Arizona republican., 1908-07-12

Messiter, sir. She asked me to mention that"
 ''Ohi Show Miss Messter in
 Yes sir"
 The office boy vanished Adrian Steele stared at the ceiling. In his minds eye was John Messister, 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 unknown quantity. He wondered what Messi ter's sister would be like. ys
 When he looked down she was standing before him. So quietly had she entered that he how long she had stood in front of his desk. He rose, offering chair and apology.
 ''I 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 a face which remained vivdly impressed upon his mind Messiter's 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 or body, possibly in both. Serenity informed the mouth; the voice had soothing infections; trepdation betrayed the suppliant At the time Messters sister shabby clothes, although they became her vastly well. Her gloves were darned, her veil had beer carefully mended; her hat could not have cost more than few dollars.
 What I do for you?" said Adrian.
 'I have brought manuscript"
 "Of your own?" Unconsciously he assumed the editorial tone
 "Of my brother's."
 "I should like to see it very much. Your broth CT, Miss Messter did good work; it had quality. Had he lived, he would have made an enduring mark" She bowed quietly, holding out the script, which Adrian took. Then, with certain hesitation alien to him, he said:
 Have you offered this elsewhere?"
 No; he wished to offer it to you frst'
 But pray pardon me-Mr. Messter died than six months ago, and--'
 "I could not bring it before"
 Adrian's keen eyes softened. the manuscript, short story, arrested his atten- tion. Messter had the knack of finding arresting titles.
 I'm sure 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 unmistakable nervous ness.
 "Indeed!You have come upon bundle of manu- scripts-eh? I hope you will give us the first fusaI of all of them" Again his tone became pro- fessional. Would you let everything? I'm not prepared to say what terms could offer, but if you will trust me"
 John said could trust you" Adrian's keen eyes softened.
 "Ill read this at once and write to you" Will 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 on acceptance. It's not customary, know but"
 You shall have check tomorrow if it proves available It is almost to prove available
 Miss Messter gave her address and then took her leave. Adrian had thousand matters clarnoring for attention but he fell into revere, staring at the manuscript his desk. Presently he picked t0 up and read it through with ever-increasing inter- est. He told himself it the best thing poor Messiter had done. He seized his pen, filled a check and despatched it by special messenger.
 Miss Messter acknowledged the receipt of the check but she made mention of her brothers oth- 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- Iished stuff He called upon the sister at the ad- dress she gave him, but Miss Messiter as the maid informed him, was not at home"
 The story, when published, challenged contro- versy. It was attacked and defended with equal warmth. But, inevitably, interest in Messiter and in Messters ideas waned and vanished.
 Six months passed. And then one afternoon, Messters 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 come before?" said Adrian.
 ''I had nothing to bring" she faltered.
 As Adrian was staring at her she held out an- other manuscript about the same size the first Adrian took it with a smile, curiously compounded of derision amusement and sympathy.
 They kept it six months, did they-and then returned it?'
 Miss Messiter raised pair of large perplexed eyes to his.
 Who kept it?" she demanded
 Confess" he said, lightly, that you sent this to some other editor. I dare say you thought check was not quite large enough-eh? But it