The Washington times., 1907-04-14

Dear me-" exclaimed the financier's
wife, staring curiously at Shirley,
what a young girl you are 10 have
made such a stir with a bOckl How
did you do it? I'm sure I couldn' t
It's as much as can do 70 write
letter, and half the time that's not
legible."
"Oh, Il wasn't so hard" laughed
Shirley 1T was the subject that ap-
pealed rather than any special skill OF
mine. The trusts and their misdeeds
are the favorite topics Of the hour.
The whole country is talking about
nothing else. Ny book came at the
right time. that's all
Although THE American Octopus"
was q direct attack on her own hus-
band Mrs. Dyder secretly admired
this young woman, who had dared TO
speak a few blunt truths IL was 3
courage which. aiasl she had always
lacked herself. but there was certain
satisfaction in knowing there were
women IL the world not entirely cowed
BY the tyrant man.
II have always wanted a daughter,
went on Mrs Ryder, becoming con
fidential, while Shirley removed her
things and made herself at home;
girls Of your age are SO companion
able Then, abruptly, she asked:
do your parents live IN New York;
shlrisy's face flushed and she stoOp-
cd cver her trunk to hide her enbar-
rassr1ent
'.No-not a. present" she answered
.,-s sf.,sf,, NV mother and father are
IN the country"
she was afraid that more questions
Of a personal nature would follow. but
auparentlv Mrs Ryder was not in an
fnouisitive mood. for she asked noth-
ing further She only said;
II have A son, but I don't see much
Of him You must meet my JehersoI-
He is such a nice boy"
Shirley tried TO look unconeerned as
she replied:
II met him yesterday Mr.. Ryder
introduced him to me"
Poor lad. he has his troubles TOO
went on Mrs. Ryder. He's IN love
With a girl. but his father wants MIN
tn marrv. some one else. They're quar-
reIling over Il all the time"
parents shouldn't interfere In mat
ters OF the heart" said Shirley decl-
sfxelv. What is more serious thah
the choosing OF 3 life companion ana
mo ar better entitled 20 make a free
selection than they who are gong 70
=nan5 the rest OF their days together
0f course. Il il a fathers duty 10 give
nis son the benefit OF his ripper expert
s,ce b;1t TO insist on a marriage oaseo
only On business interests IS little less
thar a crime. There are conditions
more important II the union is 10 be
a happy OF a lasting one fne chlel
thing Is that the man should feel real
attachment for the woman ne marries-
Two people who are to live together as
man and wife must be compatible IN
tastes and temper. You cannot NIX
al az.d water. It IL these selfish mar
riares which keep our divorce courts
busy. Money alone won't buy nap
pineEs in marriage
..No." sighed Mrs Ryder, no one
knows that better than J"
Tim ftnancier's wife was already
most favorably impressed with her
guest, and she chsttsd on as Il she had
known Shirley for years. It was rare
IL that she had heard so young a
woman express such cOmmon-seuse
views. and the more she talked with
Ter the less surprised she was that she
was the author Of much-discussed
book Finally. thinking that Shirley
might prefer TO be alone, she rose TO
90 bidding her make herself thorough
" at home and to ring for anything
sha might wish A maid had been as
signed to look exclusively after her
wants. and she could have her meals
served IN her room or else have them
with the family, as she liked But
Shirley, not caring TO encounter Mr..
Rvder's colo. searching stare more
often than necessary. said she would
prefer 10 take her meals alone
Left TO herself, Shirley settled dowr
to work in earnest 3Ir. Ryder had
sent to her room all the material for
the biography, and soon she was com
pletely absorbed in the task Of sorting
and arran ging letters. making extracts
from records. compiling data. etc. lay
ing the foundations for the important
book she was to write. She wondered
what they would call it, and she smiled
as d peculiarly appropriate title flashed
through her mind-''The History OF Z
Crime" Yet she thought they cOulC
hardly infringe on Victor Hugo; per
haps the best title was the simplest
The History of the Empire TRADING
Company" Everyone would under
stand that it told the story OF JohI
Burkett Ryder's remarkable caree
from his earliest beginnings TO th'
present time. She worked feverishE
all that evening getting the materia
into shape, and the following ia,
found her early at her desk. No on
disturbed her. and she wrote steadil.
on until noon, Mrs. Ryder only ono
putting her head in the door TO wis
her rood morning.
After luncheon. Shirley decided tina
the weather was too glorious to re
main indoors. Her health must no
be jeopardized even to advance the in
terests Of the Colossus, SO she put o.
her hat and left the house to go 70
walk. The air smeIled sweet TO he
after being confined so long indoor
and she walked with q more elasti
and buoyant step than she had sine
her return home. Turning down Eft
avenue she entered the park at Sex
entv-second street. following the path
way until she came to the bend |
the driveway opposite the Casino. tn