Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-21
CHAPTER XVI (concluded.)


CHAPTER XVI (concluded)
81 wish to speak to you Mtss-Ross-
more" he began.
# have nothing to say" answered
Shirley frigidly.
why did you do this?" ne asked,
holding out the cheque.
Because l do not want your
money" she replied with hauteur.
at was yours you earned it, he
said.
mo, came here hoping to in
fluence you to help my father The
work l did was part of the plan. It
happened to fall my way. l took it
as means to get to your heart"
But it is yours, please take it. 1t
will be useful
mo" she said scornfully, 81 can't
tell you how low l should fall in MY
own estimation if took your money.
Money" she added, with ringing con-
tempt, "why, that's all there is to
you! It's your gold Shall 1 make your
god my god? No, thank you, Mr.
Ryder!"
"Am as bad as that?" he asked
wistfu1ly.
.You are as bad as that" she an
swered decisively.
$50 bad that 1 contaminate even
good money!" He spoke lightly but
she noticed that ne WINGED.
Money itself is nothing" replied
the girl. "Its the spirit that earns 1T.
the spirit that spends it. Money
helps to create happiness. 1t also
creates misery. It's an engine of de
struction when not properly used, 1t
destroys individuals as it does ma
lions. It mas destroyed you, for it has
warped your SOUL"
go on" he laughed bitterly, II like
to hear you.
No, you don't, Mr.. Ryder, no you
don't, for deep down in your heart you
know that l am speaking the truth.
Money and the power it gives you,
has dried UP the well-springs Of your
heart"
He affected to be highly amused at
her words, but behind the mask OF
callous indifference the man suffered.
Her words scared him as with red
hot iron She went on:
'tIn the barbaric ages they fought
for possession, but they fought openly.
The feudal barons fought for what
they stole, but 1t was q fair tight.
They didn't strike in the dark. Az
least, they gave man chance lor
his life. But when you modern barons
of industry dent like legislation you
destroy it, when a competitor o,ltbids
Won YOU squeeze him out OF CONNER
cial existence! You have no hearts
YOU are machines, and you are
towards, for you fight unfairly "
.iIt is not true, it is not true 1T
protested. -
at is true" she insisted hotly, "a
few hours ago in cold blood you doom
ed NV father to what is certain death
because you decided it was political
Necessity. In other words he inter
fered with your personal interests
your financial interests you, with sc
MANY millions you can't touch them!
Scornfully she added: "Come out in
to the light fight in the open! Al
least, let him know who is his enemy
Isl"
"stop- stop not another word,
he cried impatiently, you have
diagnosed the disease. What of the
remedy? Are you prepared to recon
struct human nature?"
Confronting each other, their eyeE
met and he regarded her without re
sentiment, almost with tenderness. Ht
felt strangely drawn towards TINS
woman who had defied and accused
him. and made him see the world in {
new light.
81 don't deny" he admitted reluct
antly. that things seem to be as 70,
describe tnem, but it is part OF thu
process of evolution.
"No,,' she protested, cit is the worl
of Cod"
cit is evolution" he insisted.
"Ah. that's it," she retorted, "yo'
evolve new ideas, new schemes, new
tricks you all worship differen
gods gods of your own making!"
He was about to reply when thes
was a commotion at the door an
Theresa entered, followed by MAJ
servant to carry down the trunk.
"The cab is downstairs, Miss" sal
the maid.
Ryder waved them away imperious
w. He had something further to sa
which he did not care for servants ::
hear. Theresa and the man precip
lately withdrew, not understanding
but obeying with alacrity a maste
who never booked delay in the exec,
ton Of lis orders. Shirley indis
nant, looked to him for explanation
"You don't need them" he exclain
ed with quiet smile in which was
shade of embarrassment. "I-I cam
here to tell you that Il" He stoppe
as if unable to find words, while Shi
ley gazed at him in utter astonisl
ment. "Ah,' he went on finally, "yo
have made it very hard for me
speak, Again he paused and the
with effort he said slowly: S'An hot
ago mad Senator Roberts on the Ion
distance telephone, and I'm going
Washington. It's all right about yoi
father The matter will be droppe
You've beaten me. | acknowledge
You're the first living soul who eve
has beaten John Burkett Ryder"
Shirley started forward with CT
of mingled JOY and surprise Cou
she believe her ears? Was it possib
that the dreaded Colossus had capt.
4. I,