The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-05-19

- am-the daughter
of Judge RossmoreT'
demanded Shirley.
II had been a shock
to Mrs. Ryder that
norninr when Jefferson burst into
his mothers room before she was up
and acquainted her with the events OF
he previous evening. The news that
the Miss Green whom she had grown
IN love was really the Miss Rossmore
II whose relations with Jefferson her
husband stood In such dread, was far
rron affecting the lnancier's wife as II
81 RYDER himself. To the mothers
staple and ingenious mind. free from
prejudice and Interior motive, the girls
.haracter was more important than
ler name. and certainly she could not
blame her son for loving such a woman
- Shirley. OF course. IL was unfor-
tunate for jefferson that his father
Celt this bitterness toward Judge
Rossmore. for she herself could
hardly have wished for a more
sympathetic daughter-in-law. She
had not seen her husband since
the previous evening at dinner. so was
In complete ignorance as to what he
thought of this new development. but
the mother sighed as she thought how
happy IL would make her to see Jeffer-
son happily married TO the girl OF his
own choice, and in her heart she still!
entertained the hope that her husband
would see Il that way, and thus pre-
cent their son from leaving them, as
he threatened.
That's not your fault. my dear"
she replied. answering Shirley's ques-
ton You are yourself-that's the
main thing. You mustn't mind what
Mr.. Ryder says. Business and worry
makes him irritable at times. II you
must so, Of course. you must-you are
o.. best Judge Of that, but Jefferson
rs 10 see you before you leave"
Sc Kissed Shirley in motherly fashion.
"1 added. He has told me every
7g. dear. Nothing would make me
--rr'e~ than 10 see you become his
Fe's downstairs now, waiting
re 10 tell him to come up"
"-fs better that I should not see
It-. replied Shirley. slowly and
trav,Iy. Il can only tell him what
rsve already told him. Ny father
comes first. have stin a duty to per
form"
That's right. dear" answered Mrs.
RYDER. You're a good. noble girl,
and ] admire you all the more for It.
I'll let jefferson be his own advocate.
You'll see him for my saker'
She gave Shirley another affectionate
embrace and left the room. while the
girl proceeded with her final prepare
tons for departure. Presently there
was a quick. heavy step in the CORR
dor outside and Jefferson appeared in
the doorway. He stood there waiting
for her TO invite him in. She looked
up and greeted him cordially, yet It
was hardly the kind OF reception he
looked for or that he considered he had
A right to expect He advanced sulk-
lily into the room.
Mother said she had put everything
right" he began. I guess she was
mistaken
Your mother does not understand"
she replied. seriously. Nothing can
be put right until my father is re-
stored TO honor and position
But why should you punish me be-
cause my father fails to regard the
matter as we do?" demanded Jefferson,
rsbelIiousIy.
Why should / punish myself-why
mould we punish those nearest and
Ictrcst2.' answered Shirley, gently,
zine victims Of human injustice al
ways suffer where their loved ones are
Irtured Why are things as they
rel don't know. I know they are
mar all"
The Young man strobe nervously
% and down the room. while she
zrd Istlessly out of the win
1w looking for the cab that
v~s to carry her away from
the house Of disappointment. He
pleaded with her:
81 have tried honorably and failed
YOU have tried lonorably and failed.
Isn't the sting of impotent failure
enough to meet without striving
against a hopeless lover" He APP
preached her and said softly: Il
love you. Shirlsy-don't drive he to
desperation. Must ] be punished be-
cause you have failed? It's unfair.
The sins Of the fathers should not be
visited upon the children"
But they are-its the law" said
Shirley with resignation.
The law" he echoed
yes. the law" insisted the girl;
'.man's law. not Gods: the same I'M
just law that Furnishes my father
mans law. which is put into the hands
OF the powerful OF the earth to strike
at the weak"
She sank into chair and. covering
up her face. wept bitterly Between
her sobs she cried brokenly:
II believed in the power Of love "a
soften your fathers heart; ! believed
that with Gods help I could bring him
TO see the truth. I believed that truth
and love would make him see the
light: bat it hasn't l stayed on and
on hoping against hope until the time
has gone by and it's too late 10 save
him. too late, What can l do now:
Nv going 10 Washington Is a forlorr
hope. a last miserable. forlorn hope
and in this hour. the darkest Of all
you ask me TO think OF myself-my
love. your happiness. yOUr future, my