The citizen., 1900-06-22
HElRESS HUNTING

TO herself, 'or else she would have
been here long ago. Poor Justine!
Somehow things are arranged very
strangely in this world. | can't UNDER
stand what it all means, nor what l
have done that | should be rich and
courted, while Justine Maynard, who
was my classmate at Madame Paul.
mis-, trims dresses for living. | de-
serve no credit for the skillful man
agement of Uncle CrOtchley, whereby
my dollars became eagles. | only wish
she would let me divide with her; but
she has too much Of the naughty May
nard blood in her veins for that. I'll
go and see her."
And Ettie Hall ran upstairs into o
little bOudOir to tie on her hat. Just
as she came out the maid brought up
a card on silver salver
Elites telltale eyes sparkled as she
glanced at the Roman lettered inscrip.
ton ON the one side,
MARKHAM FERNLEY.
And then. taking it up. perused on the
reverse side the following words:
May | accompany you to the opera
tonight? Florine has a box and Sal.
terelli will sing. Yours, ever devOtedly,
Ettie caught up sheet of pink note.
paper monOgrammed in gold and hur.
riedly scribbled upon it the one word.
"Yes."
Give that to him." she said hurried,
ly.
Justine Maynard's little room was
no luxuriously appointed nest of lace
and gold and Administer. Bare and
cold and poverty y-stricken, its cracked
walls and sloping roof gained no glow
from the rosy sunset; and Justine her
self lay on the bed, with hands
pressed to her throbbing forehead.
"Only a headache. dear" she said.
essaying a faint smile. as Ettie Hall
hurried toward her. "That is all. And
l have been little worried by the
landlord; he will be back again pres
emily for the money that l shall not
be able to give him. If he would only
wait until tomorrow"
LET me pay him. Justine"
81 am not a beggar, yet, Ettie-nay,
do not look hurt. | know how tender
and large -souled you are; but | have
never yet accepted charity, even from
so dear a friend as you, and l never
will-no, not If die first. Tomorrow
| can take that satin dress home and
receive $40 for making it. That will
set me all right | should have re-
turned 1t tonight but this pain makes
a mere child of me-"
Justine" said she, "I've an idea.
I'll take this dress home for you. I'll
get the money and bring it back"
Nonsense, Ettie!'
every good sense, on the contrary"
And Ettie deftly placed it within
sheets of brown paper wrapping and
tied it up.
Come. where is it to go to?'
"ro Miss Fernley. in Middleton
square. Oh, Ettie! how shall l ever
repay you for all your kindness"
Ettie 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 Fernley's
new dress home For second her
resolution wavered, and then she re-
preached herself for even that Sec
ond'S indecision
"I'll he back very soon, dear" she
said, STOPPING to press her cool lips
to Justine's fevered brow. "And I'll
bring the money, too, or | mistake my
own talent at the debt collecting busi-
ness"
She hurried away with the bundle
neatly balanced in her arms, and
walked rapidly, lest her resolution
should fail her. 1t was not long
walk. for the Fernleys lived in Mid
dleton square, but few blocks dis
tant
A smart, blue-ribboned maid came
to the door.
Yes, Miss Fernley was at home"
and with supercilious insolence
which made Elites blood boil, the girl
pointed up dark stairway.
Just up there and you'll find her.
First door to the left"
Miss Ettie Hall followed the direc-
ti6ns and found herself i'll a twilight
apartment, where draped mirrors and
sweet, faint scents betrayed the mani
fold mysteries of young lady's toi-
lette
whats wanting? Why can't have
my nap in peace:" querOusly demand
ed Florine Fernley's voice. "Oh, it is
that everlasting dressmaker. Mark!
Mark. l want ten dollars
80 do ten thousand" retorted a
familiar voice from the next room.
But l can't have all l want"
"You borrowed twenty of me to hire
that nonsensical opera box"
"That was business, my dear"
Business. Nonsense! Give me the
money, l say" fretted Florine.
"Yes, business. my girl. Heiress-
hunting is as much business as spec
ulating on Wall treet, AZ the fair
Henrietta is fish that W Mt jump at
any ordinary bait"
Hush" cried Florine, sharply, and
then, turning to the soidisant dress
maker, she said:
1T isn't convenient to pay ye-1S 20 &C.
day. Call again next week or the week
after"
Excuse me-" answered Ettie in a
low but resolute voice; 81 must have
the money now"
"Must" retorted Miss Fernley as
she angrily rang the bell. "Mary, show
this person out"
81 decline to leave the dress until I
am paid for it." said Ettie firmly.
"Now, look here, you dressmaker
| girl" said the harsh voice of Mark.
ham Fernley, as he advanced from the
inner apartment, none of your impu-
dence. Leave the dress or I'll send for
q policeman and teach you your pro.
per place in short order"
Il would not do that. Mr.. Fernley,"
said Ettie. who had by this time re-
covered her self-possession complete
ly Il am not a 'dressmaking girl but
/ intend to collect the money that my
! friend has earned"
Struck by some accent Of her tone,
Markham Fernley paused a second,
then lighted the gas Ettie Hall delib.
erately threw back her veil.
The fair Henrietta she quoted.