The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-07-24

I
help me. VIII your"
81 will see him hanged first! He has
always opposed me- He has always
defied my power, and now his daugh-
ter has entrapped my son. SO it's her
you want to go to, Ell? Well, l. can't
make you marry a girl you don't want,
but / can prevent you throwing your
self away on the daughter Of man
who is about to be publicly dlsgraced,
and / will"
poor old Rossmorev said Jefferson
bitterly. IF the history of every tinan-
cIal transaction were made known,
how many of us would escape public
disgrace2 Would your" he cried.
RYDER senior rose his hands working
dangerously. He made a movement as
IL about to advance on his son, but by
supreme effort he controlled himself.
NO. upon my word, it's no use dis
inheriting you. You wouldn't care
think you'd be glad-on my soul, dor
Then. calming down once more, he
added: Jefferson, give me your word
of honor that your object In going
away is not to find out this girl and
marry her unknown to me. l don't
mind your losing your heart, but don't
lose your head. Give me your hand
on it,"
Jefferson reluctantly held out his
hand.
IF thought that you would marry
that girl unknown to me I'd have Ross
more sent out of the country. and the
woman too Listen, boy. This man Is
NV enemy, and l show no mercy to
nv enemies. There are more reasons
than one why you cannot marry Miss
Rossmore. II she knew one of them
she would not marry you"
what reasons?' demanded Jeffer-
son.
THE principal one" said Ryder
slowly and deliberately, and eying his
son keenly as if to judge of the effect
\ of his words, "the principal one Is
that it was through my agents that the
demand was made for her fathers inn
| parchment"
"Ah." cried jefferson. then l guess
ed arightr'
Marry Kate or not as you please
but want you to stay here" the elder
man said after pause.
ITS no use Ny mind is made up"
| answered jefferson decisively.
The telephone rang, and Jefferson
got up to go. Mr.. Ryder took up the
receiver.
Halo! What's that? Sergeant Ell
lison? Yes, send him up"
Putting the telephone down, Ryder
senior rose and, crossing the room, ac-
! companied his son to the door.
Think it well over, JEFF. Don't be
hasty."
A few minutes later Jefferson left
the house.
The door opened and Mr. Bagley en-
tered. followed by a tall, powerfully
built man, whose robust physique and
cheap looking clothes contrasted
strangely with the delicate ultrafash-
ionably attired English secretary.
Take seat, sergeant" said Mr..
Ryder cordially, motiOning his visitor
to chair. The man sat down ginger
" on one Of the rich leather upholster-
ed chairs. His manner was nervous
and awkward, as if inundated in the
presence Of the financier.
Are the national committee still
waiting?" demanded Mr.. Ryder,
yes, sir" replied the secretary.
"TH see them in a few minutes.
Leave me with Sergeant Ellison"
Mr.. Bagley bowed and retired.
Ryder. with his customary bluntness,
came right down 10 business.
"Well, what have you been doing
about the book?" he demanded. Have
you found the author of The American
OctOpusT"
mo, sir; have not. l confess I'm
baffled. The secret has been well kept
The publishers have shut up like n
clam. There's only one thing that I'm
pretty we'll sure Of"
whats thatY demanded Ryder. in
terested.
That no such person as Shirley
Green exists.
"Oh," exclaimed the financier. "then
you think it is a mere nom de plume?"
Eyes, sir"
"And what do you think was the
reason for preserving the anonymity
"Well, you see, sir, the book deals
with big subject. 1t gives some hard
knocks, and the author no doubt felt
a little timid about launching it under
his or her real name. At least that's
my theory, sir"
"And a good one, no doubt" said Mr.
Ryder. Then he added: THAT makes
me all the more anxious to find out
who it is. l would willingly give this
moment a check for $1,000 to know
who wrote it. Whoever it is, knows
me as we'll as l know myself. We
much find the author"
The sleuth was silent for a moment
Then he said:
"There might be one way to reach
the author but it will be successful
only in the event Of her being willing
to be known and come out into the
open. Suppose you write to her in
care of the publishers. They would
certainly forward the letter to wher-