Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1907-12-30

IL repeat that even II l had could
not expose the men who have been my
friends. It's noblesse oblige in politics
as well as In society. you know"
He smiled again at her, as If he had
recovered his good humor after their
sharp passages at arms
"Oh. It's politics. That's what the
papers said And you believe him In
nocent. Well, you must have some
grounds for your belief"
"Not necessarily"
"You said that even IL you had the
proofs you could not produce them
without sacrificing your friends. show
ing that your friends are interested In
having this man put or the bench
she stopped and burst into hysterical
laughter. "Oh. think you're having
a joke az my expense" she went on.
'just 10 see how far you can lead me.
daresay Judge Rossmore deserves all
he gets. oh. yes, I'm sure he deserves
H." She rose and walked TO the other
side Of the room to conceal her emo
ton.
Ryder watched her curiously.
"My dear young lady. how you take
this matter TO hearth
please forgive me-" laughed Shlr-
ley and averting her face to conceal
the fact that her eyes were filed with
tears. Its my artistic temperament.
i suppose. It's always getting me into
trouble. 10 appealed so strongly to my
sympathies this story of hopeless love
between two young people, with the
father OF the girl bounded by corrupt
politicians and INSCRIPTIONS financiers.
IL was too much for me. All. ali, /
forgot where | VAST
She leaned against a chair, sick and
faint from nervousness. her whole body
trembling. At that moment there was
n knock at the library door, and JEFF
ferson Ryder appeared. Not seeing
Shirley. whose back was toward him,
he advanced to greet his father.
you told me to come up in five min
utes." he said. 81 just wanted to
say
Miss Green" said Ryder senior, adj
dressing Shirley and ignoring whatever
it was that the young man wanted to
say, this is my son Jefferson. Jeff,
this is Miss Green"
Jefferson looked in the direction indi-
Gated and stood as if rooted to the
floor. He was so surprised that he was
struck dumb. Finally, recovering him
self, he exclaimed:
shirley
"Yes, Shirley Green, the author" ex-
planned Ryder senior, not noticing the
note Of familiar recognition in his eX-
clamation.
Shirley advanced and, holding out
her nand to Jefferson, said demurely:
Il am very pleased to meet you, Mr..
ryder" Then quickly in an undertone
she added: BE careful. Don't betray
me-"
Jefferson was so astoulded that he
did not see the outstretched hand. All
he could do was to stand and stare
first at her and then at his father
"Why don't you shake hands will
herr" said Ryder senior. "She Won
bite you" Then he added: Miss Greer
is going 20 do some literary work fol
me. so we shall see a great deal of her
It's too bad you're going away III
chuckled at his own pleasantly.
Father" blurted out jefferson, g
came TO say that I've changed m.
mind. You did not want me to go. an,
feel ought to do something to pleas
you"
Good b9y," said Ryder, pleased
"Now you're talking common sense.
HE turned 70 Shirley, who was gettin
ready to make her departure; Wei
Miss Green. we may consider the mai
ter settled. You undertake the wor
at the price | named and finish it q
soon as you can. OF course you wi
have to consult me a good deal cs yo
40 along, so think it would be bette
for YOU to come and stay here Will
the work is progressing. Mrs. Ryde
can give you suit of rooms to you
self. where you Will be undisturbe'
and you will have all your materi'
close at hand. What 90 you sayf'
Shirley was silent for a momen
She looked first at Ryder and then ;
his son. and from them her SlanC
went TO the little drawer on the lie
hand side Of the desk Then she sd
quietly;
AS you think best. Mr.. Ryder. a
cutie willing to Go the work here
RYDER senior escorted her to the t
OF the landing and watched her as S.
passed down the grand staircase, US
cred by the goTgeously uniformed flu
kies. TO the front door and the street.
CHAPTER XIII.