The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-07-17


gued with her ''You are of age, Of
course. Your parents have only a
moral right over you. Only remember
this: 1t would be foolish of you to do
anything now to anger your father. His
interests are your interests. Don't do
anything to jeopardlze 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 infatuatlon for Miss Ross
more, and 1t has made him furious. l
suppose you've heard about her ia
Their"
Eyes, and it's a dastardly outraged
blurted out Jefferson. Its conspir-
acy against one Of the most honorable
men that ever lived, and mean to fer
ret out and expose the authors. | came
here today to ask father to help me-"
"You came to ask your father to help
your" echoed his mother incredulously.
"Why not7" demanded Jefferson. as
1t true, then, that he is selfshness in
carnate? wouldn't he do that much to
help a friendT
you've come to the wrong house,
JEFF. You ought to know that. Your
father is far from being Judge Ross
more's friend. Surely you have sense
enough to realize that there are two
reasons why he would not raise a fin
ger to help him. One is that he has
always been his opponent in public
life, and the other is that you want to
marry his daughter"
Eyes, l see now, mother. You are
right" Then he added bitterly: THAT
has always been the trouble at home.
No matter where l turn, | am up
against a stone wall-the money inter-
ests. One never hears a glimmer Of
fellow feeling, never a word of human
sympathy, only cold calculation, heart
less reasoning, money, money, money!
Oh, am sick of 1t! l don't want any
of it. l am going away where I'll hear
no more of It,"
His mother laid her hand gently on
his shoulder
Don't talk that way, Jefferson. Your
father is not a bad man at heart. You
know that. His life has been devoted
to money making, and he has made a
greater fortune than any man living or
dead. He is only what his life has
made him. He has a good heart, and
he loves you, his only son. But his
business enemies-ah, those he never
forgives"
jefferson was about to reply when
suddenly dozen electric bells sounded
all over the house.
whats that?' exclaimed jefferson.
alarmed and starting toward the door.
ooh, that's nothing" smiled his
mother I'VE have had that put in
since you went away. Your father
must have just come in. Those bells
announce the fact. 1t was done so
that if there happened to be any stran-
gers in the house they could be kept
out of the way until he reached the
library safely"
ooh" laughed Jefferson. hes afraid
some one will kidnap him. Certainly
he would be a rich prize. l wouldn't
care for the job myself though.
They'd be catching a tartar"
His speech was Interrupted by 4
timid knock at the door.
MAY / come in to say goodbye" ask
ed a voice which they recognized as
Hates. She had successfully escaped
from Mr.. Bagley's opportunities 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 1t impossible to feel very deeply
on any subject-but the idea of this
ready made marriage was so foreign,
so revolving to the American mind!
He thought it would be a kindness to
warn her against Bagley.
Don't be foolish, Kate" he said. 81
was not blind just now in the library.
That man is no good"
AS is usual when ones motives are
suspected, the girl resented his inter
ference. She knew he hated Mr.. Bag
ley, and she thought it mean of him
to try and get even in this way. She
stiffened up and replied coldly:
II think l am able to look after my
self, Jefferson. Thanks, all the same"
He shrugged his shoulders and made
no reply. She said goodby to Mrs.
Ryder, who was again immersed in her
tradespeople bills. and left the room,
escorted by Jefferson, who accompa-
MED her downstairs and on to the
street where Senator Roberts was
waiting for her In the open victoria.
The senator greeted with unusual cor
diality 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 1
will be glad to see you"
Jefferson has so little time now, IA
Their His work and-his friends keep
him prpttV busy"