The evening world. Newspaper, March 8, 1920, Page 14

a ot eee ee en BIG CORPORATIONS COLLECT - THEIR TAXES FROM PUBLIC _ __ AND ADD INCREASE IN PROFIT «.....-. With the cost of shoes and other necessities mounting higher and Righer eighteen months after the armistice was declared, The Evening World to-day begins a survey of the increased profits of corpbrations engaged in the manufacturing and handling of clothing and food. a The attention of Attorney Genercl Palmer especially is calied to ‘ the Bvening World's articles, iy AMERICAN HIDE AND LEATHER COMPANY It was a popular theory, when the Government began to levy its war ‘abd excess profit taxes, that it was intended to make big corporations pay 4@. ‘a debt which the war necessitated. The theory is being proved a fallacy. out of profits a part of the cost of carrying on the war and interest on tne It is true that a high rate of taxes | is being levied on corporations, but the tax is neatly transferred to the shoulders of the public, As matters now gtand, big corporations are in a broad sense simply acting as coliect- ing egencies for the Government. . It, 4s dificult to find an ifidtance where profits of big corporations are | being impaired by the high rate of . taxes the Government is now levy- | img. On the other hand, it is not an matter to find a big corporation, in its capatity as tax collect- ing agent for the Government, that ig not taking advantage of its posi- tion by adding a gufficient amount to the saies price of its products to not only cover the Government tax but immoderately swell its own profits as well. Al ‘ Similarly, much ado has been made by big corporations by the increased weale which they have n forced to meet. With almost every Ramee ware demand, statements are iéeued by big corporations setting cut into if the wage demand is gran’ ed. But these wage increases, as ate profite will be further expanded. and who perplexedly inquire such prices should b: lime making both ends meet. pany. 5,600,000 calfskins, The business BANKING AND FINANCIAL. _ The Stoneham [ WEEKLY MARKET LETTER issued every Friday since 1908,N covers the active issues of the Oils, Industrials, Mining and Curb Securities. No-one interested in the market, either as an investor or specula- tor, should fail to place his name! on our mailing list, to receive a copy of this Fantct-valee publi- cation. Ask for Copy No. 30. Chas. A. Stoneham & Co. calfskins and enametied and pate’ cont. of the output of the company. he Company was organized in 1: that it paid grossly exorbitant for the plants it acquired and that ning of the war, Utled. was able to show GGth st., Tussday, 2 P. M, NERAL OHUROH, Broadway, peat piace ies @Gth st.. Tuesday, 3 P.M. OSBPH. Services CAMP. BELL FUNERAL OHURCH. Broadway. S6th ct, Wedneuday, 4 KAMN,—AUGUST. Services CAMPBELI, FUNERAL CHURCH, Broadway, e¢th @, Sunday, i1 A. M, in profits seems to furnish swer of why present shoe pric 0 high. Cleanser in the blue and white checkered tube. Sold Everywhere—Every Drug Store in New York Has It: A FUNERAL ARRANGEMENT once placed in our hands, means atten- tion to every detail, no matter how seem- ingly unimportant. The Superior “CAMPBELL SERVICE" is the result of years of experience combined with the ercere selec- tion of materials at the right price. Call “‘Columbus 8200” Any Hour, Day or Night FRANK E. CAMPBELL THE FUNERAL CHURCH fine, 66" St. RCTARIAN 23” Styeet at 8” Ave; a forth how much their profit will be! 4m. the case of taxes, are added to the burden the ultimate consumer must carry. And wage increases furnish an excellent pretext for jacking up Prices to such an extent that corpor- Purchasers of shoes, who have been confounded by the exorbitant prices they are forced to pay nowadays, why are met with the answer that they are caused by high taxes and the higher production costs. The supposition would be that producers must be having a difficult An excellent illustration of the ex- tent to which big corporations are suffering because of the present high cost of doing business and the high cost of living as furnished by the American Hide and Leather Com- ‘This corporation's tanneries and plants have an annual output of approximately 3,000,000 hides and the company is chiefly the manufac- ture of all kinds of shoe