Mary. You you kind of hypnotized me. Honestly, l you did And your face seemed to fall,
 
 | "As indeed I had" interrupted Mary. l'I was expecting to hear your voice 1 over the phone, and instead 1t was Kate's sweetheart" Dearest He moved closer to her. T l love to hear you talk that way. I'm such an internally jealous fellow, Mary where you are concerned Last night, for instance, felt hated that smooth tongued chap, Darlington Bellairs. By the way"-he frowned little-"don't you think it was dashed impudent of him to call on you at such an hour
 .,He arrived only a few minutes after you did" ventured Mary, mischievously, "and I shouldn't call you impudent-ex- actly.'
 Dick had to kiss her. "As long as you don't care for him, | I'll overlook his cheek.
 You know that don't care for him not in the way you mean" "Tell me I'm first, Mary-ah, please do! I'd love to hear it!' Cajolery was in Dicks attractive voice. He was smil- ing blissfully into Marys eyes
 "Conceited boy!'
 s.I'm not! I'm only very much in lover! "'OnIy?' Why the saving word?' .'Entirely, theni Oh, Mary, it's in your power to make me either wildly happy or miserable. There doesn't seem to be any middle course at all It's the queerest thing"
 Tt is, indeed" said Mary. mischief lurking around the corners of her pretty mouth. Extraordinarily queer!"
 "You little witch. I believe you were created for the express purpose of driv- ing me quite crazy!' "Conceited man! As though I-Mary Drew-were created for any such tri- fling purpose I'm surprised 1t you!'
 The taxi drew up with jerk outside a little restaurant; welcoming lights streamed out to greet them.
 "It's a quiet little spot, you won | mind. Nary" Dick paid the driver and dismissed him. Fact is, I'm just crazy to have you all to myself-and in the big. crowded places we may bump into some of your other 'beaux." why whom d'you mean?" asked Mary, innocently.
 'Oh. Darlington Bellairs, of course. Not to mention Julian Vandaveer." ..Dick, don't be horrid!' At mention of the latter name Mary gave queer little shudder. "Mr. vandaveer would never look at me-you know 1t"
 And why, pray?" Dick, on the defen- sive wheeled around.
 ssOh, I'm not smart enough for him not rich enough, or well dressed enough or witty enough--or worldly!
 "You'r an angel. Mary, and Wanda yeer's the other thing" commented Dick, with gruffness.
 ..He isn't fit to black your shoes. Thank goodness, the beggar realizes it, and keeps off; otherwise there'd be a ter rible lot of trouble for him!'
 T saw MT. vandaveer in taxi today