The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-04-15
CONTINUED

so you think your life IL q good e.
ample to follow?" she asked, with a
tinge of irony.
isn't it?' he demanded.
The girl looked him square in the
face.
"Suppose," she said. 1--WE all wanted
to follow it; suppose we all wanted to
be the richest, the most powerful per-
sonage Ia the world?"
"Well, what them" he demanded.
II think it would postpone the era Of
the brotherhood OF man indefinitely,
don't your
Il never thought Of it from that
point Of view," admitted the billoinaire.
REALLY he added. you're an ex-
traordlnary girl Why, you can't be
more than twenty Or So"
Pm twenty-four or so," smiled Shir-
ley.
Ryder's face expanded in broad
smile. He admired this girls pluck
and ready wit. He grew more amiable
and tried to gain her confidence. In
coaxing tone he said:
"Come, where did you get those de-
tails? Take me into your confidence"
II have taken you into my conf
dence," laughed Shirley, pointing at her
book "It cost you $3.50" Turning
over the papers he had put before her,
she said presently, II don't know about
this"
"You don't think my life would make
good reading?" he asked. with some
asperity.
1T might" she replied slowly, as If
unwilling to commit herself as to it's
commercial or literary value. Then
she said frankly: ITO tell you the hon
est truth, l don't consider mere genius
in money making is sufficient provoca-
ton for rushing into print. You see,
unless you come to bad end, it would
have no moral"
Ignoring the not very hattering in
situation contained in this last speech,
the plutocrat continued to urge her:
"You can name your own price If you
will do the work. he said. 1.-Two,
three or even five thousand dollars.
It's only few months work.
give thousand dollars?" echoed
Shirley That's lot, Of money
Smiling, she added: 1T appeals to my
commercial sense. But I'm afraid the
subject does not arouse my enthusiasm
from an artistic standpoint"
Ryder seemed amused at the idea OF
any one hesitating to make 5000. BE
knew that writer's do not run across
such opportunities every day.
Upon my word" he said, Il don't
know why I'm so anxious to get you
to do the work. suppose It's be-
cause you don't want to. You remind
Shirley started involuntarily wher
Ryder mentioned his son. But he die
not notice it.
"Why, Is he wild?' she asked, as Il
only mildly interested.
'Oh, no; wish he were," said Ryder
Fallen in love with the wrong wo
man, suppose" she said.
"Something of the sort. How die
you guess?' asked Ryder, surprised.
Shirley coughed to meet her embar
rassment and replied indifferently:
$50 many boys do that Besides,
she added, with a mischievous twinkle
In her eyes, Il can hardly imagine tina
any woman would be the right one I'm
less you selected her yourself!
Ryder made no answer. He foldet
his arms and gazed at her Who wa
this woman who knew him so well
who could read his iGmost thoughts
who never made mistake? After ,
silence he said:
do you know you say the stranges
thingsT'
Truth is strange" replied Shirle,
carelessly. II don't suppose YOU hea
1t very often
''Not in that form,' admitted Ryde,
Shirley had taken on to her la
some Of the letters he had passed he
and was perusing them one after an
other.
"All these letters from washington
consulting you on politics and fnanc
they won't interest the world"
MY secretary picked them out" ez
planned Ryder. "Your artistic sens
Will tell you what to use.''
Does your son still love this girl
mean the one you object to-" inquire
Shirley as she went op sorting the pa
pers.
"Oh, no, he does not care for her an
more" answered Ryder hastily.
Yes, he does. He still loves her.
said Shirley positively.
How do you know?" asked Ryde,
amazed
"From the way you say he doesn't,
retorted Shirley
Ryder gave his caller look in wlaic
admiration was mingled with astonist
mant.
"You are right again. he said. 9TH
idiot does love the GIRL
BLESS his hearth said Shirley to he,
/. self. Aloud she said:
:. II hope they'll both outwit you"
Ryder laughed in spite of himself
: This young woman certainly intereste
him more than any other he had eve
known.
II don't think 1 ever met any on