Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-05

S;lM
be busily preoccupied with his papers,
which was q favourite pose OF his when
receiving strangers. This frigid re-
ception Invariably served his purpose.
for 1t led visitors not to expect more
than they got, which usually was little
enough. For several minutes Shirley
stood still not knowing whether to adj
vance or to take seat. She gave a
little conventional cough, and Ryder
looked up. What he saw so astonished
| him that he at once took from his
mouth the cigar he was smoking and
rose from his seat. He had expected
gaut old maid with spectacles, and
here was stylish. good looking young
woman, who could not possibly be over
twenty-five. There was surely some
mistake. This slip of a girl could not
have written THE American Octopus"
He advanced to greet Shirley.
"You wish to see me, Madame?' he
asked courteously. There were times
j when even John Burkett Ryder could
be polite.
Il Eyes" replied Shirley, her voice
trembling little in spite of her efforts
[ to keep cool. 81 am here by appoint
ment. Three o'clock, Mrs. Ryder's
], note said. am Miss Green"
"You-Miss Greene" echoed the fin
. ancier obviously.
eyes, am Miss Green-shirley
Green, author Of The American Octo-
pus' You asked me to call. Here l
). am"
For the first time in his life, John
Ryder was nonplussed. He coughed
i and stammered and looked round for
v a place where he could throw his cigar.
] Shirley, who enjoyed his embarrass-
ment, put him at his ease.
f ooh. please go on smoking" she
e said II don't mind it in the least"
i, Ryder threw the cigar into re.
r ceptacle and looked closely at his Wis.
itor.
i $50 you are Shirley Green, eh?"
3 That is my nom-de-plume-yes, re
g piled the girl nervously. She was al
i ready wishing herself back at Massa
q pequa. The financier eyed her for g
s. moment In silence as If trying to gauge
the strength Of the personality of this
r audacious young woman, who had dar
It ed to criticise his business methods II
d public print; then, waving her to
y seat near his desk, he said:
d Wont you sit DOWN."
>, eThank you" murmured Shirley. Sht
II sat down, and he took his seat at The
other side of the desk, which brough
y, them face to face. Again INSPECTING
Q the girl with a close scrutiny tina
made her cheeks burn, Ryder said:
% II rather expected He stoopet
a for moment as if uncertain what t,
le say, then he added: you're younge
- than thought you were, Miss Green
h much younger"
n "Time will remedy that" smile
Shirley. Then, mischievously, she ado
r ed: 81 rather expected to see Mrs
~ Ryder"
st There was the faintest suspicion G
in smile playing around the corners 9
N the plutocrat's mouth as he picked u
book lying on his desk and replied
% "Yes-she wrote you, but I-wante
20 to see you about this"
20 Shirley's pulse throbbed faster, br
~ =, she tried hard to appear unconcerne
,s as she answered:
ooh. my book-have you read it?''
vel i nave, IGDllcu IlyQSl olOWly cil'
~ fixing her with stare that was b,
nv ginning to make her uncomfortable, b
~ went on: mo doubt your time is val
re- able, so I'll come right to the point.
want to ask you. Miss Green, whel
til you got the character of your centr'
oil figure-the Octopus, as you call him
John Broderick?"
.sFrom imagination-of course" a
he swered Shirley.
~, Ryder opened the book and Shi
a., lev noticed that there were sever
10 passages marked He turned tt
4. two and then he said:
m you've sketched a pretty big me
here
an eyes" assented Shirley, she has b
i'd possibilities, but think he makes We
small use of them"
,d- Ryder appeared not to notice h
commentary, and. still reading tt
en- book, he continued:
he con page % you call him t.
worlds greatest indiyidualized I
tentiality a gaint combination of m
- teriality, mentality and money!
greatest cxemplar of individual hum
b;s will in existence today And you ma
indomitable will and energy the Ike
90 stone of his marvellous success. A
ind l right" He looked at her question:
900 ly.
80 quite right" answered Shirley.
ew Ryder proceeded:
red "on page 26 you say the machine
of his mopey-making mind typifies
the laws OF perpetual unrest. 1t must
& on, relent!essly, ruthlessly maxi
money-making money and continui
esk to make money. 1t cannot stop ur
hen the machinery crumbles. "
to sharply on Shirley. he asked blunt