The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-10-02

tell you now iOW 4 SuOutu ldil III ny
own estimation If took your money.
Money" she added. with ringing con-
tempt, "why, that's all there Is to youl
It's your godl Shall make your god
my god? No, thank you, Mr.. Ryder!'
"Am l as bad as that?" he asked
wistfully.
"You are as bad as that" she an
swered decisiyely.
$50 bad that l contaminate even
good money!" He spoke lightly, but
she noticed that he WINGED
Money itself is nothing" replied the
girl. Its the spirit that gives it, the
spirit that receives 1t, the spirit that
earns 1t, the spirit that spends 1t.
Money helps to create happiness. 1t
also creates misery. It's an engine of
destruction when not properly used. 1t
destroys individuals as 1t does nations.
1t has destroyed you, for 1t has warp
ed your soul"
go on" he laughed bitterly. HI Ike
to hear you"
"No, you don't, Mr.. Ryder; no you
don't, for deep down in your heart you
know that am speaking the truth.
Money and the power 1t gives you has
dried up the wellsprings of your heart"
He affected to be highly amused at
her words, but behind the mask of cal
lous indifference the man suffered. Her
words scared him as with a redhot
iron. She went on:
"In the barbarlc ages they fought for
possession. but they fought openly.
The feudal barons fought for what
they stole, but 1t was a fair fight. They
didn't strike in the dark. At least they
gave a man a chance for his life. But
when you modern barons of industry
don't like legislation you destroy it,
when you don't like your judges you
remove them, when a competitor out
bids you you squeeze him out of COM
merclal existence! You have no hearts,
you are machines, and you are cow
ards, for you fight unfairly"
at is not true; 1t is not true" he pro-
tested.
at is true" she insisted hotly. "a
few hours ago in cold blood you DOOM
ed my father to what is certain death
because you decided 1t was a political
necessity. In other words, he inter
fered with your personal interests
your financial interests-you, with so
many millions you can't count them
Scornfully she added: "Come out into
the light-fight in the open! At least
let him know who his enemy isY'
stop. Stop! Not another wordr' he
cried impatiently. you have diagnos
ed the disease. What of the remedy?
Are you prepared to reconstruct hui
man nature"
Confronting each other their eyes
met, and he regarded her without re-
sentiment, almost with tenderness. He
felt strangely drawn toward this wom-
an who had defed and accused him
and made him see the world in a new
light.
Il don't deny" he admitted reluct-
antly, that things seem to be as you
describe them, but it is part of the
process of evolution"
NO" she protested; sit is the work
of Godr'
1T is evolution"' he insisted
"Ah, that's it," she retorted; you
evolve new ideas, new schemes, new
tricks-you all worship different gods
gods of your own making"
He was about to reply when there
was a commOtion at the door, and
Theresa entered, followed by a man
servant to carry down the trunk.
The cab is downstairs, MISS" said
the maid.
Ryder waved them away imperiOus-
ly He had something further to say
which he did not care for servants to
hear. Theresa and the man precipitate-
ly withdrew, not understanding, but
obeying with alacrity a master who
never brooked delay in the execution
of his orders. Shirley, indignant, look
ed to him for an explanation.
you don't need them" he exclaimed,
with a quiet smile in which was a
shade of embarrassment. IL came
here to tell you that r. He stopped
as If unable to find words, while Shir-
ley gazed at him In utter establishment
"Ah," he went on finally, you have
made it very hard for me to speak"
Again he paused and then with an eff
fort he said slowly: IAN hour ago
had Senator Roberts on the long dis
lance telephone, and I'm going to
Washington. It's all right about your
father. The matter will be dropped.
You've beaten me. l acknowledge 1t.
You're the first living soul who ever
has beaten John Burkett Ryder"
Shirley started forward with a cry
of mingled Joy and surprise. Could
she believe her ears2 Was 1t possible
that the dreaded Colossus had capitu-
lated and that she had saved her ia
Their? Had the forces Of right and jus
tice prevailed after all? Her face
TRANSPORTED. radiant, she exclaimed
breathlessly:
What, Mr.. Ryder, you mean that
you are going to help my fatherT
"Not for his sake, for yours" he an
swered frankly.