The Washington times., 1907-04-14
CHAPTER IN (Continued).


ne said.
What's the objection TO
the girIe demanded shirley
Every objection. ] don L
eut her in nay family"
s'zrvtbiug against her ch7ra tteFt
TO better conceal the keen interest
She took fn the personal turn the con-
earsation had taken, Shirley pretended
60 be more busy than ever with Ihe
papers.
.sYes-that is. no-not that I know
or" replied Ryder. "But because
woman has a good character, that
doesn't necessarily make her deslr-
able match. does it?'
'Tt= a point ia her favor. isn't it?
.sYe=but-' He hesltated as If un-
certain what 90 say
'-You know msa wen. don you, Mp.
Rydar2"
'Tvs mot enough TO know them
pretty WELL" he replied.
why don't you study women for a
change She asked. .rhat would en-
able YOU % understand a great many
things that don't think are quite
clear 90 -au now.
Ryder laughed good humoredly. tt
was decidedly "a novel sensation 20
have some one lecturins him.
sI.m studying youf he said. but
t don't seem 20 -maEe much headway.
A woman Ike ike you whose mind
Isl not spoiled dr tho amusement habit,
has great rC- li-itles-g great POSSIBLE
ties. no you know you're tho first
woman Il ever took into my conf
Earre-T mean az sIghtr" again he
fixed her with that keen gIauce which
lu his business life had taught MIN
nav CO read men. lie continued: I'm
acting on seutlmeut-zomethinE I
rarely do. but I can't help it. I Ike
you. upon nay soul. and I'm going 20
introduce you TO my wifc-uy son
re took the telephone from hts desk
rs if NE were going 90 use tt.
What a c0mmander-tn-chlef you
would have made-how natural it'-is
for you 90 command, exclaimed
Shirley iu q burst Of admiration that
was half real. half hooking. 'L sup
pose you always tell people what they
are 20 DO ana how they are 90 DO &C.
You are q born general You know
I've often thought that Napoleon and
Caesar and Alexander must have beer
periaI rulers. I'm sure Of it now.
Ryder listened 20 her ln amazement
Ee was not quite sure ~ she were
making fun of him or not
.fVeu. Of all he began. Then
jnterruptlng himself he said amiably.
won you do me the honor TO meet
my samily2
Shirley smiled sweetly and bowed
Thank you Mr.. Ryder, I viii"
She rose from her seat and leaned
over tho manuscripts to conceal the
satisfaction this promise Of an intro
duction 90 the family circle gave her.
She was quick to see that il meant
more visits to The house, and other
and perhaps better opportunities 20
and the objects OF her search. Ryder
lifted to receiver OF his telephone and
talked &c his secretary In another
room, while Shirley. who was stin
standing. continued examining the
papers and letters
els that you Bagley What's uhaC2
General Dodge? Get rid OF him.
can't see him today Tell him 10
come tomorrow. WHAT'S thare Ny
con wants TO see me2 Tell him TO
come 10 the phone"
AT that instant Shirley gave a little
cry. which On vain she tried to sup
press Ryder looked up
Whats the matter?' he demanded
startled
Nothing nolhingI' she replied in
b. haarse whisper II Dricked myself
~th pin. Don't mind me-
She had iuz- come across her IA
tharr missing letters. which had got
mixed ND, evidently without Ryder's
knowledge iu exc mass Of papers he
had handed her Prepared as she was
90 Gr5 saa letters somewhere In the
house. she never dreamed that fate
war.l put them so easily and SO
quickly ll-o her hands; The sudden
ness OF their appearance ANA the sight
or her fathers familiar signature af-
Iected her almost like q shock Now
she had them. she must not let them
go again; yet how could she keep
them uaolzervcd2 Could she conceal
thema Would he miss theme She
tried 70 slip them IN her bosom while
Ryder was busy at the phone, but he
suddenly glanced lu her direction and
raaLou and caught her eye. She still
lelu the letters lu her hand which
SHOOK -.a-. merry a..e.Hr-sr DUO ne no.
tIced nothing AID went ON speaking
Through the phone.
"Hauo. jefferson. boy- You want
to see me- Can you wait tm I'm
through I've g0t q lady here. Going
uware EonslnEe- Determined, ell.
Wen. cam keep you here IL you We
made u1 your mind You want TO say
E0od-by. Come 40 in about I'VE min
utes ana I'll Introduce you 10 very
interesting person.
de laughed and hung up the receiver
Shirley was all Unstrung. trying ID
overcome the emotion which her dis
covery had caused her. and In
strangely altered voice. the result Of
the nervous strain she was under. sh.
sald-
'~You want me to come here2
she looked up from the letters she
was reading across O. itEler. 81 uf
was standing Watching her on tl.
other side M tlc des6t lie cauEn
her glance and. ic8uing over 90 tak.
some manuscript. he said.
Eyes, 4 don want these papers @.
get
HIS eye suddenly rested on the let
tarn she was lGtuilg- ne SlCppGi