The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-07-31
CHAPTER X
"A YHAT! exclaimed Shirley,
wv changing color. you be-
lieve that John Burkett

hyuer is at the bottom OF
this Infamous accusation against IA
therT
IL was the day following her arriva
at Massapequa, and Shirley, the Judge
and Stott were all three sitting on tht
porch. Until now by common consent
any mention Of the impeachment pro
ceedings had been avoided by every
one. The previous afternoon and even
ing had been spent listening to an &C
count OF Shlrley's experiences in Eu
rope, and a smile had fitted across
even the judges careworn face as his
daughter gave a humorous description
OF the picturesque Paris students with
neir long hair and peg top trousers,
while Stott simply roared with laugh.
ter. All, 1t was good to laugh again
after SO much trouble and anxiety!
But, while Shirley avoided the topic
that lay nearest her heart. she was
consumed with desire to tell her ia
Tier OF the hope she had of enlisting
the aid Of John Burkett Ryder. The
great inancier was certainly able to do
hN NuOoNf anu uOl Ills sou
Jefferson promised to win him over to
their cause? So today after Mrs. Ross
more and her sister had gone down to
the village to make some purchases
Shirley timidly preached the matter.
She asked Stott and her father to tell
her everything, to hold back nothing.
She wanted to hear the Worst.
Stott, therefore, started to review the
whole AFFAIR from the beginning, ex-
planning how her father In his capac-
ity as Judge Of the supreme court had
to render decisions, several Of which
were adverse to the corporate interests
OF a number of rich men, and how
since that time these powerful inter
ests had used all their influence to get
him put Off the bench. He told her
about the Transcontlnental case and
how the Judge had got mysteriously
tangled up in the Great Northern Min
ing company and of the scandalous
newspaper rumOrs, followed by the
news Of the congressional inquiry.
Then he told her about the panic in
w al NAlttAs lAlt Sult VI Allt uOuSt OL
Madison avenue and the removal to
Long Island
''That is the situation" said Stott
when he had finished I'VE are waiting
now to see what the senate will do. We
hope for the best. II seems impossible
that the senate will condemn mar
whose whole life is like an open book,
but unfortunately the senate is strong
ly Republican and the big interests are
I'm complete control. Unless support
comes from some unexpected quarter
we must be prepared for anything"
Support from some unexpected quar-
ter! Stott's closing words rang In Shir-
leys head Was that not just what she
had to offer? Unable to restrain herself
longer and her heart beating tumultu-
ously from suppressed emotion, she
cried:
"We'll have that support! Well have
n! I've got 1t already! l wanted to
surprise you! Father, the most power
ful man in the United States will save
you from being dishonored!'
The two men leaned forward Ia ca
ger interest. What coul1 the girl
meant Was she serious or merely
testing?
But Shirley was never more serious
In her life. She was Jubilant at the
thought that she had arrived home In
time to invoke the aid of this powerful
ally. She repeated enthusiastically:
1--WE need not worry any more. He
has but to say a word, and these pro-
ceedinRs will be instantly dropped.
They would not dare act against his
veto. Did you hear, father, your case
h a. good as won"
what do you mean, childf Who is
this unknown friendr
Surely you can guess when l say
the most powerful man In the United
etatesf None other than John Burkett
Ryaerl'
She stopped short to watch the effect
this name would have on her hearers.
But TO her surprise neither her father
nor Stott displayed the slightest emo
tion or even interest. Puzzled at this
cold reception, she repeated:
did you hear, father-John Burkett
Ryder will come to your assistance. 1
came home on the same ship as his
SON, and be promised to secure his Ia
TIERS aid"
The Judge pulled heavily at his pipe
and merely shook his head, making no
reply. Stott explained:
1--WE cane look for help from that
quarter, Shirley. You don't expect .
man to cut loose his own kite, do your"
what do you meanT' demanded
Shirley, mystihed.
"Simply this, that John Burkett Ry-
der is the very man who is responsible
for all your fathers misfortunes."
The girl sank back in her seat pale
and motionless. as If she h. received
a blow. Was It possible7
"Do you really believe this, that John
Ryder deliberately concocted the briD-
cry charge with the sole purpose OF
running my father" demanded Shirley
when she had somewhat recovered.
sThere is no other solution Of the
mystery possible" answered Stott
'And you, father, do you believe Ry'
DER did thisr'
II have no longer any doubt OF 1t,
answered the Judge. II think John
Rvder would see me dead before he