The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-07-17
Jeffis1EEzs..a tAsa-5 ms was a Fsndez-

yous"
"Well, it was to certain extent" re-
piled tie secretary unabashed. Didn't
you ask me to see you herer'
"Yes," said Kate, taking a letter
from her bosom; Il wanted to ask you
what this meansw
my dear Miss Roberts-Kate-P'-
stammered the secretary.
How dare you address me In this
manner when you know l and Mr..
Ryder are engagedY
No one knew better that Kate that
this was not true, but she said 1t part
ly out of vanity, partly out of desire
to draw out this Englishman who
made such bold love to her.
Miss Roberts," replied Mr.. Bagley
loftily, 'in that note l expressed my
admiration-my love for you. Your en-
gagement to Mr.. Jefferson Ryder is,
to say the least a most uncertain
fact" There was a, tinge of sarcasm
In his voice that did not escape Kate.
"You must not judge from appear
ances," she answered, trying to keep
up the outward show of indignation
which inwardly she did not feel. JEFF
and 1 may hide a passion that burns
like a volcano. All lovers are not
demonstrative, you know"
The absurdity of this description as
applied to her relations with Jefferson
appealed to her as so cOmical that she
burst into laughter. in which the sec
rotary joined.
"Then why did you remain here
with me when the senator went out
with Mr. Ryder, senior?" he demanded.
ITO tell you that.I cannot listen to
your nonsense any longer" retorted
the girl.
"What?" he cried incredulously.
"You remain here to tell me that You
cannot listen to me when you could
easily have avoided listening to me
without telling me so! Kate, your cold
ness is not convincing"
"You mean you think want to listen
! to your" she demanded
81 do" he answered, stepping for
ward as If to take her in his arms.
"AIr Bagleyv she exclaimed, recoil-
ing.
"a week ago" he persisted. you
called me Fitzroy. Once In an out
burst of confidence you called me
Fitz."
"You hadn't asked me to marry you
then" she laughed mockingly. Then,
edging away toward the door, she
waved her hand at him playfully and
said teasingly: "Good by, Mr.. Bagley.
am going upstairs to Mrs. Ryder. l
will await my fathers return in her
room. l think shall be safer"
He ran forward to intercept her, but
she was too quick for him. The door
slammed in his face, and she was gone.
Meantime Jefferson had proceeded
upstairs, passing through long and
| luXuriously carpeted corridors with
paneled frescoed walls and hung with
grand old tapestries and splendid paint
! ings, until he came to his mothers
room. He knocked
Come inr' called out the familiar
voice.
He entered. Mrs. Ryder was busy
at her escritoire looking over a mass
Of household accounts.
Hello, motherl How's father?" he
cried, running up and hugging her in
his boyish, impulsive way. jefferson
had always been devoted to his mother,
and. while he deplored her weakness in
permitting herself to be so completely
under the domination of his father, she
had always found him an affectionate
and loving son.
Mrs. Ryder sighed while she looked
hef son over proudly In her heart she
was glad jefferson had turned out as
he had Her boy certainly would never
be a financier to be attacked In maya
zines and books. Answering his ques-
/ ton, she said:
your father is as well as those busy
bodies in the newspapers will let him
be. He's considerably worried just
now over that new book, The Ameri-
can Octopus How dare they make
him out such a monster? He's no
worse than other successful men. He's
richer that's all, and 1t makes them
! jealous. He's out driving now with
Senator Roberts. Kate is somewhere
in the house-in the library, think"
Yes, l found her there" replied
jefferson dryly. "She was with that
cad. Bagley. When is father going to
find that fellow Out?'
"Oh, Jefferson" protested his moth
er, how can you talk like that of Mr..
Bagley? He is such a perfect gentle
man. His family connections alone
should entitle him to respect. He is
certainly the best secretary your ia
Their ever had. I'm sure l don't know
what we should do without him. He
knows everything that a gentleman
should"
And a good deal more, l wager"
grOwled Jefferson. He wasn't groom
of the backstairs to England's queen
for nothing" Then changing the topic
he said suddenly: Talking about Kate
mother we have got to reach some
definite understanding This talk about