leather, in- cluding cowhide, black and Russian leathers which constitute over 90 per merican Hide and Leather and it was nearly everywhere said at the |, » time throughout the leather trade |‘). & 5. ¥. ar Oma, & Ohio % o ices |C: Mak, iy gt, ay it OH RL & Pac, 40% Was greatly overcapitalized. Perhaps G4. Geet Weer, this is the major reason why it was unable to earn, until after the begin- the 7 per cent, cumulative dividend to which the $13,000,000 preferred stock was en- In the first year after the beginning of the war, or in 1915, the company its preferred dividend earned with a small balance to spare. After allowing for the pre- 41 Broad New York. ferred dividend the balance on the = Raa common stock was eq to 44 cents —Teronto per share. Since that time the trend of profits has been steadily and sharply upward. Conversely, and what is particularly significant, is that despite heavier tax ‘burdens and rising costs of every- WELTRAMINI.—OCHARLES. Services at AME FUNERAL CHURCH 17,759,076 + Tuesday. 11 A. M.! “Tn the seventeen years from tl Services CAMP. is A conceany: 6 mpany, because of its overcapitalization, was able to pay only % per cent. on the preferred stock, Since the beginning of 1916 it has paid 21 per cent. on the referred. This record of phenomenal growth one an- NULYNE LABORATORIES, Jackson, Michigan. * a a Ad, Ramely OL BH 0% + | Adv, Ramely pt. os @ Ajax Ruther UK) 78 + Alaska Gold he 1% + Alstke Joneas 2 2% + Allle-Ohaimers o 8 +3 Am, Agr Chemical. “S8% 86% 8% + 2% ‘ <1 B 90% BM + % “4 42 44 + 1% lam. 181% 191% 137% + 6% Am, Oat & Fay pt 113 3 6 + hk Am Cotten O11... ©% @ on + 2h H Am, Sometn . os 34 ST Drug Sym 3 18% HH Am. Hide &@ 1... Nh We K+ % H&L of... 108 9% 1 + 5% Am. A + Am, + am t Am, + +4 it~ | Am +% in | Am, + 1% -~ + & od +1 . + % Am, = dt Aa. +k + % + 2% + % +7 +oeK 2 we + 24 Warrett Ov us 4% +68 Reth, Motors . a 24+ & Beth Steci s Ss +1% Beta Biel B.. We UK + Oe Ben. Kap, Trans, 6% 18% 184 Burma Bro 106 108 Butte Cay, & Zi ” 10% — % Butte & Superior, BOX x3 Butterick Lo 19 le Ot Ouaiin Gent. Ot. Lm Calif, Packtog 2% Galil, Petrobum % mt Cali. Petrol. of. % Canadian Pac, Coat, Leather . Varro De taco |Unandier ator ‘Chile Copper . Chino Copper Col, Fit & lava, 90 ‘Columia Graph Cota thing entering into the cost of manu- % facture, the ratio of ‘bas |! % with one exception shown a decrease 1 with each succeeding year. In 191% % the company saved 6.70 cente out of | ar —10 each dollar of gross business: In - % spite of rising costs of manufacture |=. — % and higher taxes It was able to Ges Wu, = 4 expand its margin of profit in 1919 to | (OES aan Sh + % 12.7 cents for each dollar of business, | Cm near = +e ~]or more than twice as much as in| Case Marm ss t aio: A. Gen, Motor 12 n n—¥% ‘Goudwtch . Te We 12% + 1% w +1 He + BELL FUNERAL CHUROH, Broadway, : + 2500 Candelaria Mo. ry tet ill coy “ 1% 1% % Hteet let MIBCELLANBOUS. Shares, High, Low, Last. ) 100 Acme Goal. co os 400 armour Leather 16 15% 2000 Cuban Am Suger. “ a 16000 Gevere! Ashalt ro) * 1000 Orpheum Ciroult aw 32 1700 Perfection Tire “% ~ m n ai 9300 Submarine Boat... 1% 1% The “Milled-in-Oil” Tooth Cleanser | +0 v. s. sian. 3 am | 1700 Will Baumer Candie ay » 4100 Dominion Ot 1 Removes the Causes | tis ii'tin’mc 00 STS 2000 Federal O11 % ae] 3000 Glenrook Ot % 34 of Pyorrhea se oad ie in Ts 1800 Merrit, OU ” Pyorrhea is the RESULT of soft gums and un- INDEPENDENT OLS % vlean teeth. Chlorox not only removes tartar and | 38000 Allied OU ......0.5 _ all impurities deposited on the teeth, but massages |!150 Brea ou Md gums to healthy hardness; thus it prevents| {00 Simms Pet “ Pyorrhea, Chlorox contains no soap or grit. It] 1400 Sadly Ou “a protects delicate tooth enamel from injury and re- | 2208 Called Pars) stores the natural beauty of healthy teeth without ee injury to tooth structure. The secret of Chlorox| sso alss-Br. co) Wan effectiveness is the process of “‘milling-in-oil.” Ask | seo *Bexaer Divide. i. your druggist for the “Milled-in-Oil” Tooth | 4000 *Bel&ser Est. 1% 166 al Bat oes +1% + 2% + % + 2% +s *% +% ie ao Mextraa De Mineni +% Moline + % Midvaie +1% om, & a, -% M.. Ke -% J +1% + % +1 | +24 + % + % + + +++ Lteeeet + % —-% + 1% +% - +2 + i { 5% teehee + | Cy 7 Ftbet tet ete re HFe Ete tt +12% | sat + 1% +a + 3%) + 1%] + 2% | et + 1%" +1% | ae + %] + 4 | 1% | bn : % Willys-Overland ... % ‘White Motom ..... % Wilma Co. . Worthing Woowworth .. “ Shares, 2500 Divide Ext 400 Bureka Holly 30500 *Gold Devel 19000 *Gold Silver 12500 *Gold Zone 7000 Knox Divide . 