The Washington times., 1907-03-24

ously through her veins only mo-
ment later to leave her face shade
paleF as the man came nearer and
she saw lie was a stranger. She won
dered what he was doing. IL he gave
her a thought. II he had spoken 70
his father and what the latter had said.
She could realize now what Mr.. Ry-
ders reply had been Then she Won
dered what her future life would be-
She could do nothing, Of course, until
the Senate aad passed upon her
fathers case, but II was Imperative
that she get To worH. In a day or
two, she would call on her publishers
and learn how her book was selling.
She might get other commissions. If
she could not make enough money IN
literary work she would have 10 teach.
Il was a dreary outlook at best, and
she sighed as she thought OF the
ambitions that had once stirred her
breast All the brightness seemed To
have gone out Of her life, her father
disgraced, Jefferson now practically
lost 10 her-only her work remained
As she neared the cottage on her
return home she caught sight Of the
letter carrier approaching the gate.
Instantly she thought Of Jefferson.
and she hurried to intercept the man
Perhaps he had written instead Of
coming.
Miss Shirley Rossmore?" said the
man. cycling her interrogatively.
That's !" said Shirley.
The postman handed her a letter
and passed on. Shirley glanced at the
superscriptlon. No, il was not from
Jefferson; she knew his handwriting
too well The envelope, moreover,
bore the firm name OF her publishers.
She tore Il open. and found that it
merely contained another letter which
the publishers had forwarded. This
was addressed 10 Miss Shirley Green,
and ran as follows
Dear Madam.-If convenient. I
should ike 10 see you at my office,
No IS Broadway, in relation 70 your
book, The American Octopus. Kindly
inform me as 10 the day and hour at
which 1 may expect you
JOHN BURKETT RYDER.
per B."
Shirley almost shouted from sheer
excitement At first she was alarmed
-lhe name OF John BUrkett Ryder was
such a DOGGY TO frIghten bad children
with. she thought he might want 70
punish her for writing about him as
she had. She hurried TO the porch and
sat there reading the letter over and
over, and her brain began TO involve
Ideas. She had began wondering how
she could get at Mr.. Ryder, and here
he was actually asking her TO call or
him. Evidently he had not the slight
est idea Of her identity. for he had
been able to reach her only through
her publishers, and no doubt he had
exhausted every other means o. dis
covering her address. The more she
pondered over Il the more she began
70 see in this invitation way of help
ing her father Yes she would 90 and
beard The lion in his den. but she
would not 20 90 his office. She would
Fecept the invitation only on condition
that the interview took place IN the
Ryder mansion. where, undoubtedly,
TIE letters would be found. She de
cided 10 act Immediately. No time was
TO be lost. so she procured a sheet Of
paper and an envelope, and wrote as
follows:
Mr.. John Burkett Ryder,
Dear Sri do not call upon gentle
men at their business office
Yours, etc.
SHIRLEY GREEN"
Her letter was abrupt, and at first
glance seemed hardly calculated 70
bring about what she wanted-an
invitation TO call at the Ryder home.
but she was shrewd enough TO see that
IL Ryder wrote to her at all il was be-
cause he was most anxious TO see her
and he- abruptness would not deter
him from trying again. On the con-
trary. the very unusualness Of any one
thus debating to him would make him
more than ever DESTROYS of making her
acquaintance. SO Shirley mailed the
letter and awaited with confidence for
Ryder's reply. SO certain was she that
one wouli come that she at once began
10 form her plan of action She would
leave Massapequa at once, and her
whereabouts must remain a secret
even from her own family. AS she in
tended TO go TO the Ryder house in the
assumed character of Shirley Green,
- would unVpr do 10 run the risk of