The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-23
The Siren Voice

l to glimpse tue TSSulldHL cLLcCL AIOui every angle, the phone bell rang.
 Not come down" she repeated, dis appointedly into the instrument. Why, darling, what's--what's the matter You don't need me any more? Oh y There was a long, regnant pause while the unhappy husband, made aware by her tone that he had decidedly put his foot in it, endeavored with marked lack of success to explain that he had thought that he was doing her favor by making it unnecessary for her to take the daily trip to his little one man agency office to receive telephone calls while he ran out for an hour to get a bite to eat.
 Don't you understand, dear?" he re peated again, feeling both sorry and angry, "that business always drops off at this time of the year? I can just run off and get my lunch and leave the office to get along the best it can with out anyone there-I naturally sup posed that it broke in upon your day to come down here at noon. I-I-Oh, come if you want :" he ended, petu- lantly.
 I'll never set foot in your dirty of- flee again as long as I livel" declared the bride of a year, slamming up the receiver.
 Of course there had to be a Mrs. Ritchie ;" there always is! One of that species who invariably happens to drop in right after a quarrel-has been mar ried for all the way from ten to forty years, to anywhere from one to half a dozen poor unfortnuates, and knows all about men," This Mrs. Ritchie was as salutary to the happiness of a newly married couple as are most Mrs. Ritchies, she arrived exactly ten min utes after the phone call and of course instantly noted Helen's red eyes. Scent ing, immediately, work for the worldly wise she sailed in with a will. With | what patience she was able to sum- mon she listened carefully to Mrs. Williams stirring tale of oppression and brutality, and then:
 "Why you poor dear! It's as plain as the nose on the great stone face downtown, and-who knows-maybe gum-chewing little flirt! I tell you. all the same. Take my advice, you pOOE3 JOu SCt uONii there, this minute. You'll get there about the time he leaves. Follow him, and if you see him with an er-chicken, call an officer and have them both ar- rested. The police court blotter will make excellent evidence-you should be able to get beautiful alimony terms. Would you care to have me go with you; of course you would-you poor, poor little helpless thing. Get right into your wraps this instant"
 When the militant Mrs. Ritchie with her breathless and somewhat fright ened and already slightly penitent charge, left the bus they walked di- rectly to the Hamilton building, losing no time; straight into the elevator and up to the eleventh floor they hustled. There they were stopped by a locked door bearing the sign: Jos. Williams, Insurance Broker" Mrs. Ritchie look ed very much disappointed.
 He's gone!"
 "Yes," agreed Mrs. Williams, trying to look chagrined, hardly able to con ceal her relief. Sadly the frustrated manager of affairs domestic led the pretty wife back to the elevators and again to the ground floor. As they crossed toward the door the older wo- man stopped and narrowed her eyes to stilts; her mouth formed decidedly unpleasant and uncompromising hori- zontal line over her clenched teeth as she shook her head slowly and spoke in a sibilant undertone.
 Maybe I'm all wrong, honey; but I've got a hunch! You go into that booth there and call his office". ....
 When Mrs. Williams emerged from the booth she was decidedly pale and visibly unnerved. Her voice was trem- ulous as with downcast eyes she re- ported the result of their strategy.
 "A-a woman answered the phone. She said that Mir. Williams was out and would return at 1 o'clock ]!
 'Ah, ha," missed the redoubtable Mrs. Ritchie. hands on hips, head nod ding. 'Ah, ha, and the door was lock ed Now-what have you to say didn't tell you?" Helen fought va liantly for self-control; she made her facial muscles hard, and gritted her teeth together in an attempt to force back the tears from her burning eyes, but they came anyway. Silently she started toward the door, but Mrs. Ritchie was not to be cheated out of the denouement. Instructing the dis trait woman to wait in the lobby she walked to the next street intersection, calmly buttonholed the traffic bluecoat, in spite of his vehement demonstrations and led him back to the building.
 Upstairs once more, it was the work of second for the husky Celt to shove the door in taking the lock along with it. Inside they all three paused in per. plexity the room was empty! Slowly Erins son turned upon the temporarily embarrassed commander in chief of the expedition. Wordlessly he put his hands upon his ample hips, like an irate rooster's tail. His whole body undu- lated with the sarcastic shaking of his head as the corners of his mouth tilted up in silent scorn.
 Both women sighed with relief when Mir. Williams cheerful countenance ap- peared in the doorway.
 "What'nl," he began, noting the group and the disconsolate screws hang ing dejectedly. "What'n'lw With a little cry of relief Helen flew to him and buried her immaculate coiffure de- structively upon his friendly shoulder, letting loose the delayed flood.
 Joe! Can you ever forgive me? thought-Mrs. Ritchie said-oh, Joe, called your office number and q voice answered and said that you were out the door was locked-Mrs. Ritchie insisted-oh, Joe, I'm so sorry!' Joe Williams had heard of Mrs. Ritchie