Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-16

on strictly party lines, and the party
In power is against him. He's a marked
man. You have the power to help him.
Needless OF Ryder's gesture of i'm
patience he continued: when LEFT
his bedside tonight, sir, promised tt
return to him with good news; have
told him that the senate ridicules the
charges against him. I must return
to him with good news He is very Ill
tonight, sir" He halted for moment
and glanced in Shirley's direction, an6
slightly raising his voice so she might
hear, he added: eff he gets worse we
shall send for his daughter
Where is his daughter?" demand
ed Ryder, suddenly interested.
"She is working in her fathers in
terests," replied Stott, and he added
significantly, 81 believe with some
hope Of success
He gave Shirley quick. questioning
look, She nodded affirmatively. Ryder
who had seen nothing of this by-play
said with sheer:
Surely you didn't come here tonight
to tell me this?"
mo, sir, did not" He took from his
pocket two letters-the two which
Shirley had sent him-and held them
out for Ryder's inspection. ''These
letters from Judge Rossmore to you, -
he said, show you to be acquainted
with the fact that he bought those
shares as an investment-and did not
receive them as a bribe."
When he caught sight of the letters
and he realized what they were, Ryder
changed colour Instinctively his eyes
sought the drawer on the left-hand
side of his desk. In a voice, that was
unnaturally calm, he asked:
why don't you produce them be-
fore the senator"
1T was too late" explained Scott,
handing them to the financier II re-
ceived them over two days ago. But
If you come forward and declare
Ryder made an effort to control him
self.
''I'll do nothing of the kind. | refuse
to move in the matter That is final.
And now, SIR he added, raising his
voice and pointing to the letters, Il
wish to know how comes it that you
had in your possession private cores
pondence addressed to me?"
"That cannot answer" replied
Scott promptly.
From whom did you receive those
letters?" demanded Ryder.
Stott was dumb, while Shirley
clutcned at her chair as if she would
fall. The financier repeated the ques-
ton
81 must decline to answer" replied
Stott finally.
Shirley left her place and came
slowly forward. Addressing Ryder,
she said:
81 wish to make a statement
The financier gazed at her in aston
ishment What could she know about
it, he wondered, and he waited with
curiosity to hear wat she was going
to say. But Stott Instantly realized
that she was about to take the blame
upon herself. regardless of the con-
sequences to the success OF their
cause This must be prevented at all
hazards, even if another must be sa-
crificed, so interrupting her he said
hastily to Ryder:
Judge Rossmore's life and honour
are at stake and no false sense OF de-
LEGACY must cause the failure of my
object to have him. These letters were
sent to me by-your SON."
From my son." exclaimed Ryder,
starting. For a moment he staggered
as if he had received blow; he was
too much overcome to speak or act.
Then recovering himself, he rang a
bell, and turned to Stott with renewed
fury:
$780," he cried, "this man, this judge
whose honour is at stake and his
daughter, VINO most likely has no hon
our at stake, between them have made
a thief and liar of my son! false 10
his father. false to his party; and you,
sir, have the presumption to come
here and ask me to intercede for him!
To the butler, who entered, he said:
"See if Mr.. Jefferson is still in the
house. If he is, tell MIN | would like
to see him here at once"
The man disappeared, and Ryder
strobe angrily UP and down the room
with the letters in his hand. Then,
turning abruptly on Stott, he said:
"And now, sir, think nothing more
remains to be said. I shall keep the
letters, as they are my property"
"As you please. Good nignt, sir"
Good night" replied Ryder, not
looking up.
With significant glance at Shirley
who motioned to him that she might
yet succeed where he had failed, Stott
left the room Ryder turned to Shir
ley. His ferceness of manner soft
ened down as he addressed the girl:
"You see what they nave done tc
my SON
YES" replied Shirley, "it's the girls
fault. If Jefferson hadn't loved hel
you would have helped the judge. All
why did they ever met! She has work
ed on his sympathy and he-ne tooF
these letters for her sake. not to in
jure you. Oh, you must make some
allowance for him! Ones sympathy
gets aroused in spite of oneself; ever
/ feel sorry for these people"
Don't replied Ryder grimly," sym
pathy is often weakness. All, there
you are!" turning to Jefferson, who
entered the room at that moment.
you sent for me, father?"