Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-07-08
CHAPTER Nv.
1874 ELL me, what do the papers
sayP'
Settling herself comfort

"~ ELL me, what do the papers
sayY'
Settling herself comfort
ably back In the carriage,
Shirley questioned Jefferson with Gag
erness, even anxiety. She had been
impatiently awaiting the arrival of the
newspapers from "home," for so much
depended on this first effort She
knew her book had been praised in
some quarters, and her publishers had
written her that the sales were bigger
every day, but she was curious to learn
how it had been received by the re-
viewers.
Shirley was not beautiful, but hers
was face that never failed to attract
attention. 1t was a thoughtful and in
teresting face, with an intellectual
brow and large, expressive eyes, the
face of woman who had both brain
power and ideals, and yet who, at the
same time, was in perfect sympathy
with the world. She was fair in COM
plexion, and her fine brown eyes, alter
nately reflective and alert, were shad-
ed by long dark lashes. Her eyebrows
were delicately arched, and she had a
good nose. She wore her hair well of
the forehead, which was broader than
in the average woman. suggesting good
mentality. Her mouth. however, was
her strongest feature. 1t was well
shaped, but there were firm lines about
it that suggested unusual will power.
Yet 1t smiled readily, and when it did
there was an agreeable vision of
strong, healthy looking teeth of daz-
zling wilderness. She was a little over
medium height and slender in figure
and carried herself with that unmis-
taxable air of well bred independence
that bespeaks birth and culture. She
dressed stylishly, and, while her gowns
were of rich material and of a cut
suggesting expensive modistes, she
was always so quietly attired and In
such perfect taste that after leaving
her one could never recall what she
had on.
Tell me-" she repeated, "what do
the papers say about the book?
"SayT he echoed. "Why, simply
that you've written the biggest book
Of the year. that's ALP
Really! Oh, do tell me all they
saidv' She was fairly excited now,
and in her enthusiasm she grasped
Jefrerson's broad. sunburnt hand which
was lying outside the carriage rug
He tried to appear uncons' ious Of the
contact, which made his every nerve
Jingle, as he proceeded to tell her the
glst of the reviews he had read that
afternoon.
Isn't that splendid?' she exclaimed
when he had finished. Then she added
quickly:
Il wonder If your father has seen II.
Jefferson grinned. He had some
thing on his conscience, and this was
q good opportunity to get rid Of 1t.
He replied laconically:
'He probably has read 1t by this
time. sent him copy myself"
The instant the words were out of
his mouth he was sorry, for Shirley's
face had changed color.
you sent him copy Of The Amer
lean OctopusY" she cried. 'Then he'll
guess who wrote the book"
"Oh. no, he won't" rejoined Jeffer-
son calmly. HE has no idea who sent
1t to him. mailed It anonymously"
Shirley breathed a sigh of relief. It
was so important that her identity
should remain a secret. As daughter
of supreme court judge she had to be
most careful. She would not embar-
rass her father for anything in the
world.
Suddenly Jefferson asked her:
"Have you heard from home recent
Tyr
II had letter from father last week
Everything was going on at home as
when left. Father says he misses
me sadly and that mother Is ailing, as
usual"