The Washington times., 1907-03-31

although sophisticated enough to
know better. was too silly TO realize
the risk she ran at the hands OF an
INSCRIPTIONS man. Hesitating no
longer. Jefferson tore open the enve-
lope and read:
NV dearest wife that is 20 be:
/ have arranged everything. Next
Wednesday-just a week from today
we will go to the house Of a discreet
friend OF mine where a minister will
marry US: then We viii go TO city hal
and get through the legal part Of It.
train for Buffalo. Meet me in the
ladies' room at the Holland House
Wednesday morning at II O'Clock
VIII come there with a closed cab
Your devoted,
FRITZ
''Phewl" Jefferson whisted. A close
shave this for Senator Roberts. ne
thought. His first impulse was 10 20
upstairs again to his mother and put
the matter IN her han1s. She would
Immediately inform his father, VINO
would make short work Of Mr.. Bag
ley. But. thought Jefferson. why
should he spoil a good thingZ lie
could AFFORD 20 wait day or Two
There was no hurry He could allow
Bagley 10 think all was going swim
mingly and then uncover the plot at
the eleventh hour. He would even let
this letter go TO Kate. there was no
difficulty in procuring another enye-
lope and initiating the handwriting
to go to- the rendezvous he would
spring the trap. Such a cad deserved
no mercy. The scandal would be g
Knockout blow. his father would dis
charge him on the spot and that would
be the last they would see OF the arts
tocrattc English secretary. Jefferson
put the letter In his pocket and left
the house rejoicing.
While the foregoing incidents were
happening John Burkett Ryder was
secluded in his library. The great man
had come home earlier than usual,
for he had two important callers 70
see BY appointment that afternoon
One was Sergeant Ellison, who had 70
report on his mission TO Massapequai
the other was Miss Shirley Green. the
who had at last deigned TO honor him
with q visit. Pending the arrival or
these visitors the financier was busy
with his secretary trying 10 get no
as rapidly as possible Of what business
and correspondence there was on hand.
The plutOCTat was sitting at his desk
porlng over a mass OF papers Re
tween his teeth was the inevitable
long black cigar, and when he raised
his ewes 20 the light a close observer
might have remarked that they were
seal green, a color they assumed when
the man Of millions was absorbed In
scheming new business deals. Every
now and then he stopped reading the
papers 10 make quick calculations on
scraps OF paper Then if he result
pleased him, 2 smile Overspread MS
satuTnine features. He rose from his
chair and nervously paced the floor
as he always did when thinking deeply
Five millions" he muttered. not
a cent more. II they won't sell we il
Mr. Bagley entered. Mr.. Ryder
looked Up quickly
We'll, Bagley?'' he said. interroga-
lively. Has Sergeant Ellison Gomez
yes, sir. But Mr.. Herts In down
stairs. He insists on seeing you about
the Philadelphia gas deal. He says II
IS a matter OF life and death"
ITO him-yes." answered the hnan-
cier, dryiy. let him come up We
might as well have Il out now"
Mr.. Bagley went out and returned
almost hmm ediatsly. followed by
short. fat man, rather loudly dressed
and apoplectic in appearance he
looked like a prosperous brewer, while,
a matter of fact, he was president or
q gas company, one OF the shreWdest
promoters in the country. and q big
man in Wall Street There WAS only
one bigger man and that was John
RYDER But today Mr. Herts was not
in good condition. His face was pale
and his manner flustered and nervous
He was plainly worried
Mr. Ryder" he began. with excited
gesture, ''the terms you offer are pre-
posterous It would mean disaster 10
the stockholders. Our gas properties
are worth six times that amount. We
will sell out for twenty milliOns-nOt q
cent less.
Ryder shruggS his shoulders.
IT. n Co,,.4,,,e5 N-evt s,,Ddavl