The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1907-09-27

people down there are too iniSy mind
Ing their own affairs to interfer. with
mine"
A few moments later. swathci In q
long dark coat that fitted closely and
hid the folds Of her dinner gown. Miss
Grayson hailed crosstowu car. II
was cloudy evening that threatened
rain, and before she reached her des-
tination the storm broke wildly. the
great drops falling in gusts against the
car windows. The corner at which
Miss Grayson aiighted was utterly de-
serted. Pale CLEANS from half opened
tenement shutters and the dim. murky
yellow of the street lamps were reflect.
ed I'm the streaming cutters and the
sidewalks miniature pools. Miss Gray.
son splashcd briskly ahead, looking
neither to the right nor to the left,
till she neared her own abode and
turned her head to glance In the win.
dows. The partition of what had once
been narrow hall had been removed,
and the whole was turned into a spa
cious sitting room. The embers of q
half spent crate fire threw a softened
color over books and pictures, and the
dark. thin face Of little Tessa, who
was seated on the hearth rug.
swell. Tessa," called Miss Grayson.
opening the door and pausing a mo-
ment to wrest the key from the reluc.
tant lock. Ibid you sit up for met
And where's Miss EllistonT'
But Tessa's slow, sweet voice was
checked midway In reply. for Of a
sudden Miss Grayson was thrust vio-
lehtly into the room, and the half
| opened door was closed behind her.
Against 1t leaned the threatening fig
ure OF Crinaldo. his lips In an ugly line.
"What Go you mean by breaking in
like this:" demanded Miss Grayson,
ster2iy quiet. though a pulse beat hur-
riedly In her throat.
Griaaldo fixed his narrow eyes on
ser Angry red surged under the
browniS!i paIlor OF his skin. She had
taken his daughter. he said. bis daugh.
ter who earned for him. Now he had
come {" fetch Tcssa away. She would
not lie found second time.
Tessa was staring at window al
the other end of the room as If she
did not hear Grinaldo's words, but
Miss Graysons eyes we're oil the thin
ksSE knife that Gickersd in his hand.
'If TIE l?dy screama or Gala the
police. | st:ilia now" said Grinaldo
softly. with Il threatening gesture.
"0h. no YOU don't" cried Branton
Ridgeiy. crashing In the window with
his Willing stick and whiting over
the sill with the jump that had won
him medal at college. Beyond were
the amherli.:e lamps Of his waiting
hGIch,I the cabman whistling shrilly
for the police. Miss Grayson saw as
through maze the things that fol
lowed. Ridgely's arm striking out and
Grinaldo sprawling. She heard Ties
sa's cry Of relief. the startled voice oi
Miss EllistOn. who. panic stricken, was
descending the stairs. Lastly came the
police. II was Ridgely who told then
the necessary details: II was Ridgel!
who Gained the excited Miss Elllstoi
and half hysterical Tessa; It wa,
Ridgely who came to Miss GraysoI
when Il was all over with a ferven'
Thank heaven. I was in time"
"How did you know
"why. after you were gone I felt 6
premonition. so I took a cab and fol
lowed"
Miss Elliston had discreetly turned
her back. Miss Grayson lifted bunch
Of violets from bowl on the tabl,
and held them out TO him.
Instead of laurels." she began trem
ulously.
1T Couldn't can't-you see-that Is
- stammered Ridgely. coloring to the
roots Of his hair.
Their eyes met.
"Oh." cried Miss Grayson. with q
deep breath. then II was you who sent
them! And the money too"
"But the Initials" she questioned
perrlexedly after moments silence.
stand for Earnest Trifier.'" be said
lightly. II thought I'd like TO help
hut I'm pretty much Of thick headed
hlunderbuss and didn't quite know
how. You see. trifer wouldn't stand
much Of chance with you. would he
Miss Grayson?'
IAN ca"rpst triGer wou!d" she an
swcrel. lnoI:lng down at the vioIets
she still held IN her hand.
"Really?' cried RIGgcly. with de
lic'it half boyish In is impctUoslty.
YES. really" sail Miss Eleanor
Grayson In a tone that made Ridgely's
heart skip ut least three beats.
NIL Tk.u Hkaar.A