Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-14
of making Miss Rossmore his wife, re-
garCllaSS of the cnnSenuanceS

4 :
CARELESS of the consequences.
The opportunity came one evening
after dinner. Ryder, Sr. was sitting
alone in the library, reading, Mrs. Ry-
der had gone to the theatre with a
friend. Shirley as usual was writing
in her room, giving the final touches to
her now completed History Of the
Empire Trading Company" Jefferson
took the bull by the horns and boldly
accosted his redoubtable parent.
MAY have few minutes of your
time, father?"
Ryder, ST. laid aside the paper he
was. reading and looked up. 1t was
unusual for his son to come to him on
any errand. and he liked to encourage
it.
Certainly. Jefferson. What is it,"
II want to appeal to you, sir.
4 want you to use your influence, before
1t is too late, to save Judge Rossmore.
A word from you at this time would
do wonders in Washington"
The firancier swung half-round in
! his chair. the smile of greeting faded
out Of his face, and his voice was hard
as he replied coldly:
! Again? thought we had agreed
not to discuss Judge Rossmore any
further?''
4 can't help it, sir" rejoined JEFF
ferson unGeterred my his sire's hos
tile attitude. chat poor man is prac-
i tically on trial for his life. He Is as
i innocent of wrong doing us 81 child I'M
born, and you know it. You could save
him if you would
Jefferson" answered Ryder. ST.,
biting his lip to restrain his impotence
81 told Vol, before that / could not IN
terfere even If I would; and | won't,
4 because that nan is my enemy. I'M
i portant business interests, which you
cannot possibly know anything about
demand the sarifice of a mans life!|
4 Surely your business interests don't
4 demand the sarific Of a mans lie!
u retored Jefferson II know modern
; business methods are none too squeam-
: ish, but should think you'd draw the
} line at deliberate murder!
} Ryder slrang to his feet and for
} moment st ,od glaring at the young
} man. His lips moved, but no sound
came from them. Suppressed wrath
rendered him speeches.. What was
the world coming to when son could
talk to his father in this manner?
t'How dare you presume to judge
my actions or to criticise my
: methodist" he burst out, finally.
.You force ME to do So answered
Jefferson holly II want to tell you
} that ! am heartily ashamed uf this
t whole affair and your connection with
a it. and since you refuse to make re-
: paration in the only way possible for
Z the wrong you and your associates
! have done Judge Rossmore-that is by
t saving him In the senate think II
l only fair to warn you that I take back
: my word In regard to not marrying
: without your consent. want you te
r know that intend to marry Miss
, Rossmore as soon as she will consen,
g to become my wife, that is" he addee
4 with bitterness eff can succeed II
t overcoming her prejudices against my
= family
9 Ryder. SIR laughed contemptuous!y
Y "Preiudices against thousand mil
e lion dollars?" he exclaimed sceptical
!. ly.
# "Ycs." replied jefferson decisively
It .tprejudices against our family, agains
l. YOU and your business practices. None:
u is not everything. One day you vii
Q find that out tell you definitely tina
r intend TO make Miss Rossmore m.
y wife,"
l. RYDER, ST.. made no reply, and as JET
q ferson had expected &c explosion, tb!
e unnatural calm rather startled MIN
, He was sorry he had spoken so harsh
a ly. 1t was s.is father, after all.
/ you've forced me to defy you
/ father" he added. .tI'm sorry
RYDER, ST. shrugged his shoulder
s. and resumed his seat. He lit anothe
II cigar and with affected carelessnes
s he said:
IS 20 at that You're sorry-so am
1t You've shown me your cards-Ill shoN
IS you mine"
e His composed unruffled manner var
Il ished. He suddenly threw off tn
is mask and revealed the tempest tina
is was raging within. He leaned acros
y the desk, his face conyulsed with VI
er comfortable passion, terrifying pls
ot ture of human wrath. Shaking NJ
1T fist at his son he shouted:
f. .When I get through with Judg
I'd Rossmore at Washington, I'll stal
It. after his daughter. This time tomorro'
Or he'll be disgraced man. wee
ID later she e.iil Is a rn;,s: "'s woma,
IS Then we'll see If you'll be so eager
II marry her!"
I'd .Father!" cried Jefferson.
IN .sThere is sure to be something
IS her life that won't bear inspection
r. sneered Ryder There is in ever;
I'd body's life. I'll find out what it !
as Where is she today? She can't
n found. No one knows where she Is
y, not even her own mother. somethin
r. is wrong-the girls no good"
ne jefferson started forward as If to r
OF sent these insults to the woman !
as loved, but, realizing that it was h
IN own father, he stopped short and b
e. hands fell powerless at his side.
rs well, is that all?" inquired Ryde
I'D "a THAT'S all replied Jefferson, "1'
e. going. Goodbye"
IN Goodbye" answered his father !
differently; leave your address wi
ne your mother"
OF jefferson left the room. and Rvde
on ST.. as IL exhausted by the violence
ed his own cutburst, sank back limp