The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-07-05
CHAPTER XII

4
in state bordering upon hysterla The
| days events had been so extraordinary
that il seemed 60 her shey could not be
real ana that she must be In dream
The car ride 10 Seventy-fourth street.
the interview IN the library the dis
covery OF her fathers letters, the Offer
to write the biography ana, what to
her was still more important, the inyi-
tation 10 go and live IN the Ryder home
all these incidents were SO remarka
bic and unusual that il was only with
difficulty that the girl persuaded her
self that they were not figments OF d
disordered brain
But it was all true enough. The next
mornings mail brought a letter from
Mrs. Ryder, who wrote to the effect
that Mr. Ryder would like the work 10
begin at once and adding that a suit Of
rooms would be ready for her the fol-
lowing afternoon Shirley did not hes
itate Everything was 10 he gained by
making the Ryder residence her head
quarters, her fathers very life depend
ing upon the successful outcome of her
present mission. and this unhOped for
opportunity practically insured sue
cess. She Immediately wrote TO Massa-
pequa. One letter was TO her mother.
saying that she was extending her Wis
il beyond the time originally planned
The other letter was TO Stott. She told
him all about the interview with Ky
der. informed him OF the discovery of
the letters and after explaining the ma
ture Of the work offered 10 her said
that her address for the next few
weeks would be in care OF John Bur
kett Ryder All was going better than
she had dared 60 hope. Everything
seemed TO favor their plan. Her first
step. of course, while in the Ryder
home would be TO secure possession OF
her fathers letters. and these she
would dispatch at once TO Massapequa
SO they could be laid before the senate
without delay.
So, after settling accounts with her
landlady and packing up her few be-
longings, Shirley lost no time in trans
fenIng herself TO the more luxurious
quarters provided for her in the $40
000,000 mansion uptown.
At the Ryder house she was received
cordially and with every mark of con
sideration. II e housekeeper came
down to the main hail to greet her
when she arrived and escorted her to
the suit of rooms, comprising a small
working library bedroom simply
but daintily furnished in pink and
white and n private ballroom which
had been specially prepa.ed Tor her
convenience and comfort, and here
presently she was joined by Mrs. Ry
der
Dear me-" exclaimed the fnancicr's
wife, staring curiously at Shirley.
what young girl you are to have
made such o stir with hook. How
did you do lt2 I'm sure l couldn't
It's as much as | can do T. write
letter and half the time tIists NOT
leglble"
"Oh, 1t wasn't so har1w laughed
Shirley. 'It was the subject that ap-
pealed rather than any special skin Of
mine. The trusts and their misdeeds
are the favorite topics of Tie hour
The whole country is talking about
nothing else My book came at The
right time. that's ALL
Although "The American Octopus"
was "a direct attack on her own hus-
band, Mrs. Ryder secretly admired this
young woman who had dared to speak
few blunt truths. II wis courage
which. alas, she had always lacked her
self, but there was a certain satlsfac-
tion In knowing there We're women in
the world not entirely cowed by the
tyrant man.
Il have always wanted a daughter"
went ON Mrs Ryder. becoming cont
DENTAL while Shirley removed her
things and made herself nc home
Girls Of your age are so companiona-
ble.' Then abruptly she asked. DO
your parents live in New York;"
Shirley's face flushed, and she st0op-
ed over her trunk 90 hide her embar-
rassment.
No-not at present" she answered
eyasively. "My mother and father are
in the country"
She was afraid that more questions
Of a personal nature would follow. but
apparently Mrs. Ryder was not IN an
inquisitiye mood for she asked moth
ing further. She only said; NJ
Il have a son. but l don't see mhch
of him You must meet my Jefferson
He Is such a nice boy"
Shirley tried 10 look unconcerned as
she replied:
Il met him yesterday. Mr.. Ryder
introduced him to me-"
Poor ladl He has his troubles. too.
went on Mrs. Ryder "Hes Ia love
with girl, but his father wants hlla
TO marry some one else, They're guar
reling over II all the time"
Parents. shouldn't Interfere ln mat