Los Angeles herald., 1908-06-28

JM
VI "Miss-Messiter7"
THE sister of the late Mr. John
Messiter, sir. She asked me to mention that
"Ohi Show Miss Messiter in"
Eyes, SIR
The office boy vanished. Adrian Steele stared at
the ceiling. In his minds eye was John Messster,
that queer youth whose wares he, as literary pur-
veyor, had offered to the American public. In
more senses than one young Messiter had proved
an unknown quantity. He wondered what Messi-
ter's sister would be like.
When he looked down she was standing before
him. So quietly had she entered, that he was un-
aware how long she had stood in front of his desk
He rose offering chair and an apology
Il beg your pardon for startling you," she said.
He flushed slightly, for she had startled him
experience sufficiently novel to be embarrassing.
Slowly he drew his eyes from face which remained
wildly impressed upon his mind. Messiters sister
presented the always remarkable contrast of soft
light hair surmounting dark eyes and brows and
lashes. One might hazard guess that the owner
of it had suffered either in mind body, possibly
in both Serenity informed the mouth; the voice
had soothing Infections trepdation betrayed the
suppliant. At the time Messiter's sister wore
shabby clothes although they became her vastly
well. Her gloves were darned, her veil had beer
carefully mended; her hat could not have cost
than few dollars.
What do for your" said Adrian
81 have brought a manuscript"
"of your own" Unconsciously he assumed the
editorial tone
"Of my brothers."
81 should like to see it very much. Your broth
er, Miss Messter. did good work; it had quality.
Had he lived, he would have made an enduring
mark" She bowed quietly, holding out the manu-
script, which Adrian took. Then, with certain
hesitation alien to him, ne said:
Have you offered this esewhere?"
''No; he wished me to offer 1t to you first"
"But pray pardon me!-Mr Messiter died more
than six months ago, and"
81 could not bring it before"
Adrian's keen eyes softened.
the manuscript, short story arrested his atten-
ton. Messiter had the knack of finding arresting
titles
I'm to want this he said pleasantly And
in view of the fact that this is your brothers last
piece of work.
''There may be MORE" said Miss Messiter, dis
playing for the first time unmstakable nervous
ness.
Indeed You have come upon a~bundle of manu-
scripts-eh? I hope you will give US the first re-
fusal of all of them" Again his tone became pro-
fessonal would you let everything? I'm
not prepared to say what terms could offer,
but if you will trust me-"
John said I could trust you"
Adrians keen eyes softened
'Ill read this at once and write to you VIII
you send me the others?"
I'll bring them--later. Could you-would you'
her voice for the first time quavered-"p-p-
pay for this acceptance It's not customary.
know, but"
You shall have check tomorrow if it proves
available. 1t is almost sure to Prove available"
Miss Messiter gave her address and then took her
nd m att ri
for attention, but he fell into revere, staring at
the manuscript his desk. Presently he picked 1t
up and read it through with ever-ncreasing inter-
est. He told himself 1t the best thing poor
Messiter had done. He seized his pen filled
check and despatched it by special messenger.
Miss Messter acknowledged the receipt of the
check but she made mention of her brothers 9TH
er manuscripts, omission which Adrian resented.
When the proof sent to her the editor asked
for an interview; the proof, carefully revised,
reached him next day in envelope which contain
ed nothing else Adrian told himself that he felt
CHEAP" None the less, in the interests of his
magazine he must try to secure Messiter's unpub-
lished stuff. He called upon the sister at the ad-
dress she gave him, but Miss Messiter as the maid
informed him, was mot at home"
The story, when published, challenged contro-
versy. 1t attacked and defended with equal
warmth. But inevitably, interest in Messiter and .
in Messiter's ideas waned and vanished.
Six months passed. And then afternoon,
Messiters sister called again at the Office Adrian
greeted her coldly. Her appearance, however
thawed resentment. The poor lady looked thin
and i'll; the lines upon her face had perceptibly
deepened.
why did you not before?" said Adrian
Il had nothing to bring she faltered.
AS Adrian staring at her she held out an
other manuscript about the size as the first.
Adrian took it with smile, curiousy compounded
of derision, amusement and sympathy
They kept it six months, did they-and then
returned it,"
Miss Messter raised pair of large psrplexed
eyes TO his
who kept it," she demanded.
Confess, he said, lightly, THAT you sent this to
some other editor. / dare say you thought our
check was not quite large enough-eh? But 1t
larger than an liz