The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-06-29


but can prevent You throwing your
self aSay on the daughter Of man
who is about TO be publicly disgraced,
and Will"
Poor old Rossmorer said Jefferson
bitterly. "If the history Of every imam
cial transaction were made known,
how many Of us would escape public
disgrace? Would youY" he cried
RYDER senior rose, his hands working
dangerously. He made movement as
IL about TO advance on his son but by
a supreme effort he controlled himseif
"No. upon my word, it's no use dis
inheriting YOU. You wouldn't care. !
think you'd be glad ON my soul do
Then, calming down once more. he
added: Jefferson, give me your word
Of honor that your object IN going
away is not to fnd out this girl and
marry her unknown to me- don't
mind your losing your heart, but don't
lose your head Give me your hand
on IT,"
Jefferson reluctantly held out his
hand.
"If thought that you would marry
that girl unknown 70 me I'd have Ross
more sent out of the country, and the
woman too. Listen. boy. This man Is
my enemy. and show no mercy TO
my enemies. There are more reasons
than one why you cannot marry Miss
Rossmore II she knew one Of them
she would not marry you"
what reasonsT demanded Jeifer
SON.
"The principal one" said Ryder
slowly and deliberately. and eying his
son keenly as II 10 Judge Of the effect
of his words. "the principal one is
that II was through my agents that the
demand was made fer her fathers i'm
pcachment"
"Ah." cried Jefferson, "thcn guess
ed arightF'
marry Kate or not. ss you please,
but want you to stay here" the elder
man said after pause.
"Its no use My mind is made up,
answered Jefferson decisvely
The telephone rang, and Jefferson
got up 60 go. Mr.. Ryder took up the
receiver.
"Hanol what's that? Sergeant El
lsong Yes, send him up"
Putting the telephone down. Ryder
senior rose and. crossing the room. ac-
companied his son 10 the door
think it well over. Jefr. Don't be
hasty"
A few minutes later Jefferson left
the house.
| m 49,. ,,,o,,od and Ar Raplav on
tered. followed by a tall, powerfully
built man, whose robust physique and
cheap looking clothes contrasted
strangely with the delicate ultrafash-
lonably attired English secretary.
"Take seat. sergeant" said Mr.
Ryder cordially, mosioning his visitor
To a chair The man sat down ginger
ly on one Of the rich leather upholster-
ed chairs. His manner was nervous
and awkward. as II intimdated in the
presence Of the financier
"Are the national committee stiil
waitlngT' demanded Mr., Ryder.
"Yes. sir" replied the secretary.
am see them In few minutes.
Leave me with Sergeant Ellison"
MIR. Baglay bowed and retired.
Ryder. with his customary bluutness.
came right down 10 business.
"Well what have you been doing
about the book?" he demanded. Have
you found the author of The American
OctopusY"
"No. sir; have not. ! confess I'm
bafled. The secret has been well kept,
The publishers have shut up like a
clam. There's only one thing that I'm
pretty well sure Of"
whats thatT demanded Ryder. In
terested.
"That no such person as Shirley
Green exists
"Oh," exclaimed the financier then
you think II is a mere nom de plumef'
"Yes, sir"
"And what do you think was the
reason for preserving the anonymity
"Well. you see. sir, the book deals
with big subject 1t gives some hard
knocks. and the author no doubt felt
little timid about launching il under
his or her real name At least that's
my theory, sir"
"And a good one no doubt" said Mr.
| Ryder. Then he added; mat makes
me ali the more anxious 60 find out
who It is. | would willingly give this
moment a check for 5000 10 know
who wrote A. Whoever IT is, knows
me as well as / know myself We
much find the author"
The sleuth was silent for moment
Then he said.
"There might be one way to reacl
the author. but II viii be successful
only in the event OF her being willing
TO be known and come out into the
open. Suppose you write to her IN
care OF the publishers, They would
certainly forward the letter TO wher
ever she may be. II she does moi
want you 10 know who she is, she
win ignore your letter and remain IL
the background. II. on the contrary
she has no fear Of you and Is wlllinl
TO meet you, she viii answer the let
ter"
"Ah. / never thought Of thatg' ex
J claimed Ryder ITS good idea IN
: write such letter at once. II shal
q.