The Washington times., 1907-04-14
Mrs. Ryder Becomes In
tereSted in the Girl
and Discusses Jeffer-
sons Love Affairs With
Her.

park was almost deserted az that
hour, and there was a delightful sense
Of solitude and sweet scent Of new
mown hay from the freshly cut lawns.
She found an empty bench. well shad-
ed by an overspreading tree. and she
sat down. grateful for the rest and
quiet.
She wondered what Jefferson thought
of her action in coming 10 his faith
er's house practically ia disguise and
under an assumed name. She must
see him al once, for in him lay her
hope Of obtaining possession Of the
letters. Certainly she felt no deIicacy
or computation IN asking Jefferson to
do her this service. The letters be-
longed TO her father and they were
being wrongfully withheld with the
deliberate purpose Of doing him an
injury. She had a moral II not a
legal right 10 recover the letters IN
any way that she could.
She was so deeply engrossed in her
thoughts that she had not nOticsd a
hanson cab which suddenly drew up
with & jerk at the curb opposite her
bench. A man jumped out IT was
Jefferson.
Hello. Shirley" ne cried gaily;
who would have expected 10 find you
rusticating on a bench heTe2 I pic
tured you grinding away at home do
ing literary stunts for the governor"
He grfnned and then added: Come
for a drive. want TO talk to you
Shirley demurred. No. she could not
spare the time. Yet. she thought 20
herself. why was not this a good op-
portunity TO explain to Jefferson how
he came to md her In his fathers
library masduerad.ng under another
name. and also 10 ask him 10 secure
the letters for her? While she pond
cred Jefferson insisted. and q few
minutes later she found herself sitting
beside him in the cab They started
OF at brisk pee, Shirley sitting with
her head back, enjoying the strong
breeze caused by the rapid motion
Now tell me" he said. what does
it all mean? / was so startled at see
ing you in the library the other day
that I almost betrayed you How did
You come to call on father2'
Briefly Shirley explained everything.
She told him how Mr.. Ryder had
written to her asking her 70 call and
see him. and how she had eager
" seized at this last straw IN
the hope Of helping her father.
She told him about the letters. eX-
planning how necessary they were for
her fathers defense and how she had
discovered then Mr. Ryder. she said.
had seemed 20 take a fancy To her
and had asked her TO remain in the
house as his guest while she was COM
piling his biography, and she had &C
cepted the offer. nor so much for the
amount Of money evolved as for the
splendid opportunity it afforded her to
gain possession Of the letters
so that is the mysterious work
you spoke Otto get those letters?
said Jefferson
Yes, that is my mission. Il was A
secret. I couldn't tell you; I couldn't
tell anyone Only Judge Stott knows
He IS aware I have found them and -
hourly expecting TO receive them from
me And now" she said, I want
your help
His only answer was 70 grasp tight
er the hand she laid IN his She
knew she would not have 70 explain
the nature OF the service she wanted
He understood
Where are the letters?" he de-
manded.
In the Ieft-hand drawer of your
fathers desk" she answered.
He was silent for a few moments
and then he said simply:
II will get them"
The cab By this time had got as far
as Claremont, and from the hill sum-
nit they had a splendid view Of the
broad sweep of the majestic Hudson
and the towering walls OF the blue
palisades. The day was so beautiful
and the air so invigoratins that JET
ferson suggested a ramble along the
banks of the river. They could leave
tho cab At CIaremont and drive back
80 the city later. Shirley was too
grateful 10 him for his promise OF CO.
(-,o~atfcn to make any further oppo-
.5rfou and soon they were far away
from baa.en highways, down on the
hanks Of the historic stream, pick
ing flowers and laughing rnerriiy ike
two truant children bent on SELF
made holiday The place Iney nd0
reached was Just outside the northern
boundaries of Harlem, sylvan spot
SIN uuspoiled by the rude invasion
Of the fiat-house builder The lanQs
fbfclyIv wooded. slOped down Sharply
to the water, and the perfect quiet
was broken only by the Washing OF
the tjnv surf against the river bank
and the ShrlH notes OF the Dlrus IN the
trees
Although It was late in October the
dav was warm, and Shirley soon tired
Of climbing over bramble-entangied
verdure The rich grass under foot
looked cool and inviting. and the nat
raj slope of the ground afford
ing an ideal resting place, she
sat there, with jefferson stretched
out at her feet. both watching
idly the dancing waters Of the broad
hudson, spansled with CLEANS OF
light. as they swept swiftly by on
their Journey to the sea.
Shirley" said Jefferson suddenly.
Il suppose YOU saw that RIDICULOUS
story about my alleged engagement 20
Miss Roberts. / hope you UNDERSTOOD
that it was done without my consent
If I did not guess 1t. JefI, she
answered. your assurance would %
sufficient Besides" she added, what
right have 1 to obfect?
but I want you to have me rlshI.
he reDlted earnestly. m going 70
stop this Roberts nonsense IN way
nv father hardly anticipates N Jus!
waiting a chance to talk 10 nm 4
show him the absurdity o. announcing
me engaged 20 a girl who IS about %
clone with his private secretary
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