2000 *Nevada Ophir 3000 Prince Con . 12800 Roper Group 8000 Bilver King of aris 9000 *Silver King Divide . 4500 Success Min 2500 *Tono Cash Boy , 6000 *Tono-Jim B 2000 *White Caps 1500 White Caps Ext . 2000 *Wilbert . *1000 Yerrington . BONDS, 5000 Allied Packer 6s ... 5600 Anaconda Cop 6s 5000 Helgium Gov Gs 21 . 5000 Belgium Gov 6s 25 30006 CC & At Louis Oe a 11000 General Electric Gx w 1 09 98% 000 Inter ROT Te 67M 00M $000 Humian Gor Sigs Mie 2000 Russian Gov Glas .. 38% TUG CATCHES LIN Within a few moments of the ti their cab and walked toward the Btre: Despite their protests were barred from the ship. They found t! Street and back ‘They got ship _in_enkistroam. an hole, exactly the same experience. ip sailed iy to the captain of the t the Gaptain took the FOR HAMMERSTEINS plank, When they presented their pass- ports they were told they would have to have them vised by the British mili- tary representatives at No. 44 Whitehall ‘They made a wild race to Whitehall ‘were put on board through a Mr, and Mrs. David Paul Brown had ‘Williams, a director of the Bank of Montreal, arrived at the pier efter the “A pundred, dollars if you put me aboard fifty if you miss!" ne yelled Louls Pulver. the offer and ER me set tor the Imperator to sail for Southamp- | ton and Cherbourg from Pler No. ban North River, to-day Mr. and Mrs. Ar- | Wing 1p; Pelicwind 108; sana thur Hammerstein leisurely got out Of | veien, ro wang: they he big a tug port= Fred HAVANA ENTRIES. RAGE TRACK, HAVANA, March 8.— The entries for to-morrow’s races are as follows FURST okt Butler, RACKFive avd one-tait furlongs; and ward: claiming; pure #4. 101; Houndel, 106; ' "he Hacde 100; Jarmee “ienty. Maggie’ Mirror, 110. SHOUND RAOE—Five and onedalt furlongs; three-year-olds and © $000, —— "Lazio May. iki; ‘Prince Boner SSD O' Gerl, 108: mich Girl, 104; *W'rinoe Waay, 100," * Will 100; *Hr Oliver, 10D; eo Niraamere,” 100; Goyie, Wik; ‘The Snob, 114 Surat, Ji, H TULL RACK. 8ix furlong: and upwor!: claiming: ume BDO, 4 SBtarion Halli, 1G; Bkeerface, 105) * All ow, 106% "Blondel, 408; Homir, 110: *Our Foner, FOURTH RACP—Mite and onsmixteentth; Dandiran) $800: Uaree-sene cls acl" awa slakniont, Horace Lert, Ut; Black -Vrinee 10 ‘Tom Rpecial, 96; Nalvatelle, 103; Berlin, Freemantle, 112, FUPTH RACE Mile and fifty yunle: end wweed; claiming Wi: SIXTH RACK Mie and . . . 107; Mie “Sopra Fes es, rack fast, | i! after my own style.” By MAY E'S GAMBLE CHRISTIE The Most Gripping, Thrilling Novel of the Year. She gave her heart to Yet a cloud of mystery hung over his life. it a hidden past? Was it a dual personality? Thrills and excitement, suspense and surprise blend in each fascinating instalment. Miss May Christie has woven with rare skill this charming story of entangled hearts. him the day they met. Was oe HE man looked thinner and mo! abashed. “Sorry I didn’t show up af guv’nor! CHAPTER VII. THE DOPE FIEND. re ill than ever, but not in any way t your little party at the Bath Club, Fact ts, I was ill and couldn't come!" “I'm sorry,” said Jim Dalton, eyeing the other keenly He had his own suspicions as to what had really happened. The yellowish tint on the thin, drawn face—the trembling hands—the strange look in the pupil of the eyes | —these were familiar symptoms of the drug fiend! “Where's the suit you were going to get out of pawn with the money I gave you?” went on Jim. “I lost the money, guv’nor ¥ “You mean you drank it—spent it on drink and drugs!” ly, scorn in his voice. “Opium,” said the down and outer was the better part. “It did me for two days and nights in a Chinese opium den.” “and now-\—?” inquired Jim tenta- tively. “Oh, now"—the other shrugged his | shoulders—“now there isn't anything left except the river!” Maudlin tears sprang to the man’s eyes. Jim, however, was not at all im- pressed. He had met this unstable type before, and he gauged the shal- lowness of their emotions. Aloud he remarked indifferently: “You wouldn't be sucn a tremendous loss to humanity, after all!” ‘A truculent look crept to the down and outer's face. F “J would! There's