The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1907-07-06


when it breaks through the clouds aft
er days Of gloom. Quite a friendship
sprang. mp between the two women.
and when tired Of writing Shirley
would go into Mrs. Ryders room and
chat until the fnancier's wife began TO
look forward TO these little imprompiu
visits. so much she enjoyed them.
Nothing more had been $50 concern
Ing jefferson and Miss Roberts. The
young man had not yet seen his father.
bnt his mother knew be vas only wait
Ing an opportunity TO demand "a expla-
nation Of the engagement ansol.Ace-
nents Her husband. on the other
hand, desired the match more than
ever. owing to the continued importtI-
mites Of Senator Roberts. As usual
Mrs. Ryder confided these little domes-
tic troubles to Shirley.
Jefferson" she said sis very angry
He is determined not TO marry the
girl, and when he and his father do
meet there'll be another scene"
"What objection has your son to
Miss Roberts, inquired Shirley inno-
Gently.
"0h, the usual reason" sighed the
mother. and I've no doubt he knows
best He's in love with another girl
a Miss Rossmore"
"Oh, yes" answered Shirley simply.
"Mr Ryder spoke Of her"
Mrs. Ryder was silent. and present.
ly she left the girl alone with her
work
The next afternoon Shirley was IN
her room busy writing when there
came tap at her door. Thinking If
was another visit from Mrs. Ryder.
she did not look up, but cried out pleas
antly.
Come inr'
John Ryder entered He smiled cor
daily aud as If apologzing for the
intrusion, said amlably;
Il thought I'd run up to see how you
We're getting along"
His coming was so unexpected ~.
for a moment Shirley was startled. but
she quickly regalned her composure
and asked him to take seat. He
seemed pleased TO find her mixing sucn
good progress, and lie stopped to am
swer a number of questions she put TO
him. Shirley tried 20 he cordial, but
when she looked well at him and noted
the keen. hawk-llze eyes. the cruel
vindictlve lines about the mouth. the
square set, relentless jaw--Wall street
had gone wrong with the Colossus that
day, ana he was stlll wearing his war
paint she recalled the wrong this man
bad done her father, and she felt how
bitterly she hated him The more her
mind dwelt upon It the more exasper-
ated she was 10 think she should be
there, a guest under his roof, and II
was only with the greatest difficulty
that she remained civil.
"What is the moral of your life?p
she demanded bluntly.
He was quick 10 note the con.emptu-
Gus tone in her voice, and he gave her
trying TO read her thoughts and fathom
the reason for her very evident hostil-
ity toward him.
what do you mean?" he asked.
81 mean what can YOU show as your
life work. Most men whose lives are
big enough to call for Biographies have
done something useful They have
been famous statesmen, eminent scien-
fists. celebrated authors great invent
ors. What have you doneT'
The question appeared TO stagger
him The audacity OF any one putting
such a question 10 a man IN his own
house was Incredible. He squared his
jaws. and his clinched 6st descended
heavily on the table
"What have | doneT' he cried Il
have built up the greatest fortune ever
accumulated by one man. My fabu-
lous wealth has caused my name 20
spread 10 the four corners Of the earth.
Is that not an achievement TO relate
to future generations
Shirley gave lldle shrug OF her
shoulders.
Future generations will take no in
terest in you or your millions" she
said calmly. "Our civilization VIII
have made such progress 10y that time
that people VIII merely wonder why
we. IN our day. tolerated men OF your
class so long. Now it is different The
world Is money mad. You are per
son Of Importance IN the eyes OF the
unthlnking multitude. but It only en-
vles you your fortune; it does not ad-
mire you personally. When you die,
people viii count your millions. not
your good deeds"
He laughed cynleally ana drew mp a
chair near her desk As a general
thing John Ryder never wasted words
on women. He had but poor opinion
OF their mentality and considered It be-
meath the dignity OF any man To enter
into serious argument with a woman
IN fact. it WAS seldom he condescaA.l-
ed TO argue with any one, He gave or
ders and talked 20 people; he had no
patience 10 I've talked 10. Yet he fonud
himself listening with interest to this
young woman who expressed herself
SO frankly. II was decided novelty
for him TO hear the truth.
'-What do 1 care what the world
says when I'm deadg' he asked With
a forced laugh
"You do care" replied Shirley grave
H.. "Ydu may school Yourself 10 be-