The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-14


 It's the only way: carry it off with good face.
 "Roliinsi I see. bit conscience stricken, imagine, over this nights work. No mattert You are welcome. You have the air of gentleman"
 I bowed.
 There wasn't anything for me to say, y'knsw. My nerves were begin ming to jump. I was waiting for that demmed door-bell to ring. The hobbies, y'know.
 Presently her gaze left me, travelled along the wall and stopped at the wall safe Her slender body quivered. She ran with a limp (due to the lack of one slippeF) to the safe and ex- plored it. Evidently she did not find what she sought, for she whirled with a gesture which would have ex- cited Naximova's envy. Demned lite tie spitfirei
 T have been betrayedi" she said; and there was human note in her voice, a break that hinted of tears. Brown hair. skin like Roman gold, out-doorsy sort. Oh, yes-deuced kissable. if you want to press the roint.
 Well, after this fiare-up, she wilted. leaned against the wall with her forehead on her arm. She appeared so forlorn that I wanted dreadful1y to console her. But I stood where I was, silent. By and by she broke away from the wall and turned to- ward me-with a smile. Bowled me over. Wasn't ready for it, y'know.
 T am in trouble" she said Will you help me?"
 Command me-" I said. without a culver of an eyelash. Dear lord knew what she had in store for me.
 Wait here, then-captain?"
 Captain Cameron, absolutely at your service. Miss Sheldon"
 sheldon? How did you learn my name?'
 'It was written in your slipper" But 1 might be one of the maids"
 sI laughed; and dash it, she seemed rather pleased
 T am glad Rollins cs.me to you. I'll take the slipper"
 AS you Americans say. findings is keepings."
 What? You refuse to return it?'
 Habit! I'm souvenir mad = hel- nets and buckles with Gott init uns on 'em, and German cheeses, which are good, and all that
 T see." She eyed meaoddly. Those wonder eyes of hers bored me through and through; and curious ly, l thought what poor, futile job : 1t would be to come home late, tipsy, to a wife like this and tell her you'd been sitting up with a sick friend. Mind you, bodily she was a Watteau; but there was the fire of paladins in her heart.
 "yery we'll" she said. wen dis -- cnss the slipper later. Just now I'm
 in tremendous hurry. I am going cfair for chA You may smoke"
 A moment later I heard her, in tie . hall teiephoning. Her tones were crisp. She was laying down a verbal barrage of some sort. 'Pon my soul, I needed a smoke. So ,, tried to roll one of your bally "makings'' and was getting along famously, when bang went the door bell; and I peppered the rug with to- bacco. It was violent ring, full of business. The Bobbies, Oh, knew what would happen. If the girl wasn't Miss Sheldon. then I was in for a devil of shindy. , Felt as though I had lost con- , , trol and was making tail-spin-faint feeling in the tummy. Of course I didn't answer the bell l wasn't a doorman or a butler, y'know. Pres- ently the racket ceased. and sighed with relief. I was in the act of sit- . ting down on the lounge, when l ! heard scraping noise and thud behind me.
 Put up your hands." l put them up, turning. The Bobby approached, fat automatic in his hands; and he handled it as if he knew what 1t was for. "Ha! Wall-safe stuff, huh? Fine , work! Auto reported seeing you climb the grille. But you've got gall to leave on these lights.'' T say, have little patience. Don't be hasty." Gan the chatter!" he roared back ! at me. And masquerading as British officer, tool"
 Suppose we wait until Miss Shel- don comes down?' The Bobby laughed. Nothing do- ing. Handsom-Is. The family are all out at the Long Island estate yeti" But, I say, Miss Sheldon is ups stairs, yknow!" a4 Why didn't you answer my ring. then?. "1s T was busy rolling a cigarette. . Better be calm until Miss Sheldon i, comes down. Know her by sight?"
 Sure. This is my heat.'' Tall statuesQue blonde?'
 Not in million years! Miss Shel- don wears no peroxide in hers"