sorheone that‘ud miss me, sure enough—if you'll only gimme her address——” “are you referring to your wife?” said Jim. The other nodded. was on the stage in London.” “ghe is—but I don’t know that I'd be justified in letting you know her whereabouts!” Jim's tones wero scarcely flattering as he eyed the re. cers Some on, guv’nor—Luoy's mighty fond of me. Just tell me the theatre where her show !s on! Perhaps, reflected Jim, it might be weil to concede with this request, This actress woman evidently was keen to meet her ne‘er-do-well husband. By her visit down to Surrey she had proved that fact. “She's playing at the Colladium— maybe the doorkeeper will give you her home address.” Jim thrust a coin | into the man’s hand. “And for heav- en’s sake, try to look a little smarter before you go to see her—or your wife will eurely get a shock!” ‘At half-past seven that evening, Lucille Derange sat before a modest meal in her tiny flat preparatory to departure for the theatre. Once more she was feeling blue— and very lonely. Her thoughts were inging back to the old days in Xrrosethowe days when she had been in love. She failed to hear the ddor-bell ring, and the sound of Mrs, Pitts admitting some one to the flat. It was only when the sitting-room door opened and a tall, slouchy figure stood directly before her that she ed up. “Lucy!” said the stranger softly, ingratjatingly. ‘Lucy, don't you know ett MY1e took a step towards her, holding out his hands. “Lucy!” Reproach was in his voice, his eyes. “Lucy, what sort of a we come is this for a man who's been hungering and thirsting for a sight of you these last three years?” He flung his hair back off his forehead with the old gesture that she knew so well, revealing the jagged scar. | ‘Lucy, aren't you going to say you're glad to see me She found her voice at last. “It wouldn't be the truth—Jim!* The down-and-outer scowled—and when he scowled his whole appear- ance was rather terrifying. But Lu- cille wasn't in the least afraid. She knew this man too well—and all his weaknesses “How did you find out where 2 stayed?” inquired Lucille. “Oh, I met a rich Johnny down by the Embankment”-—— the down-and- outer thought it well to omit the oir- cumstances of their meeting, when had tried to rob the said “Johnny’ and had been ignominiously caught— “when he heard my name was Dalton, he asked at once if I knew you. Curi- ous, wasn't it?” “What did he look like?’ asked Lu- oille. OetK good-looking fétlow—something Here the prodi- gal puffed out his runken chest. "Now that I come to think of it, he might have been my brother—we were go darned like each other!" “{ndeed!" commented Lucille, with | impatient scorn. “Don't get angry, Lucy—just let me come and see you sometimes, dear, for the sake of old times!" His voice held a whining note that was meant to be peculiarly plaintive. but that somehow missed the mark. ‘‘Mean- time, could you let me have little money? I'm horrtbly rd-uy “You always were!" said Luoille snappishly. ‘No, Jim, even though in the eyes of the law you are still my T'm not going to support “You said she! said Jim qylet- frankly, deciding suddenly that candor you. I'll probably get a divoree”— He started to iis feet. “You haven't any grounds ‘Oh, yes, I have—desertion “That isn't enough—according to your English law!” “We'll see about that,” said Lucille darkly. “Meantime, I've got to go off to the theatre. Don’t let me keep you.” ‘Lucy, just a fow shillings—I've got to have it!” ‘The derelict’s hands were trembling. “For what?" sharply on him. “Opium!” he whispered. She wheeled round She thrust him out of the flat ana shut the door. THE THEF?. AVING received no answer to H the letter she had penned to Jim. Miss Shirley Marsh—a couple of evenings later—proceeded up to town to have a talk with Lucille, She could not stand the dreary suspense | | of waiting any longer. She hesitated at the corner of the |little street in Scho. And then it was that a figure closely resembling Jim appeared from Lucille's flat and set joff in an opposite direction. 