The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-09-18
ID wronr-the eIrl's n6-eCodl"
By CHARLES KLEIN

is wrong-the gIrl's -g0odl"
Jefferson started forward as II to
resent these insults to the woman he
loved, but, realizing that it was his
own father. he stopped short and his
hands fell pOwerless at his side.
well, is that alp inquired Ryder
senior, with a sneer
That's ALL" replied Jefferson, I'm
going. GOodby."
"Goodby." answered his father In
differently. Leave your address with
your mother"
Jefferson left the room and Ryder
senior, as IL exhausted BY the. violence
Of his own Outburst, sank back limp
In his chair. The crisis he dreaded
had come at last. His son had openly
dened his authority and was going to
marry the daughter OF his enemy. He
must do something to prevent It; the
marriage must not take place, but what
could he dor The boy was OF age and
legally his own master. He could do
nothing to restrain his actions unless
they put him In an insane asylum. He
would rather see his son there, he
unused, than married to the Rossmore
woman.
Presently there was a timid knock
at the library door. Ryder rose from
his seat and went to see who was
there. To his surprise 1t was Miss
Green.
MAY come in?" asked Shirley.
Certainly, by all means. SIT down"
He drew up chair for her. and his
manner was 80 cordial that 1t was easy
to see she was welcome visitor
mr.. Ryder" she began in a low,
tremulous voice, 81 have come to see
you on a very important matter. I've
been waiting TO see you all evening,
and as shall be here only a short time
longer 1 want to ask you a great IA
vor, perhaps the greatest you were
ever asked. / want to ask you for
mercy-fOr mercy to-
She stopped and glanced nervously
at him, but she saw he was paying no
attention to what she was saying. He
was putting heavily at his cigar, en-
tirely preOccupled with his own
thoughts. Her sudden silence aroused
him. He apolOgized:
"Oh, excuse me! 1 didn't quite catch
what you were saying"
She said nothing. wondering what
had happened to render him 80 absent
minded. He read the question In her
face for. turning toward her, he ex-
claimed
For the first time in my life l am
face to face with defeat-defeat of the
most ignOminious kind-incapacity-in
ability to regulate my own internal af-
fairs. | can rule a government, but
can't manage my own family-my own
son. I'm a failure. Tell me-" he add
ed, appealing to her, why can't l
rule my own household, why can't
govern my own chlldY
why can't you govern yourselfT'
said Shirley quietly.
Ryder looked keenly at her for a mo-
ment without answering her question:
then, az II prompted by a sudden inspi-
ration, he said:
You can help me, but not by preach
ing at me- This is the first time in my
life ever called Oh a living soul for
help. I'm only accustomed to deal with
men. This time there's a woman In the
case. and / need your wOman's Wit
How can help your asked Shirley.
Il don't know" he answered with
suppressed excitement. "As told you.
am up against blank wall. can't
see my way" He gave a nervous lit
tie laugh aud went on: I'm ashamed
Of myself-ashamed! Did you ever
read the fable OF the Lion and the
Mouse2 Well. l want you to gnaw
with your sharp wOman's teeth at the
cords which bind the son Of John Bur-
kett Ryder to this ROssmore woman.
want you to be the mOuse-tO set me
free Of this dlsgraceful enlargement"
"HowT asked Shirley calmly.
"Ah. that's Just it-hOwT he replied.
Cant you thlnk-yOu're a woman
you have youth. beauty-brains." He
stopped and eyed her closely until she
Redeemed from the embarrassing scru-
tiny. Then he blurted out: by George!
Marry him yOurself-fOrce him to let
go Of this other woman! Why nOt2
Come, what do you say2"
This unexpected suggestion came
upon Shirley with all the force Of a
violent shock. She Immediately saw
the falseness OF her position This man
was asking for her hand for his son
under the impression that she was an
other woman. 1t would be dishonora-
BILE Of her to keep up the deception any
longer. She passed her hand over her
face to conceal her confusion
"YOu-you must give me time to
think" she stammered. Suppose
don't love your son. should want
something-sOm to compensate"
Something to cOmpensateT echoed
Ryder surprised and a little dIscon-
certed. why. the boy will inherit
Millions don't know how many"
Mono. not money" rejoined Shlr-
ley. Money only compensates those
who love money. It's something else
a MANS hnnor "a mama Itfaf II pnaana