The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-03-04

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the girl, .s
"What?" he cried incredulously.
you remain here to tell me that you
cannot listen to me when you could
easily have avoided listening to me
without telling me so! Kate, your cold
ness is not convincing"
"You mean you think want to listen
TO your she demanded.
II do" he answered, stepping for
ward as If to take her in his arms.
''Mr. Bagle.7" she exclaimed, recofl-
ing.
"A week ago." he persisted, "you
called me Fftzroy. Once in an out
burst of confidence you called me
Fttz.''
"You hadn't asked me to marry you
then," she laughed mockingly. Then,
edging away toward the door, she
waved her hand at him playfully and
said teasingly: "Good by, Mr.. Bagley.
I am going upstairs to Mrs. Ryder. I
will await my fathers return in her
ROOM I think shall be safer.'
He ran forward to intercept her, but
she was too quick for him. The door
slammed in his face, and she was gone.
Meantime Jefferson had proceeded
upstairs, passing through long and
luxuriously carpeted corridors with
paneled frescoed walls and hung with
grand old tapestries and splendid paint
ings, until he came to his mothers
room. He knocked.
"Come 1nv' called out the familiar
voice.
He entered. Mrs. Ryder was busy
at her escritoire looking over mass
Of household accounts.
''Hello, mctherl How's father?" he
cried, running up and hugging her in
his boy1sh, impulsive way. Jefferson
had always been devoted to his mother,
and, while he deplored her weakness in
permitting herself to be so completely
under the domination Of his father, she
had always found him an affectionate,
and loving son.
Mrs. Ryder sighed while she looked
her son over proudly. In her heart she
was glad Jefferson had turned out as
he had. Her boy certainly would never
be fnancier to be attacked in maya
zines and books. Answering his ques-
ton, she said:
"Your father is as we'll as those busy
bodies in the newspapers will let him
be. He's considerably worried just
now over that new book, The Amer1-
can Octopus How dare they make
him out such a monster? He's no
worse than other successful men. He's
richer, that's all, and it makes them
jealous. He's out driving now with
Senator Roberts. Kate is somewhere
in the house-in the library, think"
Eyes, I found her there" replied
Jefferson dryly. "She was with that
cad, Bagley. When is father going to
find that fellow out?''
"Oh, Jefferson" protested his moth
er, chow can you talk like that Of Mr..
Bagley? He is such perfect gentle
man. His family connections alone
should entitle him to respect. He is
certainly the best secretary your ia
Their ever had. I'm sure I don't know
what we should do without him. He
knows everything that a gentleman
should
'And a good deal more, 1 wager"
growled Jefferson. HE wasn't groom
of the backstairs to England's queen
for nothing" Then changing the topic,
he said suddenly: Talking about Kate,
mother, we have got to reach some
definite understanding. This talk about
my marrying her must stop. intend
to take the matter up with father to-
day."
"Oh, Of course, more troubled" re-
piled his mother in resigned Tone
She was so accustomed to having her
wishes thwarted that she was never
surprised at anything. 1--WE heard Of
your goings on in Paris. That Miss
Rossmore was there, was she not?"
THAT has got nothing to do with Il, -
replied Jefferson warmly. He resented
shirley's name being dragged into the
discussion. Then more calmly he went
on: "Now, mother, be reasonable. Lis
L
have already shown my father that
will not be dictated to and that can
earn my own living. He has no right
to force this marriage on me. There
has never been any misunderstanding
on Kate's part. She and understand
each other thoroughly"
"Well, Jefferson, you may be right
from your point of view," replied his
mother weakly. She invariably ended
by agreeing with the last one who ar
gued with her. 'You are of age, Of
course. Your parents have only a
moral right over you. Only remember
this: It would be foolish of you to do
anything nov to anger your father. His
interests are your interests. Don't do
anything to jeopardize them. OF course
you can't be forced to marry a girl you
don't care for, but your father will be
bitterly disappointed. He had set his
heart on this match. He knows all
about your infatuation for Miss Ross
moro or1 ~ hoo ,,oo1o hin, r