The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-06-09
AN EARNEST TRIFLER.
By Constance D'Arcy Mackay.

By Constance D'Arcy Mackay. Copyrighted. 1907. by P. c. Eastman.
 What an age it is since I've seen you," said Branton Ridgely. turning with enthusiasm to Eleanor Grayson.
 The pink -slSirted candles on Mrs. Courtneys dinner table cast a glow across the pale oval of Miss Grayson's face. From under her dark. delicately arched brows her hazel eyes looked out on the world with starry seriousness.
 The last time we met" he went on was at the Van Nestor's tennis tourna- ment on the 17th of September"
 Miss Grayson laughed.
 What a memory for dates, suppose you also recall each bit of our converse tion?'
 Every word Do you remember call- ing me a trifer?"
 Did I. Well, I recollect your-te1ling me that I was an cratic. headstrong young woman. That was two months ago, and I don't think either of us have changed much since"
 T accept the rebuke,'' said Ridgely, meekly
 Isn't it pity to waste such good material! Instead of a leader of cotil- lions you might be a leader of men"
 And isn't 1t pity to hide yourself from your friends and stay In that set clement, toiling and slaving?"
 And enjoying 1t more than anything I've ever done, before," supplemented Miss Grayson. warmly. That's all very well, but how am I ever to catch a glimpse of you? I was | just beginning to know you last sum | mer and now your time is taken up morning. noon and night and you | haven't a moment to give me. And you'll end," he predicted savagely. "by | falling in love with one of the work CTS down there-unless you're already interested in someone else
 Such frankness merits frankness in return. I am deeply interested In some one But your first surmise was wrong. The hero in this case Is quite unknown. I've never seen him. Newer mind. Erowled Ridgely, he'll avow himself soon enough when he's found you've begun to care" well. then. he'll have to change his present tactics" answered Miss Gray son. lightly. Do you know. it's the most mysterious thing! Each week through the mail I've been receiving an envelope filled with money. Inclos- ed Is a printed note which says: For the needy and it's signed E. T..
 Strange" murmured Ridgely. ''Yes. and there's more-' "More?'
 T mean each day there's bunch of violets, too, and the same initial on the l card"
 '"rhe deuce :" said Redgely. Well. | and what then"
 Then? Oh. there's nothing more. The flowers continue to come. and though have no cIew as to who F. T is. I continued to accept both"
 How do you know he's a man?"
 What woman would be so-so sys- tematic?"
 True And do you wear the flowers he sends?'
 Sometimes"
 Lucky dog! He's to be envied"
 That's so like you. MT. Ridgely. to think of the flowers first and forget | all about the money that has made 1t possible for me to carry out one of my l pet schemes. This week Miss Elliston and I have rented and renovated | house-number 12 Pearl street, and we're going to live there and run 1t to suit ourselves" | "Alone?"
 Why. of course"'
 well, to say it's madness Is made quate. In that quarter of the city regular slums! If you had parents" T shouldn't be doing it? Probably not As it is. my friends have expostu- lated in vain, for I am quite capable l of taking care of myself. And I see no reason why I shouldn't make expert ments, and do as I please. Besides, Miss Eniston and I aren't altogether alone. We have a competent German servant, Gretchen. And I'm sure the man who sends the money woul3 be delighted 10 see to what use we've put it. We have only heen in the house week. and have an inmate already-such a pitt eous case. little Italian girl whose stepfathor Grinaldo, forced her to work Tn n cigar factory. thought she was so III she sould scarcely stand, Grinaldo used to bent her if her earnings didn't case him If you could have seen her poor arms-so wasted and pinched black and hluet e course is was a ease for the societies, hut I didn't wait for them to interfere. l took her in myself. l wanted to sec those olive cheeks Of hers grow rounded out and rosy, and those scrav-nv brown hands-do you know she looks as if shed gained pounds already Her eyes are heEinn- ing to lose their haggard look, and she doesn't duck her head as II she eN- perted a blow"
 And her stepfa ther? "Grlnaldo? Oh, he's disappeared. We won't have any more trouble with him, I fancy. There, I've bored you with talking about myself. but it's going 10 end. for I am taking the privilege of oxcusiug myself and leaving early Mrs Courtney is a lenlent hostess"
 "You'Il let me put you into your cab?' said RidEely.
 "I would if I expected to take one, but Pm going back to Pearl street via ! the friendly street ear. It drops me | within three blocks of the door ! "Turee blocks! Oh, l say, Miss Gray 1 son. won't you let me safe. I've come and gone at my own free will for the last week The people l AaIrn thare are too busy mlnding their