The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-10-02

4 "
want your love. l want to earn It,
know l can't buy 1t. There's a weak
spot In every mans armor, and this is
mine. | always want what can't get
and 1 can't get your love unless l earn
it."
Shirley remained pensive. Her
thoughts were out on Long Island at
Massapequa. She was thinking Of their
joy when they heard the news-her ia
Their, her mother and Stott She was
thinking of the future, bright and glo-
rious with promise again now that the
dark clouds were passing away. She
thought of Jefferson, and a soft light
came into her eyes as she foresaw
happy wifehood shared with him.
"Why so sober?" demanded Ryder.
you've gained your point. Your ia
Their is to be restored to you. You'll
marry the man you love-"
I'm so happyw murmured Shirley.
81 don't deserve it. had no faith"
Ryder released her and took out his
watch
81 leave In fifteen minutes for Wash
ington," he said "Will you trust me to
go aloneT
81 trust you gladly" she answered,
smiling at him. 81 shall always be
grateful to you for letting me convert
you"
you won me over last night" he re-
Joined, "when you put up that fight
for your father. l made up my mind
that a girl so loyal to her father would
be loyal to her husband. You think"
he went on, that 1 do not love my
son. You are mistaken. do love him,
and I want him to be happy. 1 am
capable of more affection than people
think. 1t is Wall street." he added Bit
terly, chat has crushed all sentiment
out of me-"
Shirley laughed nervously, almost
Historically.
Il want to laugh, and feel like cry
mgr she cried. what will Jefferson
say? How happy he will bep'
How are you going to tell him?' in
quired Ryder uneasily.
Il shall tell him that his dear, good
father has relented, and
mo, my dear" he interrupted, you
will say nothing of the sort. 1 draw
the line at the dear, good father act
l don't want him to think that it comes
from me at ALL"
But" said Shirley, puzzled, 81 shall
have to tell him that you
WHAT exclaimed Ryder. "Ac-
knowledge to my son that was wrong,
that I've seen the error of my ways
and wish to repent? Excuse me-" he
added grlmly. IT'S got to come from
him. He must see the error Of his
ways"
But the error of his way" laughed
the girl, was falling in love with me.
l can never prove to him that that was
wrong"
The financier refused to be convinc-
ed. He shook his head and said stub
bornly:
"Well, he must be put in the wrong
somehow or other Why, my dear
child" he went on, "that boy has been
waiting all his life for an opportunity
to say to me- Father, l knew l was in
the right, and knew you were wrong
Can't you see" he asked, what false
position it places me in? Just picture
his triumph
Hell be too happy to triumph" OBJ
jected Shirley.
Feeling a little ashamed Of his atti-
tude, he said
Il suppose you think I'm very Obsti-
nate" Then as she made no reply he
added, II wish l didn't care what you
thought"
Shirley looked at him gravely for a
moment, aud then she replied serious
ly:
Mr.. Ryder, you're a great man,
you're a genius, your life is full of &C
ton, energy achievement But 1t APP
pears to be only the good, the noble
and the true that you are ashamed Of.
When your money triumphs over prin-
eiple, when your political power de-
feats the ends Of justice. you glory In
your victory. But when you do kind
ly, generous, fatherly act, when you
win a grand and noble victory over
yourself, you are ashamed of It, 1t was
a kind, generous impulse that has
prompted you to save my father and
take your son and myself to your
heart Why are you ashamed to let
him see 1t? Are you afraid he will love
you? Are you afraid shall love you?
Open your heart wide to us. Let us
love you"
Ryder, completely vanquished, open
ed his arms, and Shirley sprang for
ward and embraced him as she would
have embraced her own father. A soil
tary tear coursed down the financiers
cheek. In thirty years he had not felt
or been touched by the emotion of hui
man affection.
The door suddenly opened, and JEFF
ferson entered. He started on seeing
Shirley in his fathers arms.
JEFF, my boy" said the financier, re-
leasing Shirley and putting her hand
In his sons. 1--WE done something you
couldn't do I've convinced Miss Green