Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-23

help you?' echoed his mother incredul.
ously.
!. Why not? demanded Jefferson.
is 1t true then that he is selfishness
incarnate? Wouldn't he do that much
to help friend?"
you've come to the wrong house,
zen. You ought to know that. Your
rather is far from being Judge Ross
mores friend. Surely you have sense
enough to realize that there are two
reasons why he would not raise a
finger to help him. One is that he has
always been his opponent in public
life, the other Is that you want to
marry his daughter"
JEFFERSON sat as If struck dumb. He
had rot thought Of that. Yes. it was
true. His father and the father of the
girl he loved were mortal enemies.
How was help to be expected from the
head OF those interests which the
judge had always attacked, and now
ne came to think of it. perhaps his
own father was really at the bottom
OF these abominable charges! He broke
into cold perspiration and his voice
was altered as he said:
yes, L see noW mother. You are
/ right" Then he added bitterly: That
mas always been the trouble at homo.
NO matter where ! turn. am up
against a stone wall--the money I'm.
| 1erests. One never hears a glimmer
or fellow-feeling, never word of hui
man sympathy, only cold calculation,
heartless reasoning, money, money,
money! Oh, ! am sick of it. I don't
want any of 1t. 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
iather is not 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 good heart And
ne loves youths only son. But his
business enemies-ah! those he never
forgives."
JeHerson was about to reply when
suddenly dozen electric bells sounded
all over the house.
What's that? exclaimed Jefferson
alarmed, and starting towards the
door.
"Oh, that's nothing" smiled his
mother. 1--WE have had that put in
since you went away. Your father
must have just come in. Those bells
announce the fact. II was done so
that If there happened to be any
strangers 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 wouldn't
care for the job myself, though They'd
be catching tartar
His speech was interrupted by
timtd knock at the door,
May | come in to say good-bye?"
asked voice which they recognized
as Hates. She had successfully escap-
ed from Mr. Bagleys 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 nature that made it
impossible to feel very deeply on any
subject, hut the idea of this ready
made marriage was so foreign, SO re.
voting to the American mind! He
thought ii would be a Kindness to warn
her against Bagley.
Don't be foolish Kata." ne 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 1t mean of him
to try and get even in this way. She
stiffened up and replied coldly:
Il think | am able to look after my
self, Jefferson. Thanks, all the same"
He shrugged his shoulders and made
no reply. She said goodbye to Mrs.
Ryder, who was again immersed in her
tradespeDple bills. and left the room,
escorted by Jefferson, who accom-
panied her downstairs and on to the
street where Senator Roberts was
waiting for her in the open victoria
The senator greeted with unusual
cordially 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 \
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 TX
IT HE library was the most important
room in the Ryder mansion, for it
was there that the Colossus carried
through his most important business
deals, and it's busiest hours were those
which most men devote to rest. But
John BuIkett Ryder never rested,
There could be no rest for man who
had Thousand millions of dollars to
take care of. Like Macbeth, he could