The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-04-18
Hunting an Heiress.

| herself, 'or else she would have been
| here long ago. Poor Justinei Somehow
| things are arranged strangely in this
world! l can't understand what it all
means, nor what I have done that /
| should be rich and courted. while JUS
| tine Maynard, who was my classmate at
Nine. Paulini's, trims dresses for iv-
| ing. She isn't to blame because her guar
! dian was a villain. I deserve no credit
for the skillfuI management of Uncle
Crotchley. whereby my pennies all be-
came dollars. l only wish she would let
me divide with her-but she has too much
Of the naughty blood in her veins for
that. III go and see her"
Just as she came out, the maid brought
up card on a silver salver. Her tell
tale eyes sparkled as she glanced at the
Roman-lettered inscription on one SIDE;
Markham Fernley.
And then taking it up. perused on the re-
verse the following words:
May 1 accompany you TO the opera to-
night? Florine has box, and Salterelh
will sing"
Please. ma'ah," said Barbara, the
swer."
Elite caught up a sheet Of note-paper,
and hurriedly scrubbed upon it the one
word, Yes"
'Give that to him." she said, and hur-
ried off.
Justine Maynard's little room was no
| luxuriously appointed nest. Bare, and
| cold, and poverty-stricken, its cracked
walls and sloping roof gained no glow
| from the rosy sunset, and Justine herself
! lay on the bed, with hands pressed to her
throbbing forehead.
only a headache, dear" she said, es-
wins fai
ried toward her THAT is all And I
have been little worried with the land
lord; he will be back again presently for
the money that shall not be able to give
him. If he would only wait until tomor-
row."
Let me pay him, Justine"
81 am not a beggar yet, Ettie-nay do
not look hurt, but I have never yet ac-
cepted charity, even from so dear friend
as you, and I never will-no, not if 1 die
first. Tomorrow L can take that satin
dress home and receive s. for making it,
: should have returned it tonight, but this
pain makes a mere child of me-"
Elite turned, and for the first time saw
a folded dress upon the table-a robe Of
satin, trimmed with lace.
Justine" said she, I've an idea III
take this dress home for you. I'll get
the money and bring it back"
Nonsense, Ettie.'
Elite deftly placed It within sheets Of
brown paper. wrapped and tied it up.
Come, where is it to go?"
ITO Miss Fernley, in Middleton square.
o, Elite! how shall I ever pay you for
all your kindness?''
Eta was tying a dark brown veil so
closely over her hat that Justine Maynard
never saw the deep dye on her cheek. She
was almost sorry she had offered to take
Florine Finley's new dress home. For a
second her resolution wavered. and then
she reproached herself for even that sec
ond's indecision.-
1t was not long walk for the Fernleys
lived in Middleton square, but a few
blocks distant. And Elite went up the
steps of the marble-fronted mansion, Won
dering if she should see Markham.
She was not certain, but was beginning
to suspect that she liked the handsome
young fellow, whose dark eyes and jetty
curls were such a counterpart of her own
blonde beauty.
A smart blue-ribboned maid came to the
door.
Eyes, Miss Fernley was at home" and
with supercilious insolence which made
Elites blood boil the girl pointed up a
dark stairway.
Just up there. and you'll find her. First
door to the left
Miss Elite Hall followed the directions
and found herself in a twilight apart
ment, where draped mirrors and sweet
faint scents betrayed the manifold mys-
teries of young ladys toilet.
What's wanting? Why can't I have
my nap in peace?" querulously demanded
FIorine Fernley's voice. 90, it is that
everlasting dressmaker. Mark Mark!
want So
80 do $4,000" retorted a familiar
voice from the next room. But I can't
have all want"
you borrowed $40 of me to hire that
nonsensical opera box"
THAT was business, my dear"
Business! Nonsense! Give me the
money, 1 say fretted Florine.
Yes, business, my girl. Heiress hunt
ing is as much business as specializing
and the fair Henrietta is a fish that won't
jump at any ordinary bait"
'Hush! cried Florine, sharply, and
then turning to the solidisant dressmaker
she said:
ut isn't convenient to pay you today.
Call again next week or the week after"
Excuse me-" answered ISIS Elite in a
low, but resolute voice: II must have
the money now" NJ
''Must"' retorted Miss Fernley. as she
angrily rang the bell. Mary. show this
person out
Il decline to leave the dress until I am
paid for it." said Elite, firmly.
Now, look here, you dressmaking girl
said the harsh voice Of Markham Fern
ley, as he advanced from the inner apart
ment, none of your impudence. Leave
the dress, or I'll send for policeman
and teach you your place in short order"
Il would not do that. Mr.. Fernley," said
Elite, who had by this time recovered
her self-possession completely. Il am not
a 'dressmaking girl but 1 shall collect
the money my friend has earned"
Struck by some accent of her tone Mark
ham Fernley paused second. then light
ed the gas. Elite Hall deliberately threw
back her veil.
And that was the last he ever saw OF
Henrietta Hall.-London News.