The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-05
CHAPTER XIV.

~ ABOUT Two weeks aLAtT WI AHt
leys spectacular dismissal from
the Ryder residence. he had brought
Shirley the two letters. She did
not ask him how he got them.
II he forced the drawer or procured
the key II sufnced for her that the
precious letters-the absolute proof OF
her fathers innocence-were at last in
her possession. She at once sent them
on by registered mail 20 Stott. who
Immediately acknowledged receipt and
at the same time announced his de-
parture for Washington that night.
He promised 10 keep her constantly
informed OF what he was doing and
how her fathers, case was going. II
could. he thought be only a matter
OF few days now before the result
OF the proceedings would be known.
The approach OF the crisis made
Shirley exceedingly nervous. and Il
was only by the exercise OF the greatest
self-control that she did not betray the
terrible anxiety she felt The Ryder
biography was nearly finished
and her stay in Seventy-fourth street
would soon come to an end. She had
= serious talk with jefferson. who con-
trived 10 see a good deal OF her. en-
tirely unsupported by his parents. for
Mr and Mrs. Ryder had no reason 10
believe that their son had any more
than A mere bowling acquaintance with
the clever young authoress. Now that
Mr.. Bagley was no longer there TO
spy upon their actions these clandes-
tine interviews had been compare
lively easy. Shirley brought 10 bear
all the arguments she could think OF
to convince Jefferson Of the hopeless
ness OF their engagement. She insisted
that she could never be his wife. cir
cumstances over which they had no
control made that dream impossible
II were better. she said. to part now
rather than incur the risk OF being
unhappy later But Jefferson refused
to be convinced. He argued and
pleaded. and he even swore-strange.
desperate words that Shirley had
never heard before and which alarmed
her not a little-and the discussion
ended usually by a kiss which put
Shirley completely hors de combat
Meantime, John Ryder had not
ceased worrying about his son. The
removal Of Kate Roberts as a factor
In his future had not eliminated the
danger OF Jefferson taking the bit
between his teeth one day and con-
tracing a secret marriage with the
daughter Of his enemy, and when he
thought Of the mere possibility OF
such a thing happening he stormed
and raved until his wife, accustomeI
as she was 70 his choleric outbursts
was thoroughly frightened. For some
time after Bagley's departure father
and son got along fairly anicably.
but Ryder. ST., was quick 20 see that
Jefferson had something on his mind
which was worrying him. and he
rightly attributed II 10 his infatuation
for Hiss Rossmore He was con-
WINGED that his son knew where the
Judges daughter was, although HIS
own efforts to discover her where
abouts had been unsuccessful Ser
geant Ellison had confessed absolute
failure; Miss Rossmore. he reported.
had disappeared as completely as II
the earth had swallowed her and fur
Their search was futile Knowing well
his son's impulsive, headstrong dispo-
sition. Ryder. sr.. believed him quite
capable of marrying the girl secretly
AZ any time. The only thing that John
RYDER did not know was that Shirley
Rossmore was not the kind Of a girl
TO allow any man 10 inveigle her into
a secret marriage The Colossus. who
Judged the worlds morals by his own
was not. Of course, aware OF this. and
he worried night and day thinking
what he could do to prevent his son
from marrying the daughter Of the
man he had wronged.
The more he pondered over il. the
more he regretted that there was not
some other girl with whom jefferson
could fall in love and marry. He need
not seek a rich girl-there was GER
tainly enough money in the Ryder
family to provide for both He wished
they knew a girl, for example, as at
tractive and clever as Miss Green.
All. he thought. there was a girl who
would make a man of Jefferson
brainy, ambitious. active, And the
more he thought Of il the more
the idea grew on him that Miss
Green would he an ideal daughter-in-
law, and at the same time snatch his
son from the clutches OF the Rossmore
woman.
Jefferson, during all these weeks.
was growing more and more impatient.
He knew that any day now Shirley
might take her departure from their
house and return 10 Massapequa. II
the impeachment proceedings went
against her father IL was more than
likely that he would lose her forever.
and II. on the contrary. the judge were
acquitted. Shirley never would be will
ing TO marry him without his fathers
consent; and this. he felt. he would
neve- obtain. He resolved. therefore.
10 have a final interview with his
father and declare boldly his intention
Of making Miss Rossmore his wife.
regardless OF the consequences
The opportunity came one evening
after dinner. Ryder. ST.. was sitting
alone in the library. reading, Mrs.
Ryder had gone to the theater with a
friend. Shirley as usual was writing
In her room, giving the final touches
TO her now completed History Of the
Empire Trading Company" JEFFERSON
took the bull by the horns and boldly
accosted his redoubtable Parent
May I have a few minutes of your
line. father"
Ryder. ST., laid aside the paper he
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