Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-23
CHAPTER VIII.-(Continued)

Z s. q
CHAPTER VIII-(Continued).
The absurdity of this description a.
s17applied to her relations with Jefferson
9fappealed to her as so comical that she
o. burst into laughter in which the sec
-atretary Joined.
-Hsi Inen why did you remain here with
yrsme when the Senator went out with
Mr. Ryder, senior?" he demanded.
TO tell YOU that cannot listen tc
the girl.
WHAT" lie cried, incredulously
Ie5 You remain here to tell me that yor
cannot listen to me when you could
easily nave avoided listening to me
without telling me so. Kate, youl
coldness is not convincing
: You mean you think want to listen
TO you?" she demanded.
do" he answered stepping for
ward us If to take .ler in his arms.
Mr. Ragley!" she exclaimed, re
fcoiliny
"A week ago." he persisted, "you
: called me F.tzroy. Once, in an out
Fitz."
You hadn't asked me to marry yo,'
then" she laughed mockingly. Then
edgfng away towards the door She
waved her hand at him playfully and
said teaslngly: Goodbye, Mr. Bagley
am going upstairs to Mrs. Ryder. ]
VIII await my fathers return in her
ssroom. think shall he safer"
He ran forward to intercept her
put she was too quick for him. The
5Adoor slammed in his face and she was
iigone.
Meantime Jefferson had proceeded
upstairs, passing through long llxur-
e 1ously carpeted corridors with panell-
eco frescoed walls, and hung with grand
ssold tapestries and splendid paintings,
until ne came to his mothers room. He
knocked
Come in!" called out the familiar
voice.
He entered. Mrs. Ryder was busy
at her eseritoire looking over a mass
4 OF household accounts.
sss Hello. lnether!" he cried, running
bup. and hugging her In his boyish, i'm
tpulsive way. Jefferson had always
Atpeen devoted to his mother and while
ne deplored her weakness in permit
ting herself to be so completely under
the domination of his father, she had
always found him an affectionate and
loving son.
oSh y SILL DIG SACidlul6Q WQGu ne
released her. My dear boy, when did
you arrive?"
Only yesterday. slept at the studio
last night You're looking bully,
mother How is father"
Mrs. Ryder sighed while she looked
her son over proudly In her heart
sne was glad Jefferson had turned out
as ne had. Her boy certainly would
never be financ.er to be attacked
SIN magazines and books. Answering
his question she said
L ~ our father Is as we'll as those
busybodies in the newspapers will let
him be. He's considerably worried just
now over new book The American
Octopus. How dare they make him
out such monster? He's no worse
than other successful business men.
/ He's richer, that's all and 1t makes
them jealous. He's out driving now
4 with Senator Roberts. Kate is some
where in the house-in the library,
think"
s Yes, | found her there" replied
Jefferson dryly, "She was with that
i cad, Bailey. When is father going to
find that fellow out?"
ssssOh, Jefferson" protested his mother,
how can you talk like that of Mr.
Ragley. He such perfect gentleman
His family connections alone should
entitle him to respect. He is certainly
the best secretary your father ever
had. I'm sure don't know what we
pshoul1 DO without him. He knows
everything that gentleman should"
And good deal more, wager"
4 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
my marrying her must stop. / intend
] to take the matter up with father to-.
day"
"Oh, of course, more troubled" re-
piled his mother in resigned tone.
She was SO accustomed to having her
wishes thwarted that she was never
surprised at anything. eve heard Of
your goings on in Paris. That Miss
Rossmore was there, was she not?"
hlf,.That has not got nothing to do
with it, replied Jefferson warmly. He
sEesentsd shirley's name being dragged
into The discussion. Then more calm
ely he went on: "Now, mother, be rea-
sssonable. listen. | purpose to live my
soWAr lilO. = AoSS dIcduy SuOWH lily
father that will not be dictated to,
and that can earn my own living.
He has no right to force this marriage
On me. There has never been any
misunderstanding on Rates part. She
and ! understand each other thorough
""
We'll, Jefferson you may be right
from your point of view, replied his
mother weakly. She invariably ended
by agreeing with the last one who
argued with her. You are of age,
of course. Your parents have only a.
moral right over you. Only remember
this: it would be foolish of you to do
anything now to anger your father
His interests are your interests. Don't
do ANYTHING to jeopardize them OF
course, you can't be forced to marry
a girl YOU don't care for, but your
Co bo rf