Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-10-09

81 Settling herself comfort
ably back in the carriage,
Shirley questioned jefferson with Gag
rrnr~'. even anxiety. Shc had been
impaticutly awaiting the arrival of the
newspapers from home" for 50 much
depended on this first effort. She
knew her book had been praised in
some quarters. and her publishers had
written her that the sales were bigger
every day. but she was curious t. learn
how 1t had been received 10y the re
viewers.
Shirley was not beautiful. but hers
was face that never failed 10 attract
attention. 1t was thoughtful and in
teresting face. with an Intellectual
brow and large. expressive eyes, the
face of Il wonIan who had both brain
power and ideals, and yet who. ut the
same time, was In perfect sympathy
with the world. She was fair in COM
plcXion, and her fine brown eyes. alter
nately reflective and alert. were Shad
eel by long dark lashes. Her eyebrows
Were dclicately arched. and she had Il
good nose. She Wore her hair we'll off
the forehead. which was broader than
In the average woman. suggesting good
mentality. Her mouth. however. was
her strongest feature. 1t was we'll
shaped but there were firm lines about
1t that suggested unusual will power.
N.t ~ c,,jlnl r.nliIx- ,-ln Il 4
there was an agreeable vision of
strong, healthy looking teeth of daZ-
Zling wilderness. She was n little over
medium height and slender in figure
and carried herself with that unmis-
taxable air of we'll bred independence
that bespeaks birth and culture. She
dressed stylishly. and. while her gowns
We're Of rich material and Of cut
suggesting expensive modistcs. she
was always So quietly attired and IN
such perfect taste that after leaving
her one could never recall what she
had on.
Tell me-" she repeated. what do
the papers say about the book
Say" he echoed. why, simply
that you've written the biggest book
of the year. that's all"
Really. oh. do tell me all they
said She WAS fairly excited now.
and in her enthusiasm she graspcd
JefrrrSon's broad. sunburnt hand which
was Ling outside the carriage rug
He tried to appear unconscious OF the
contact, which made his every nerve
tingle, as he proceeded to tell her the
gist of the reviews he had read that
afternoon.
isn't that spiendid?" she exclaimed
when he had finished. Then sic added
quickly:
Il wonder If your father has seen 1t.
Jefferson Grinncd. He had some
thing on his conscience, AMI this was
He replied laconically:
He probably has read 1t by this
time. sent him copy myself"
The instant the words were out of
his mouth he WAS sorry, for Shirleys
face had changed color
You sent him copy of The Amer
lean Octopus" she cried. Then he'll!
guess who wrote the book
"Oh. no. he won't" rcj"incd JclTcr
son calmly. ''IIe has no idea who sent
II to him. mailed 1t anonymously"
Shirley brcathed Il sigh of relief. 1t
was so important that her identity
should remain Il secret. AS daughter
of Il supreme court judge she had TO be
most careful. She would not cmbar-
rass her father for anything In the
world.
Suddenly Jefferson asked her:
''Have you heard from home recent
ly?'
Il had letter from father last week
Everything was going on ut home rs
when left. Father says he misses
me sadly and that mother /; ailin., rs
usual"
She smiled. and jefferson smiled too
They both knew by experience that
nothing really serious allied Mrs. Ross
more. who was good deal of n hypo-
chondriac and always SO filled with
aches and pains that on the few occa-
sions when she really felt well she was
genuinely alarmed.
The cab stopped suddenly in front
of beautiful gilded gates 1t was the
Luxembourg. and through the tall rail-
ings they caught glimpse OF we'll
kept lawns. splashing fountains and
richly dressed children playing. From
the distance came the stirring strains
of brass band.
The coachman drove up to the curb
and Jefferson jumped down, assisting
Shirley to alight.
They entered the gardens, following
the sweet scented paths until they
came to where the music was. The
band Of an infantry regiment was play
Ing, and n large crowd had gathered
Many people were sitting ON the chairs
provided for visitors for the modest fee
OF two sous; others were promenading
round and round great circle having
the musicians in its center The dense
foliage of the trees overhead afforded
perfect shelter from the hot rays Of
tHc sun, anu Tue pace WIS SO lONltlnH
and Interesting. so cool and so full Of
sweet perfumes and sounds. appealing
to and satisfying the senses. that Shlr-
ley wished they had more time to
spend there.
isn't 1t delightful hcre?" said she.
Il could stay here forever, couldn't
YOU
with you-yes," answered Jefrer-
son, with significant smile.
Shirley tried To- look angry. She
strictly discouraged these convention
nj, sentimental speeches Which con-
stanily flung her sex in her face.
'NoW. you know | don't like YOU to
talk that way. Mr.. Ryder It's most
undi@nitied. Please he sensible"
quite subducd. jefferson relapsed
into n sulky silence Presently he
said:
II wish you wouldn't call me Mr..
Ryder. ! meant to ask you this before.
You know very well that you've no
great love for the name. and If you
persist you'll end by including me In
your bafroI Of tho baro AZ ynur loo,. "