The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-09-25


can see is that 1t is necessary to put
this poor old man In the public pillory,
to set him up as warning to others
of his class not to act in accordance
with the principles of truth and justice
mot to dare to obstruct the car Of Jug
gernaut set I'm motion by the money
gods of the cOuntryw
Its the survival OF the flttest, my
dear" said Ryder coldly.
"Oh," cried Shirley, making a last
appeal to the financler's heart OF stone,
fuse your great influence with this
governing body for good. not evil
Urge them to vote not In accordance
with party policy and personal interest,
but In accordance with their con-
sciences-in accordance with truth and
Justice. All, for Gods sake, Mr.. Ryder,
don't permit this foul injustice to blot
the name OF the highest tribunal In the
western worldg'
Ryder laughed cynically.
by Jovei Jefferson, give you cred
It for having secured an eloquent nd
vocate"
Suppose" went on Shirley, ignoring
his haunting comments, suppose this
daughter promises that she will never
never see your son again-that she
will go away to some foreign countryr-
'Now burst In Jefferson. why
should she7 If my father is not man
enough to do a simple act Of justice
without barterlng a woman's happiness
and his sons happiness, let him find
comfort in his self Justification
Shirley, completely unnerved, made
move toward the door, unable longer
to bear the strain she was under. She
tottered as though she would fall Ry-
der made a quick movement toward his
son and took him by the arm. Pointing
to Shirley, he said in low tone:
you see how the girl pleads your
cause for yOul She loves you, my
boy Jefferson started. Eyes, she
does" pursued Ryder senior. she's
worth a thousand Of the Rossmore wo-
man. Make her your wife, and ZIP
Make her my wife," cried jefferson
joyously. He stared at his parent as
II he thought he had suddenly been be-
reft Of his senses.
make her my wifeY he repeated in
credulously
well, what do you say?" demanded
Ryder senior.
The young man advanced toward
Shirley hands outstretched.
Yes. yes, Shir-NIiss Green, will
youT" Seeing that Shirley made no
sign. he said: mot now, father will
speak TO her later"
"No no; tonight-at oncew insisted
Ryder Addressing Shirley, he went
on: Miss Green, my son is much af-
fected by your disinterested appeal in
his behalf. Hc-he-you can save him
from himself My son wishes yOu-he
asks YOU to become his wife! Is it not
so, Jefierson?'
"Yes. yes my wife, advancing again
toward Shirley.
The girl shrank back in alarm.
NO, no, no. Mr.. Ryder, | cannot;
cannot she cried.
"Why notY demanded Ryder senior
appealingly. "Ah, don't-don't decide
hastily
Shirley. her face set and drawn and
keen mental distress showing in every
line Of it, faced the two men, pale and
determined The time had come to re-
veal the truth. This masquerade could
go on no longer. II was not honorable
either to her father or to herself. Her
self respect demanded that she inform
the inancier Of her true identity.
II cannot marry your son with these
lies upon my lipsw she cried. 81 can
not go on with this deception. J told you
you did not know who | was. who my
people were. My story about them, my |
name. everything about me is false,
every word | have uttered Is a lie, a |
fraud, a cheat! | would not tell you |
now, but you trusted me and are WILL |
ing 10 entrust your sons future, your |
family honor In my keeping, and |
can't keep back the truth from you. /
Mr.. Ryder, | am the daughter Of the ]
man you hate. ! am the woman your |
son loves. am Shirley ROssmorew
Ryder took his cigar from his lips
and rose slowly to his feet
You? Your he stammered.
"Yes-yes, | am the ROssmOre wO-
man. Listen, Mr Ryder. Don't turn
away from me. Go to Washington
on behalf Of my father, and promise
you l will never see your son again
never, neverr
"Ah, Shirley" cried jefferson, ''you
don't love mel"
eyes, Jeff, do. God knows I do! But
If / must break my own heart to save
my father | will do it."
Would you sacrifice my happiness
and your OWN
"No happiness can be built on lies,
JEFF. We must build on truth or our
whole house will crumble and fall We
have deceived your father but he will
forgive that. won't your she said, ap-
pealing to Ryder, "and you will go to
Washington. you will save my fathers
honor his life, you willT"-
They stood face to face-this slim,