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

family affairs to warrant your being
present at the epilogue. Besides, /
want an excuse for keeping my TEN
per. Sit down, Miss Green"
Turning to Jefferson, he went on:
For your mothers sake, my boy,
have overlooked your little eccentri-
cities OF character. But now we have
arrived at the parting of the ways
you have gone too far The one as
pect Of this business cannot overlook
is your willingness to sell your own
father for the sake of a woman"
"My own father" interrupted Jeffer-
son, bitterly, would not hesitate 10
sell me If his business and political
interests warranted the sacrificed"
Shirley attempted the role of peace
maker. Appealing to the young man,
she said:
please don't talk like that Mr.. JEFF
ferson." Then she turned to Ryder,
Sr.: I don't think your son quite un-
derstands you, Mr.. Ryder, and, if you
will pardon me, don't think you quite
understand him. Do you realize that
there Is mans life at stake-that
Judge Rossmure is almost at the point
of death and that favourable news
from the Senate tomorrow is perhaps
the only thing that can save him 2"
'Ah, see," sneered Ryder, Sr.
Judge Stott's story has aroused your
sympathy
Eyes, II confess my sympathy is
aroused. l do feel for this father
whose life is slowly ebbing away
whose strength Is being slapped hour
ly by the thought of the disgrace
the injustice that is being done him.
| do feel for the wife of this suffering
mani"
"Ah, it's a complete pictured" cried
Ryder mockingly. "The dying father,
the sorrowing mother-and the daugh-
ter, what is she supposed to be
doing?'
She is fighting for her fathers
life" cried Shirley, "and you, MIR. JEFF
ferson, should have pleaded-pleaded
to combat your fathers will"
"She is quite right, father. I should
have implored you. do so now. I
ask for Gods sake to help us!"
Ryder was grim and silent He
rose from his seat and paced the room,
putting sayagely at his cigar. Then
ne turned and SAID:
His removal is a political neces-
slty. If he goes back on the bench
every paltry Justice of the peace, every
petty official will think he has a spe-
cial mission to tear down the struc-
ture that hard work and capital have
erected. No, this man has been es-
pecially conspicuous in his efforts to
block the progress of amalgamated in
terests."
"And so he must be sacrificed?"
cried Shirley Indignantly.
HE is a meddlesome man." insisted
Ryder and"
"He is innocent of the charges
brought against him." urged Jefferson.
"Mr. Ryder is not considering that
point" said Shirley bitterly. "All he
can see is that 1t is necessary to put
this poor old man in the public pillory,
Of his class not to act in accordance
with the principles of Truth and JUS
t;ce-not to dare to obstruct the car
Of Juggernaut set in motion by the
money gods of the country"
tits the survival Of the fttest, my
dear" said Ryder, coldly
"Oh!" cried Shirley, making last
appeal to the financier's heart Of
stone, "use your great influence with
this governing body for good, not evil!
Urge them to vote not in accordance
with party policy and personal inter.
est, but in accordance vita 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 tribun-
o. in the Western world"
Ryder laughed cynically.
by Jove! Jefferson, give you ere.
dit for having secured an eloquent ad-
vocate!"
Suppose, went on Shirley, ignor-
ing his haunting comments, suppose
this daughter promises that she will
never-never see your son again
That she will go away to some for
eign country"
"No!" burst in Jefferson. "why
should she? If my father is not man
enough to do simple act of justice
without bartering a womans happi-
ness and his sons happiness, let him
find comfort in his self-justifcation.
Shirley, completely unnerved, made
move toward the door, unable to
longer bear the strain she was under
She tottered as though she would fall.
Ryder made a quick movement to-
wards his son and took him by tho
arm. Pointing to Shirley he said in a
low tone:
you see how that girl pleads your
cause for you! She loves you, my
boy!" Jefferson started. Eyes, she
does" pursued Ryder, Sr. "She's
worth a thousand of the Rossmore
woman. Make her your wife and
I'll-'
Make ner my wife." cried Jefferson
joyously. He stared at his parent as Il
he thought he had suddenly been be.
reft of his senses.
Make her my wife!" he repeated
incredulously.
well, what do you say?" demand
ed Ryder, Sr.
The young man advanced toward
Shirley, hands outstretched.
Eyes, yes. shir-Miss Green, will
Won 2" Seeing that Shirley mada nr