The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-03-16

the year. and that 1t portrayed with
q pitiless pen the personality Of the
biggest figure in the commercial life
of America. Although" wrote one
reviewer, 'the leading character in the
hook Is given another name there can
be no doubt that the author intended
to give to the world a vivid pen portrait
Of John Burkett Ryder. She has sue
ceeded in presenting remarkable
character study of the most -remarka-
BILE man of his time"
He was particularly pleased with the
reviews. not only for Miss Rossmore's
sake. but also because his own vanity
was gratified. Had he not collabor-
ated on the book to the extent Of &C.
quainting the author with details Of
his fathers life and his character
istics which no outsider could posi-
bly, have learned? There had been no
disloyalty to his father in doing this.
Jefferson admired his fathers smart
ness, If he could not approve his
methods. lie did not consider the book
All attack on his father, but rather a
powerfully written pen picture of an
extraordinary man.
The acquaintance of his son with the
daughter OF Judge Rossmare had not
escaped the eagle eye Of Ryder, ST.,
and much to the financier's annoyance
and even CONSERVATION he had ascer-
tanned that jefferson was frequent
caller at the Rossmore home. He i'm
mediatcly jumped to the conclusion
that this could mean only one thing,
and fearing what he termed 1.-THE con.
sequences Of the insanity Of immature
minds" he had summoned Jefferson
peremptorily to his presence. He told
his son that all idea of marriage in
that quarter was out of the question
for two reasons: One was that Judge
Rossmore was his most bitter enemy,
the other was that he had hoped to see
his son, his destined successor, marry
a woman Of whom he, Ryder, ST.. could
approve. He knew of such a woman,
one who would make far more de-
sirable mate than Miss Rossmore. He
alluded. of course, to Kate Roberts,
the pretty daughter of his old friend,
the senator. The family interests
would benefit by this alliance. which
was desirable from every point of
view.
Jefferson had listened respectfully
until his father had finished and then
grimly remarked that only one point
Of view had been overlooked-his own.
He did not care for Miss Roberts; he
did not think she really cared for him.
The marriage was out of the question.
Whereupon Ryder. ST.. had fumed and
ragged. declaring that Jefferson was OPP
posing his will as he always did, and
ending With the threat that If his son
married Shirley Rossmore without his
consent he would disinhcrit him.
Jefferson was cogitating on these ILL
cidcnts Of the last few months when
suddenly Il feminine voice which he
quickly recognized called out in Eng
lish:
"Hello! Mr.. Ryder"
lie looked up and saw two ladies,
one young, the other middle aged, smil-
ing ut him from an open tiacre WHICH
had drawn up to the curb. Jefferson
jumped from his seat, upsetting his
chair and startling two nervous
Frenchmen in his hurry, and fastened
out, hat in hand.
"Why, Miss Rossmore, what are You
doing out driving?" he asked. "You
know you and Mrs. Blake promised
to dine with me tonight. l was COM
ing round to the hotel in few mo-
ments."
Mrs. Blake was younger sister of
Shirley's mother. Her husband had
died Il few years previously, leaving
her small income. and when she had
heard Of her niece's contemplated trip
to Europe she had decided to come to
Paris to meet her and incidentally to
chapelon her. The two women were
stopping at the Grand Hotel close by,
while Jefferson had found accommoda.
tons at the Athenee.
Shirley explained. Her aunt wanted
to go to the dressmaker's, and she her.
self was most anxious to go to the
Luxembourg Gardens to hear the mu-
sic. Would he take her? Then they
could meet Mrs. Blake at the hotel at
o'clock and all go to dinner. Was
he willing?
Mrs. Blake said she would get out
here. Her dressmaker was close by,
in the Rue Auber, and she would walk
back to the hotel to meet them at Z
o'clock. Jefferson assisted her to
alight and escorted her as far as the
porte cochere of the modiste's; a couple
of doors away. When he returned to
the carriage, Shirley had already told
the coachman where to go. He got in.
and the fiacre started.
Now" said Shirley, tell me what
you have been doing with yourself all
day"
jefferson was busily arranging the
faded carriage rug about Shirley,
spending more time in the task per-
haps than was absolutely necessary,
and she had to repeat the question.
"DoingY he echoed, with smile.
"I've been doing two things-waiting
/, impatiently for o'clock and incidental.
F., ~ reading the notices of your book"
| CHAPTER Nv.