5 Shirley's heart leaped. She must overtake that figure. She must talk with him, He walked so fast, the task was difficult. And finally she hailed a taxi, in- structing the driver that he was to |keep the tall, shalby young man in sight, ‘Twenty-five minutes later she was set down in a very slummy part of London, “"K’s gone up that dark alley, miss —you'd best be careful!” Shirley paid the driver and ran off intent on seeing Jim. however, that tle alley it wag almost dark. But there was Jim ahead of her! She rushed up to him with a [ittle breathless cry. He turned. A hand was flung across her mouth. His other hand snatched at her purse, She was jerked backwards up against a door, giddy and faint And Jim—her Jim, like any com- mon thief, had run away! A TIGHT co! NER. HIRLEY crouched against the rickety doorway, thoroughly alarmed. Her purse was gona She was alone in one of the slum- miest parts of London. And dusk was falling rapidiy. Her eyes—imploring—ftollowed the retreating figure of the man who had robbed her, the man who had been her lover! Not only had he stolen her purse—he had stolen also heart and happiness! She had come here in a taxi, She hadn't the least idea where she was. But she could see the neighborhood was entirely disreputable. To appeal to any of the rough-looking charac- ters who stunk furtively around these slums would be more than futile—it would be the height of folly. , What a fool she had been to follow Jim! A new and dreadful Jim had lately been revealed to her—a sort of “Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hdye" affair—a dual personality, It was a nightmare thought, but none the Jess it must be true. Not only was Jim married to another woman—he was,;anxious to add herself his list of victims, What were the counts against him? Attempted bigamy—lies and robbery! He was a frequenter of the slums, too. He was leading a double life, Psychology accounted for such things. But simple little Shirley shivered at the thought. From the public house at the end of the little alley came hilarious sounds of singing. Dreadful, tousle- headed women lounged in the open doorways. Half-clad children rolled about in the gutter, And unpleasant odors of decaying garbage filled the air, Just as she turned the corner a rough-looking man came stumbling through the swinging doors, He grinned on seeing Shirley, swung an arm out, caught her, crying: “Not so fast, my pretty one, not so fas Shirley could feel his hot breath on ner face, In vain sho tried to free herself. His grip on her arm tight- ened till she winced with pain, Dusk Was falling—in the grimy lit- | | A crowd collected round them. “Give us a kiss and don't be ‘aughty!” Peals of merriment greeted this drunken wally. : t me go—please let me go!” cried ‘Shirley, terrified. oa The sound of blows and shrieks came drifting down the alley, mingled with a string of oaths. regh, Hight. | Come on and watch juggested one of the ragged crowd. And Shirley found herself dragged back from w! e she came. A door flew open immediately be- hind Shirley, who had backed against the wall—anda Chinese head popped out, with leering, furtive eyes. A yel- low hand grabbed Shirley by the shoalder, . “You come in here, missy—me take care of you—me no hurt you!” Eagerness was in the Oriental voice and in the long almond eyes. Poor Shirley shuddered. She would rather face the drunken men than this leering Chinaman. . . « Things were indeed looking very black for * When suddenly the stout re of a taxi driver flung itself through the crowd, sweeping both men and women to right and left and catching Shirley by the wrist. It was the taxi driver who had_ brought her here. “Clear off, you blackguards! The police are coming!” He turned to Shirley, whispering in her ear: “Quick, down this opening! Run! ‘The old bus is waiting at the corner! I knew you'd get in trouble”—— At the magic word “police” the crowd fel] back—but only momen- tarily. “E's bluffin’ us!” “It’s all a bloomin’ lie!” “There ain't no cops, not wheres!” “'Ere, catch ‘em both!” Such reassuring cries only made Shirley and the taxi driver run faster. Jump in quic! He bundled Shir- ley unceremoniously into the vehicle, then sprang into the driver's seat, re- leased his clutch, touched the accel- erator—and the cam sprang forward. Not a moment too soon, either! For the shouting, hooting crowd had followed them. The denizens of the worst slum in London hated to be deprived of “sport.” ‘A half-drunk man sprang up deside the taxi-driver. But the latter ro- bust gentleman was quite a