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

The Hon. Fitzroy Bagley, younger
son Of British peer had left his
country for his country's good, and in
order to turn an honest penny, which
he had never succeeded in doing at
home, he had entered the service of
Americas foremost financier, hoping
to gather few of the crumbs that fell
from the rich mans table and disguis-
Ing the meuial nature Of his position
under the high sounding title Of pri-
vate secretary His job called for
spy and toady. and he filled these re-
quirements admirably. Excepting with
his employer, of whom he stood in
craven fear, his manner was conde-
scendingly patronizing to all with
whom he came in contact, as If he were
anxious to impress on these American
plebeians the signal honor which a
Fitzroy, son Of a British peer, did
them in deigning to remain in their
''blarsted" country. In Mr.. Ryder's
absence, therefore, he ran the house
to suit himself, bullying the servants
and not infrequently issuing orders
that were contradictory to those al
ready given by Mrs. Ryder.
Jefferson could not bear the sight of
him. In fact, it was this mans con-
tinual presence in the house that had
driven him to seek refuge elsewhere.
He believed him to be scoundrel as
he certainly was cad. Nor was his
estimate Of the English secretary far
wrong. The man, like his master, was
a CRATER, and the particular graft he
was after now was either to make
marriage with a rich American girl or
to so compromise her that the same end
would be attained. He was shrewd
enough to realize that he had little
chance to get what he wanted in the
open matrimonial market, so he deter
mined to attempt a raid and carry off
an heiress under her fathers nose, and
the particular proboscis he had select
ed was that Of his employers friend,
Senator Roberts. The senator and
Miss Roberts were frequently at the
Ryder house. and in course of time the
aristocratic secretary and the daugh-
ter had become quite intimate. A
flighty girl, with no other purpose in
life beyond dress and amusement and
having what she termed "a good time"
Kate thought 1t excellent pastime to
firt with Mr.. Bagley, and when she
discovered ls,at he was serious in his
attentions she felt hattered rather than
indignant. After all, she argued, he
was Of noble birth. If his two broth
ers died, he would be peer OF England,
and she had enough money for both.
He might cot make bad husband.
But she was careful to keep her own
counsel ana not let her father have
any suspicion Of what was going on.
She knew that his heart was set on
her marrying Jefferson Ryder, and she
knew better than any one how 1mpOs'
sible that dream was. She herself liked
Jefferson quite enough TO marry him,
but if his eyes were turned in another
attentions to Miss Rossmore-she was
not going to break her heart about it.
So she continued to f1irt secretly with
the Hon Fitzroy while she still led the
Ryders and her own father to think
that she was interested In Jefferson.
"Jork1ns,' Mr.. Bagley was saying to
the butler, "Mr Ryder will occupy the
not disturbed"
Every good, sir" The butler bowed
and went downstairs. The secretary
looked up and saw Jefferson. His face
Redeemed, and his manner grew nerv-
Gus.
Hello! Back from Europe, Jeffer.
son? How jolly! Your mother will be
delighted. She's in her room upstairs. y
Declining to take the hint and gath.
ering from Bagley's embarrassed man
ner that he wanted to get rid Of him
Jefferson fingered purposely. When
the butler had disappeared, he said:
This house IS getting more and
more like barracks every day. You've
got men all ever the place. One can't
move step without falling over one.'
Mr.. Bagley drew himself up stifay
as he always did when assuming an
air of authority.
"Your fathers personality demands
the utmost precaution," he replied
1--WE cannot leave the life of the rich.
est and MOST powerful inancier in the
world at the mercy Of the rabble."
"What rabble?' inquired Jefferson
amused.
1.-THE common rabble, the lower class
the f-raff," explained Mr.. Bagley.
"Pshaw!' laughed Jefferson. IF ou1
financiers we're only half as respecta.
BILE as the common rabble, as you call
them, they would need no bars to their
houses"
Mr. Bagley sneered and shrugged his
shoulders.
"Your father has warned me against
your socia!istic views" Then, with q
lofty air, he added: For four years ]
was third groom Of the bedchamber to
the second son Of England's queen. ]
know my responsibilities"
"But you ere not groom of the bed.
chamber here" retorted Jefferson.
..'Whateve: am" said Mr.. Bagley
haughtily, 4 am answerable to your
father alone"
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