y
until he reached the library safely."

"Oh," laughed Jefferson, "he's afraid some one will kidnap him?
Certainly he would be a rich prize. I wouldn't care for the job
myself, though. They'd be catching a tartar."

His speech was interrupted by a timid knock at the door.

"May I come in to say good-bye?" asked a voice which they
recognized as Kate's. She had successfully escaped from Mr.
Bagley's importunities and was now going home with the Senator.
She smiled amiably at Jefferson and they chatted pleasantly of his
trip abroad. He was sincerely sorry for this girl whom they were
trying to foist on him. Not that he thought she really cared for
him, he was well aware that hers was a nature that made it
impossible to feel very deeply on any subject, but the idea of
this ready-made marriage was so foreign, so revolting to the
American mind! He thought it would be a kindness to warn her
against Bagley.

"Don't be foolish, Kate," he said. "I was not blind just now in
the library. That man is no good."

As is usual when one's motives are suspected, the girl resented
his interference. She knew he hated Mr. Bagley and she thought it
mean of him to try and get even in this way. She stiffened up and
replied coldly:

"I think I am able to look after myself, Jefferson. Thanks, all
the same."

He shrugged his shoulders and made no reply. She said good-bye to
Mrs. Ryder, who was again immersed in her tradespeople bills, and
left the room, escorted by Jefferson, who accompanied her
downstairs and on to the street where Senator Roberts was waiting
for her in the open victoria. The senator greeted with unusual
cordiality the young man whom he still hoped to make his
son-in-law.

"Come and see us, Jefferson," he said. "Come to dinner any
evening. We are always alone and Kate and I will be glad to see
you."

"Jefferson has so little time now, father. His work and--his
friends keep him pretty busy,"

Jefferson had noted both the pause and the sarcasm, but he said
nothing. He smiled and the senator raised his hat. As the carriage
drove off the young man noticed that Kate glanced at one of the
upper windows where Mr. Bagley stood behind a curtain watching.
Jefferson returned to the house. The psychological moment had
arrived. He must go now and confront his father in the library.

CHAPTER IX

The library was the most important room in the Ryder mansion, for
it was there that the Colossus carried through his most im