The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1911-04-13

for the arnor OF Achilles. 10 the left
! Of this, at the top Of another flight
leading to the library, was hung fine
full length portrait of John Burkett
Ryder. The ceilings here as in the
lower hall were richly gilt and adorned
with paintings by famous modern art-
lists. When he reached this floor JEFF
ferson was about to turn to the right
and proceed direct to his mothers suit
when he heard a voice near the library
door. 1t was Mr. Bagley giving in.
structions to the butler.
The Hon. Fitzroy Bagley, a younger
son Of a 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 fnancier, hoping
to gather few of the crumbs that fell
from the rich mans table and disguis-
Ing the mental nature of his position
under the high sounding title Of pri-
vate secretary. His job called for
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, rs If he were
anxious to impress on these American
plebeians the signal honor which
FitzrOy, son of British peer, did
them in deigning to remain in their
"blarsted" country. In Mr.. Ryders
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 a 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 rich American girl or
would he attained. He was shrewd
enough to realize that he had little
chance to get what lie wanted in the
open matrimonial market, so he deter
mined to attempt raid and carry off
an heiress under her fathers nose, and
the particular proboscis he had select
ed was that of his employers friend,
hn
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
Eighty girl, with no other purpose in
life beyond dress and amusement and
having what she termed "a good time,"
Kate thought it excellent pastime to
fiirt with Mr.. Bagley, and when she
discovered that he was serious in his
attentions she felt fattered rather than
indignant. After all, she argued, he
was of noble birth. II his two broth
ers died, he would be peer Of England,
and she had enough money for both.
He might not make bad husband.
But she was careful to keep her own
counsel and 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 impos-
sible that dream was. She herself liked
Jefferson quite enough to marry him,
but if his eyes were turned in another
direction-and she knew all about his
attentions to Miss Rossmore-she was
not going to break her heart about it.
So she continued to flirt secretly with
the Hon. Fitzroy while she still led the
Ryders and her own father to think
that she was interested in Jefferson.
"Jorkins," Mr.. Bagley was saying to
the butler, "Mr. Ryder will occupy the
library on his return. See that he Is
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 he
delighted. She's in her room upstairs"
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 lad disappeared, he said:
this house is getting more and
more like barracks every day. You've
got men all over the place. One can't
move step without falling over one"
Mr.. Bapley drew himself uD stif1y,
as he always did when assuming an
mir Of authority.
'Your fathers personality demands
the utmost precaution," he replied.
1--WE cannot leave the life of the rich
est and most powerful fnancier in the
world at the mercy of the rabble."
"What rabbleY inquired Jefferson,
amused.
1.-THE common rabble, the lower class,
the rif-ranf," explained Mr.. Bagley.
"Pshawr' laughed Jefferson. Jour
f1nanciers wore only half aa resnecta.