match for him. With his strong left arm he planted a well-aimed blow immedi- ately below his assailant’s jaw—and sent him sprawling back among his friends. ee “Drive me to Portman Square,” she said, giving a number. “Then I can pay you what I owe you—I have friends living there.” Mixed feelings struggled in Shir- ley's bosom as they rattled merrily through the London streets. She wo! vaguely what on earth she would say to Mrs. Arnold—how explain this predicament? The lat- ter lady was so whole-heartedly in- quisitive. She would want to sift the matter to the bottom. As they reached the house in Port- man Square the door opened. and David Burke came down the steps. He stopped in pleased . surprise when he saw Miss Shirley's pretty face at the window of the taxi, | “Oh, I'm 6o glad it’s you!” cried Shirley, in a relieved voice. Perhaps the dreadful interview with Mrs, Ar- nold might be avoided. “My sister and her husband have gone to a dinner party, but do come| in!" said David Burke hospitably. | Shirley sketched the amazing hap- penings of the evening. “And please give the taximan a |pound—for me. He certainly de- serves it!” she added in conclusion. jurke, professing thanks, doubled the amount. The taxi drove away. SHIRLEY CAUGHT. | 66\ OU certainly need a guardian, Shirley! Of all the wild- | goose chases that I ever heard of'— “Don't scold me, David—I'm so tired!” A hint of tears was in Shir- ley’s protest. “And I'm awfully hungry, too," she added naively. Burke's face broke into smiles, “You're just a ehild—a foolish little child that needs to be looked after and protected.” He led her up the steps ‘and fitted a latehkey in the door. A neighboring clock struck ten. “Come in, my dear, and the maids will get some supper for you.” They walked into the dining room and David rang the bell, He gave his orders, Miss Shirley seated herself in a big, comfortable arm chair beside the fire. For the first time in her life the protective attitude of David Burke appealed to her. Her whole heart warmed to him. ’ His kindness and his thoughtfulness after her recent dreadful experiences were very soothing. Moreover, it had now been clearly proved that David had been fairly accurate in his estimate of Jim Dalton! “He wrenched my purse right out of my hand and ran away—just like any common thief,” said Shirley dole- fully. “I can only think that the accident has turned his brain,” i} David was silent, He was not in| any way obtuse. And a shrewd sus- picion had been forming in his mind that Lucille’s erring husband—Jim Dalton's “double’—iad turned up again. “Did you any- that you saw him come from Lucille’s flat?” The ques- tion sounded casual. It wouldn't do to seem too curious. Shirley nodded “He was wearing awfully shabby clothes—but it was Jim all right. I'd know him anywhere,” she answered confidently. Burke suppressed a smile. As a matter of fact, he thought that Miss Shirley had been remarkably credu- lous throughout the whole affair. “Shirley, don't waste another mo- ment thinking ‘of the fellow! Forget you ever knew him, dear: “I think,” said Shirley, knitting her pretty brows together thoughtfully, and looking very solemn, “I think he Here a discreet maid entered with a tray of food. She set it on a@ little table close to Shirley. Then, noise- lessly, she closed the door behind her, eee sees and Burke tete-a-tete once mire. “Isn't this cozy and delightful?” Burke suggested, pouring Shirley out @ glass of wine. “Somehow I fee! now as though you actually belong to. me!” Shirley said nothing. Bet Burke's attitude, so respectful, so adoring, was immensely soothing to her wounded pride. : ‘A heart caught at the rebound!” be gad Burke, reading Shirley's mind. He knelt down on the rug beside her, holding both her hands. “Shirley, say ‘Yes’—and make me happy!” Before the girl could there was a sound of voices in the hall, the dining-room door was opened and Mrs. Arnold and her husband steod there, astonished, smiling. “Why. Shirley!” Mrs. Arnold's gim- let eyes took in the whole romantic picture—David on the hearthrug. right at Shirley's feet, and holding both her hands in his. Apparently Shirley didn’t mind. She had “given way” at last. “Oh, I'm so glad and thankful. dear!” Here Mrs. Arnold bounded forward. “You two—engaged at last —I heartily