The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-04
THE BETTER MAN
LV-GETTING ORGANIZED
By MAY CHRISTIE
Copyright. 1921, by the Mcclure Newspaper synd

The story so far;
 Camille Westbrook. with whom
 Elliot Glyn. "The Nam from South Africa" is in love is on shipboard
 with the gay little butterfly, Dolly
 Mortimer. They are journeying to Johannesburg. near which town Dol ly's husband lives. Camille and Elliot are in love with esch other, but Elliot Is afraid to engage himself to Camille because of his poverty. She has seen his name on the passenger list She has in her possession a ring belonging to Reggie Van Tyle. man about town" to whom she has lent money with the ring as security.
 Remembering the secret interview in Paris. Camille hesitated when Dol ly asked her about Reggie. The ring on whose security she had lent Reg gie a considerable sum of money was in her cabin at that moment, in a small, locked jewel-case. It would be advisable to deposit that case in the purser's safe. There might be light-fingered folk aboard and some ough-looking emigrants were in the steerage who might take it into their heads to prowl beyond their own precincts.
 Luckily. Dolly did not wait for a reply, but rambled on:
 T saw Reggie in London two days before we sailed He looked rather wn-at-heel, I thought ... for him, at least. He's usually so we'll dressed and so smart He said there was A chance we might see him out in Africa, but l don't believe it. He didn't look as though he'd got the passage money. Indeed" Lowering her voice confidentially-'he half hinted I might help him, but 1 didn't 'rise.' I'm fond of Reggie in a way, but the worlds full of charming men. isn't it? And when one is married, it doesn't do ito make oneself con spicuous in connection with anyone but ones husband" This with an air of righteousness that amused her listener, who knew Dolly we'll In deed, at that very moment, the com placent little lady's eye was rowing round in search of new male realms to conquerl
 T rather like the ships doctor,o she proceeded. He's well-bred and he looks as though he'd had an un- happy love-affair. He needs mother ing. poor darlingi"
 Into her face came the far-off look that betokened what she called a "platonic friendship" She was ex- acting in these friendships, and quite capable of making things unpleasant for the other party. should they show the slightest symptoms Of transferrings their allegiance else where.
 T somehow don't think he's your sort" venteured Camille, with indis- erection.
 But before Dolly could frame response the person under discussion himself appeared, and asked them both to be present at meeting in the library in one hours time.
 We want to form "a sports com he explained, and a secre- tary and president must be elected. There ought to be an entertainment committee as well, but perhaps we can combine the two. Remember. Miss Westbrook, we're counting on your help.''
 He smiled pleasantly at Camille. 1 She struck him as a fresh and very charming girl. Dolly's type was l much more commonplace. Indeed. l such type appeared on every trip | he had ever made. and rather bored | him.
 The meeting was self-conscious business. The passengers had not | yet had time to get acquainted with | each other, and were stiff and shy.
 It devolved on the doctor to rise and explain the object of the confer ence. The audience hearkened co | him with depressed air.
 When it came to he proposing of | sports aead silence |