The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-05-21

l pavilion, where Jack Jinx's Society Syncopaters are holding forth, proving l popular.
 Elise's hand, and Elise uttering his name softly. l He wheeled about, as though intend l ing to hurry from the place. The sight of him aroused within Elise an impish impulse. She called: .Ahmed!" l He stopped and looked around. Fe- lice got to his feet with easy grace, and bowed. His eyes were smiling.
 "I am sorry intruded," said Ahmed stiff1y.
 "You have not intruded. Felice was just making love to me and was l finding it a little boring. Won't you sit down?"
 "Carissima !" exclaimed Felice, in mock reproach.
 Elise smiled at him. Ut is true. You make love delightfully, but one tires. Now both of you sit down and talk to me. I want to be amused" | They seated themselves, and Feilce talked. He was little ill at ease. He felt annoyed with Elise. She was too clever.
 They prepared to go at last, drifting 1 by easy stages to departure. l Elise bid adieu to Felice first, and then turned to Ahmed,
 "I am more than glad you came this afternoon, Ahmed. More glad than l can say" There was a soft gratitude in her eyes which Ahmed was easily able to misconstrue. Come again, won't you;"
 He bowed over her hand. He and Felice left together. When they had gone Elise leaned back and laughed, holding Neppo up above her head at arms length.
 Those two, Neppo," she said, will quarrel about me today. They will have an awful row. Don't you think it is lamusingT'
 Neppo chattered.
 On the way down to the street in the elevator neither Ahmed nor Felice spoke. Felice hummed little grooming song of Italy.
 When they reached the pagement Felice would have raised his hat and turned away, but that Ahmed stopped him.
 T would walk with you a little way" he said. There is something l wish to discuss"
 Ut will wait," answered Felice air. lily.
 Tt will not wait" Ahmeds eyes were very hard.
 Felice shrugged his shoulders. "What is it?"
 They turned into the St. Honore and strolled in the sunshine, Felice felt pettishly annoyed.
 Tt is of La Phalene I would speak" Ahmed said. "A very beautiful woman"
 "She is the woman I love, monsieur" Felice smiled, looking straight ahead. That does not concern me" Ut concerns you so much, Monsieur, that I insist on emphasizing it to you. When d man cherishes something beau ltiful and wonderful, he does not like to see it soiled by unclean hands" Felice had a thin cane in his hand, and for a moment he had heated de- sire to slash it across Ahmed's cheek.
 "AI0nsieur is pleased to be compli- mentary," he said.
 y intended an insult" answered Ab-
 
 That was clever of you. I should hardly have dreamed you capable of such subtlety--having seen you in the company of the lady you worship" | 'NoY' Ahmed was as restrained as Felice only in his restraint was a burning, throbbinE anger. "Well-we will abandon eubtlety and have some straight words should esteem it im- mensely if you would cease to see La Phalene." Felice' laughed aloud, "of course, you hardly expect me to obey that shall call it so--command?" q not only expect it. I shall en- force il"
 FeIice stopped. He looked ;acisively.
 .'Now listen. We have talked suffi- cientiys am her friend. You are Ter friend. So long as she is willing to see me, so long shall I see her.
 q seek not to choose her friends, But I certainly take on myself the task of protecting her from her foes. This Afternoon, when came in; she was genuinely pleased to see me, and her manner showed that my arrival had lshown her a way out of situation which was rapidly becoming embarrass- ing and, perhaps, even dangerous. say to your face, monsieur, that your intentions towards her are dishonor- able, that you are a scoundrel."
 FeIice was no longer the suave cos ImopoIitan. He spoke tremulously.
 "You are a Harp
 Ahmed knocked him down. It was swift, done without thought People passing stopped.
 Felice picked himself up, gathering his gloves and cane with maticulous care.
 The gathering little well-dressed crowd did not hear what he said, so fsoft was 1t.
 This is hardly the place-hardly the place. He was breathless, vibrant with rage. "But-we have a way, my people, in these affairs. My represen. tative shall call on you, monsieur. Meantime will wish you good after noon."
 He stopped a passing taxi.
 Ahmed walked slowly away.
 Tomorrow Inevitable.