The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-06-25

The seerct Of authorship The critics
all conceded that 1t was tho book Of
the year. and that Il portrayed with
pltlless pom tho personality on the
biggest figure m the commercial life
Of America. Although" wrote one
reviewer, "the leading character in the
book Is given another name. there can
be no doubt that The author intended
20 give 70 the world 4 vivid pen portrait
ot John Burkett Ryder She hns sue.
ceeded IN presenting a remarkable
lchoFpcier study Of the most rcmarkn.
BILE man Of his time"
He was particularly pleased with the
reviews. not only for Miss Rossmore's
sake. but also because his own vanity
was gratiied Had he not collabor
ated on the book 10 the extent OF uc
quaihting the author with details OF
his fathers life and his character.
lstics which no outsider could posi-.
bly, have learnedg There had been no
disloyaIty 60 his father in doing this
Jefferson admired his fathers smart
ness, II he coulss not approve his
methods. lie did not consider the book
an attack on his father. but rather q
powerfully written pen picture Of an
extraordinary man.
The acquaintance Of his son with the
daughter OF Judge Rossmare had not
escaped the eagle eye Of Ryder. Sr..
abd much TO the tinancier's annoyance
snd even consternation he had ascer.
tdinad tl,Ht Jefferson Was frequent
caller at the Itossmore home. He i'm.
medlately jumped TO the conclusion
that this could mean only one thing.
and fearing what he termed 'the con
sequences OF the insanity OF immature
minds" he had summoned Jefferson
peremptorily to his presence. lie told
his son that all idea OF marriage in
that quarter was out OF the question
for two reasons: One was that Judge
Rossmore was his most bitter enemy.
the other was that he had hoped 20 see
his son, his destined successor, marry
a woman Of whom he, Ryder, Sr.. could
approve He knew Of such a woman,
one who would make far more de-
sirable mate than Miss Rossmore. He
alluded, of course. to Kate Roberts.
the pretty daughter Of his old friend.
the senator. The family interests
would benefit by this alliance. which
was desirable from every point OF
view
Jefferson had listened respectfully
until his father had finished and then
grinly remarked that only one point
OF view had been overlooked his OWE
He did not care for Miss Roberts: he
did not thick she really cared for him.
The narrlaee was out Of the question
Whereupon RYDER Sr.. had fumed and
ragged, declaring that Jefferson was op-
posing his WIN as he always did. and
ending With the threat that II his son
married shirley Rossmore without his
consent he would disnherit him.
Jefferson was cogitating on these In
cidents OF the last few months when
suddenly feminine voice which he
quickly recognized called out in Eng
lish:
"Hellol Mr. Ryder"
He looked up ana saw two ladies'.
one young. the other middle aged. smil-
Ing at him from an open facre which
had drawn up TO the curb. Jefferson
jumped from his seat. upsetting his
chair and startling two nervous
Frenchmen in his hurry. aud hastened
out. hat In hand
"Why, Miss Rossmore. what are you
doing out driving?' he asked. "You
know you aud Mrs Blake promised
20 dine with me tonight. was com
ing round 10 the hotel IN few mo-
mentsp
Mrs. nlake was younger sister OF
Shirley's mother. Her husband had
died few years previously. leaving
her a small income. and when she had
heard Of her niece's contemplated trip
to Europe she had decided 20 come TO
Paris 20 meet her aud incidentally 10
chapcron her The two women were
stpping at the Grand Hotel close by.
while Jefferson had found accommoda-
tions at the Athenee.
Shirley explained Her aunt wanted
TO go TO the dressmaker's, and she herr
self was most anxious 20 go TO the
Luxembourg Gardens 60 hear the mu-
sic. Would he take her? Then they
could meet Mrs. Blake at the hotel at
o'clock and all go 20 dinner. Was
he willing?
Mrs. Blake said she would get out
here. Her dressmafer was close by.
In the Rte Auber. and she would walk
back 70 the hotel 10 meet them at Z
o'clock. Jefferson assisted her to
alight and escorted her as far as the
porte cochere Of the modiste's, couple
OF doors away. When he returned 10
the carriage. Shirley had already told
the coachman where 10 20. He got In,
and the iiacre started.
Now" said Shirley, "tell me what
you have been doing with yourself all
day"
Jefferson was buslly arranging the
faded carriage rug about Shirley.
spending more time IN the task per
haps than was absolutely necessary,
and she had 10 repeat the question.
"Doingr he echoed, with snlile.
I've been doing two things whiting
impatiently for 7 O'Clock and incidental,
ly readiug the notices Of your book"