The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-07-26

neople down there are too busy mind
ing their own affairs to interfere with
mime"
A few moments later, swathed in a
long dark coat that fitted closely and
hid tue folds of her dinner gown, Miss
Grayson hailed crosstown ear. 1t
was a cloudy evening that threatenc !
rain. and before she reached her d..
tination the storm broke wildly. the
great drops falling in gusts against the
car windows. The corner ut which
Miss Grayson aliShted was utterl., de-
serted. Pale CLEANS from half opened
tenement shutters and the dim. il;:-....,
yellow of the street lamps were reject.
ed In the streaming cutters and the
sidewalks miniature pools. Miss Gray.
son splashcd brislliy ahead, looking
neither to the right nor to the left.
till she neared her own abode ana
turned her head to glance in the win.
dows. The partition of what had once
been n narrow hall had been removed
and the whole was turned into n spa
cious sitting room. The embers of a
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.
well, Tessa," called Miss Grayson,
opening the door and pausing a mo
ment to wrest the key from the reluc.
tant 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
sudden Miss Grayson was thrust VIC
lently into the room, and the half
opened door was closed behind her.
Against it leaned the threatening fig.
ure of Grinaldo his lips in an ugly line.
What do you mean by breaking in
like this?" demanded Miss Grayson,
sternly quiet, though pulse beat hur-
rfedly 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 daugh
ter who earned for him. Now he had
come to fetch Tessa away. She would
not be found a second time.
Tessa was staring at window at
the other end of the room as If she
did not hear Grinaldos words, but
Miss Grayson's eyes were on the thin,
keen knife that fiickered in his hand.
IF the lady screama or Gala the
police, 1 strika now" said Grinaldo
softly, with threatening gesture.
"Oh, no you don'tv' cried Branton
Ridgely, crashing in the window with
his walking stick and vaulting over
the sill with the jump that had won
him medal at college. Beyond were
the amberlike lamps of his waiting
hanson, 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 Tes-
sa's cry Of relief, the startled voice of
Miss Elliston, who, panic stricken, was
descending the stairs. Lastly came the
police. 1t was Ridgely who told them
the necessary details; 1t was Ridgely
who Gained the excited Miss Elliston
and half hysterical Tessa; it was
RidGely who came to Miss Grayson
when 1t was all over with a fervent
Thank heaven, was in time"
"How did you know
"Why, after you were gone felt o
premonitlon, so l took cab and fol |
lowed"
Miss Ellston had discreetly turned
her back. Miss Grayson lifted bunch |
Of violets from a bowl on the table |
and held them out to him.
INSTEAD of laurels," she began trem
ulously.
81 couldn't-I can't-you see-that is" |
= stammered Ridgely, coloring to the |
roots Of his 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.
after a moments silence.
"Stand for Earnest Trifer.'" he said
lightly. 81 thought I'd like to help.
but I'm pretty much Of thick headed
blunderbuss and didn't quite know
how. You see, triHer wouldn't stand
much of chance with you, would he.
Miss Graysonw
IAN earnest trifier would" she an
swered, looking down at the violets
she still held In her hand.
"Reallyr cried Ridgely, with a de-
light half boyish in Its impetuosity.
"Yes. really" said Miss Eleanor
Grayson in a tone that made Ridgely's
heart skip at least three beats.