The Washington herald., 1907-06-24

fancy. There. I've bored you with talk
Ing about myself but its going 20 end.
for am taking the privilege of excusing
myself and leaving early. Mrs. Courtney
is lenIent hostess"
You'll let me put you into your cab?"
said Eidgey.
would If I expected TO take one. but
I'm going back 10 Pearl street via the
friendly street car. Il drops ne within
three blocks Of the door"
Three blocks, Oh. I say. Miss Gray
son, won't you let ne"
Thank you, no. I shall be perfectly
safe. I've come and gone at my own free
VIII FOR the last week. The people down
there are too busy minding their Own
afalrs-to interfere with mine"
A few minutes later, swathed in a long
dark coat that fitted closely and hid the
folds Of her dinner gown, Miss Grays5n
hailed a CTOsstOWn car. II was a cloudy
evening that threatened rain. and before
she reached her destination the storm
broke wildly, the great dr0ps falling in
gusts against the car windows. The corner
20 which Miss Graysou allghted was Mt
terly deserted. Pale CLEANS from half
opened tenement shutters. and the dim.
murky yellow OF the street gamps were
reflected in Che streaming cutters. and the
sidewalks miniature pools. Miss Grayson
splashed briskiy ahead, looking neither to
the right nor to the left, till she neared
her own abode and turned her head 10
glance IN the windows The partition Of
what had once been a narrow hall had
been removed. and the whole was turned
into a spacious sitting-room. The embers
Of 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 hearthrug.
Well, Tessa." called Miss Cravson.
opening the door and pausing a moment
20 wrest the key from the reluctant lock.
Did you sit up for me? And where's
Miss Elliston?"
But Tessa's slow. sweet voice was
checked midway in reply; for Of a sud
den Miss Grayson was thrust violently
into the room. and the half-Opened door
was closed behind her Against Il leaned
the threatening figure OF Grinaldo, his
lips set in an ugly line
What do you mean by breaking I'm
like this?" demanded Miss Grayson.
sternly quiet though a pulse beat hur-
riedIy IN her throat
Grinaldo fixed his narrow eyes on her.
Angry red surged under the brownish
pallOr Of his skin She had taken his
daughter. he said, his daughter who
earned for him. Now he had come to
fetch Tessa away. She would not be
found a second time.
TeSsa was staring at a window at the
other end OF the room. as II she did not
hear Grinaldos words; but Miss Gray
sons eyes were or the thin, keen knife |
that flickered in his hand
IF the lady screama or Gala the police |
I strlka now, said Griualdo softly, with |
a threatening gesture.
"Oh, no, YOU DON'T" cried Branton |
Ridgely, crashing In the window with his /
walking stick, and vaulting over the sill |
with the jump that had won him a medal |
at college. Beyond were the amber-like /
lamps of his waiting hanson. the cab /
man whistling shriliy for the police. Miss |
Grayson saw as through maze the /
things that followed. Ridgely's arm 1
striking out and Grinaldo sprawling. She |
heard Tessa's cry Of relief. the startled /
voice Of Miss Ellston, who, panic /
stricken, was descending the stairs |
Lastly came the police. It was Ridgely /
who told them the necessary details: Il /
was Ridgely who calmed the excited 4
Miss Elliston and half-hysterical Tessa. !
It was Ridgely who came to Miss Gray |
son when it was all over with fervent /
Thank heaven, I was in time"
How did you know"
why, after you were gone I felt /
premonitiOn. so I took a cab and fol- |
lowed"
Miss Elliston had discreetly turned her |.
back Miss Grayson lifted a bunch of |
violets from a bowl on the table and /.
held them out to him.
'Ipstead of laurels," she began tremu-
lousy.
L couldn't-I can't-you see-that is"
stanlmered Ridgely. coloring to the roots
Of MS hair
Their eyes met.
"Oh," cried Miss Grayson, with a deep
breath. Then 1t was you who sent
them! And the money. too"
But the initials?" she questioned. per-
plexedly, after a moments silence.
stand for Earnest Triher,'" he said
lightly II thought I'd like to help, but
| m pretty much Of thickheaded blum
derbuss, and didn't quite know how. You
see, a tri1er wouldn't stand much Of a
chance with you, would he. Miss Gray
son?'
'An earnest trlfer would" she an
swered, looking down at the violets she
still held in her hand
Really" cried Ridgely, with a delight
half boyish in its impetuoslty.
Yes, reallyI' said Miss Eleanor Gray
son in tone that made Ridgely's heart
skip at least three beats.
Copyright. 1897. BY 2. C. Easimeut.l