congratulate you both!” She bent and bestowed a peckish kiss on Shirley's forehead. “Welcome my sister-in-law-to-be!" she cried. THE NET TIGHTENS. HIRLEY turned helplessly from Mrs. Arnold and gazed expect- antly at David Burke, as though reeking some assistance from that quarter, To her astonishment, however, Da- vid Burke was smiling. There was a@ complacent smugness on his rather kindly face. “Thanks for your good wishes!” he nodded toward his sister. “And I'm sure Shirley wants to thank you too.” He rose to his feet, still holding Shirley's hands. “I'm going to do everything in the world to make this young woman happy!" be added, smiling. Shirley's amazement was so abso- lute that for a moment she couldn't find @ thing to say. Her hesitation was her own undo- ing. Mrs. Arnold kissed the girl again. “I always guessed you really carca for David!” she said briskly. ‘Well, after all, who wouldn't?” She turned smilingly toward her brother. The same complacent look was on ber face, too, “You must get the ring at once!” To Shirley's chagrin and dismay. David Burke replied: “I have the ring already—it's im my_ pocket.” He drew out a little leather case, and touched a spring. The lid flew open, There on a ded of white plush lay a platinum circlet, eet with dia- monds. Shirley hated it on sight! But what the young girl lacked in enthusiasm, Mrs, Arnold quite made up for! That good lady bounded forwanl with a little squeal of pleasure, “Tiffany's! Oh, how exquisite: David, | always knew that you'd got perfect taste! Why, Shirley, you're the luckiest girl!” “Mrs. Arnold, you're Quite mis- take She got no further with her Tittle speech, for—to her astonishment— David Burke flung an arm about her and kissed her full on the lips. ‘Then he turned to face his sister. Though he was smiling still there was a note of warning in his voice, 3 “Shirley naturally feels a trifle shy. Don't worry her. You see, Ta time to get her answer before you tn- , terrupted us. You've been a@ Nittie * premature, that's all"—— Here Mrs. Arnold made a coy re- treat, nodding gaily and reassuringiy toward Miss Shirley. “Come, Frederick!” She led her lite: husband toward the door. “Leave the love-birds alone! They don't want us old fogies spoiling sport! They've got to fix this matter up to-night!” ‘The immensely determined note jn Mrs. Arnold's voice struck Shirley with dismay. If that good lady could en- compass it there would be no escape this time! As the door closed behind them Shir- ley looked imploringly at Burke, “What an awful, awful mess!” she watied. “I don't want to be engages She pushed the diamond ring away {from her with a Jittle, pettish gesture. At that precise moment it seemed to her as though she hated the whole race of man. “And I want to go nie,” she added. In the silence which followed this re- mark the clear commanding tones of Mrs, Arnold were to be heard out in the hall at the telephone, “Is this the White Cottage, Win- cham? . Yes! ... Miss Shiriey’s here... in Portman square . Everything’s ajl right... . This t& Mrs. Arnold speaking... . Tell Miss Shirley's grandmother that she'll stay the night with me. ... An interesting announcement to be made to-mor- morrow. ... Be sure to tell the ola lady that... . I'm sure she'll be de- lighted!” Shirley bounced up from her chatr, and started towards the door, An im- mediate stop must be put to Mrs. Arn- old's gossiping proclivities. Why, she had practically announced the engage- ment over the telephone! ‘The parlor maid who answered the ‘phone at the White Cottage would be sure to spread the news all over Wincham! That damsel knew that Mrs. Arnold was the sister of the rich and eligible David Burke, landed proprietor of Surrey, It would be a giorious titbit for the neigh- borhood. .. .. “Oh, stop her! Shirley wailed. Please stop her!” At this juncture Mrs. Arnold walked into the room, She was beaming. Everything settled, I suppose? She glanced from one to the other. David nodded. Shirley must not be allowed to vacillate a moment longer, "Yes; everything's all right!” he has a moral kink somewhere, One side of him ts very good—the other very bad indeed. Like Dr. Jekyll and at ven you know, A dual person- said, and slipped th ring on Shir- ley’s finger. (Another fascinating chapter te- morrow.) ‘ > % estat o-oo