Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-12-04


the man Of millions. So far. she
thought, he had not got the best Of her.
She was fast becoming used to him.
and her first feeling of intimidation
WAS passing away.
TIM" grunted Ryder You're Il
curious girl. Upon my VOID you inter-
est me- He took the mass OF papers
lying at his elbow and pushed them
over 10 her. Here" he said, Il want
you 10 make as clever Il book out Of
this chaos as you did out Of your own
! Imagination"
Shirley turned the papers over care
leSsly.
80 you think your life is Il good ex-
! ample to follow" she asked. with a
tinge of irony.
Isn't itI' he demanded.
The girl looked him square in the
face.
Suppose" she said. I'VE all wanted
u follow it; suppose we all wanted to
be the richest. the most powerful per-
sonagc IN the world?'
well. what them" he demanded.
Il think 1t would postpone the era Of
the brotherhood OF man indefinitely,
don't YOU"
Il never thought Of 1t from that
point of view" admitted the bllolnaIre.
REALLY" he added, you're an ex-
traordinury girl. Why. You can't be
more than twenty or So"
I'm twcnty-four or So" smiled Shr-
ley.
Ryder's face expanded In n broad
smile. He admired this girls pluck
and ready wit. He grew more amiable
and tried to gain her confidence. In a
coaxing tone he said:
"Comc, where did you get those de-
tails? Take me into your confidence"
II have taken you into my conf
dence." laughed Shirley, pointing at her
book 1T cost you $3.50" Turning
over the papers he had put before her,
she said presently, II don't know about
this"
you don't think my life would make
good reading?" he asked. with some
asperity.
1T might" she replied slowly. as II
unwilling to commit herself as to Its
commercial or literary value. Then
she said frankly: ITO tell you the hon
est truth, l don't consider mere genius
in money making is sufficient prOvoca-
ton for rushing into print. You see,
unless you come to bad end, 1t would
have no moral"
Ignoring the not very fattering in
situation contained In this last speech,
the plutocrat continued to urge her:
You can name your own price II you
will do the work." he said. Two.
three or even five thousand dollars.
It's only few months work"
give thousand dollarsT' echoed
Shirley. That's lot Of money"
Smiling. she added: 1T appeals to my
commercial sense. But I'm afraid the
subject does not arouse my enthusiasm
| from an artistic standpoint"
Ryder seemed amused Mt the idea OF
any one hesitating to make 5000. He
knew that writer's do not run across
such opportunities every day.
Upon my word" he said. Il don't
know why I'm SO anxious to get you
to do the work. l suppose it's be-
cause you don't want to. You remind
me Of my son. All, he's problem!'
Shirley started involuntarily when
Ryder mentioned his son. But lie did
not notice 1t.
"Why. is he wild?" she asked, as II
only mildly interested.
| ''Oh, no; wish he were," said Ryder.
Fallen in love with the wrong wo-
man, suppose" she said.
| Something Of the sort. How did
you guessY asked Ryder. surprised.
Shirley coughed to meet her embar-
rassment and replied indifferently:
$50 many boys do that Besides"
she added, with mischievous twinkle
In her eyes, Il can hardly imagine that
any woman would be the right one un-
less you selected her yourself!'
Ryder made no answer. He folded
his arms and gazed at her. Who was
this woman who knew him so well,
who could read his Utmost thoughts,
who never made Il mistake? After q
silence lie sac:
"DO you know you say the strangest
thingsT
Truth IS strange" replied Shirley
carelessly. Il don't suppose you hear
1t very often"
mot In that FORM" admitted Ryder
Shirley had taken on to her lap
some Of the letters he had passed her
and was perusing them one after an.
other.
"All these letters from Washington
consulting you on politics and finance
they won't interest the world"
MY secretary picked them out" ex.
planned Ryder. Your artistic sense
will tell you what to use"
docs your son still love this girll
l mean the one you object to-" inquired
Shirley as she went on sorting the pa.
pers.
"Oh. no. he does not care for her any
more" answered Ryder hastily.
Yes, he does. He still loves her."
said Shirley positively.
How do you known asked Ryder
amazed.
From the way you say he doesn't
retOrted Shirley.
Ryder gave his caller look In which
admiration was mingled with astonish
ment
"YOu are right again." he said. "The
idiot does love the girl"
BLESS his hearth said Shirley to her
self. Aloud she said:
Il hope they'll both outwit you"
Ryder laughed In spite Of himself
This young woman certainly interested
him more than any other he had ever
known.
Il don't think l ever met any one