Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-09

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covery OF the letters. and after explain
ing the nature of the work offered to
lfner, said that her address for the next
feWsWeeks would he in care of John
Bnrkett Ryder. All was going better
than she had5dared to hope. Every
thing seemed to favour their plan. Her
first step, of course, while in the Ryder
nome, would be to secure possession of
her fathers letters and these she
would dispatch at once to Massapequa,
SO they could be laid before the senate
without delay.
SO, after settling accounts with her
landlady and packing up her few be-
longings, Shirley lost no time in trans
ferring herself to the more luxurious
quarters provided for her in the ten
miilion-dcllar mansion uptown.
AT the Ryder house she was received
cordially and with every mark of con-
sideration. The housekeeper came
down to the main hall to greet her
! when she arrived and escorted her. to
the suite of rooms, comprising a
small working library, q bedroom sim
ply but dainty furnished in pink and
white and a private bathroom, which
had been specially prepared for her
convenience and comfort, and here
presently she was joined by Mrs.
Ryder.
Dear me" exclaimed the financier's
WIFE,, staring curiously at Shirley.
what a young girl you are to have
made such stir with book! How did
you do it? I'm sure couldn't. It's
as much ISL can do to write a letter,
and half the time that's not legible''
ooh, it wasn't so hard" laughed Shir-
ley. 1T was the subject that appeal
ed rather than any special skill of
mine. The trusts and their misdeeds
are the favonrite topics of the hour.
The whole country is talking about
nothing else. My book came at the
right time. that's ALL"
Although ''The American Octopus"
was Il direct attack on her own hus.
band, Mrs. Ryder secretly admired this
young woman. who had dared to speak
a few blunt truths. 1t was courage
which. alas! she had always lacked
herself, but there was certain salts
faction in knowing there were women
in the world not entirely cowed by the
tyranI Man
Il have always wanted daughter"
went on Mrs. Ryder, becoming con
fidential, while Shirley removed her
things and made herself at home;
girls of your age are so companion
able Then, abruptly. she asked: do
your parents live in New York;"
Shirley's face flushed and she stoop-
ed over her trunk to hide her embar-
rassment.
"No-not at present" she answered
evasively. My mother and father are
in the country"
She was afraid that more questions
of a personal nature would follow but
apparently Mrs, Ryder was not in an
inquisitive mood, for she asked nothing
further. She only said:
81 have a son, but don't see much
of him. You must meet my Jefferson.
He is such nice boy
Shirley tried to look unconcerned as
she replied:
81 met him yesterday. Mr.. Ryder
| introduced him to me-"
Poor lad. he has his troubles too
went on Mrs. Ryder Hes in love
with girl but his father wants him
to marry someone else. They're quar-
relling over it all the time"
|
tiers of the heart" said Shirley deci-
sively" What is more serious than
the choosing of life companion, and
who are heteter entitled to make a
free selection than they who are going
to spend the rest of their days to.
gethe1? OF course, it is a fathers duty
to give his son the benefit of his ripper
experience. but to insist on marriage
bused only on business interests is
little less than crime. There are
considerations more important Ii the
union is to a happy or a lasting one
The chief thing is that the man should
i feel real attachment fo- the woman he
marries. Two people who are to live
together as man and wife must be
compatible in tastes and temper. You
cannot mix oil and water 1t is these
selfish marriages which keep oul
I divorce courts. busy Money alone
won't buy happiness in marriage"
mo" sighed Mrs Ryder, mo one
! knows. that better than L.