The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1907-08-07

she was shrewd enough to see that If
Ryder wrote to her at all it was be-
cause he was most anxious to see her
and her abruptness would not deter
him from trying again. On the contra
ry, the very unusualness Of any one
thus debating to him would make him
more than ever DESTROYS of making her
acquaintance. So Shirley mailed the
letter and awaited with confidence for
Ryder's reply. So certain was she that
one would come that she at once be-
gan to form her plan Of action. She
would leave Massapequa at once, and
her whereabouts must remain a secret
even from her own family. AS she In
tended to go to the Ryder house in the
assumed character Of Shirley Green, it
would never do to run the risk Of be-
ing followed home by a Ryder detec-
tive to the Rossmore cottage She
would cOnfde In one person only
Judge StOtt. He would know where
she was and would be in constant COM
munlcatiOn with her. But, otherwise,
she must be alone to conduct the cam
paign as she judged at. She would go
at once to New York and take rooms In
a boarding house where she would be
known as Shirley Green. As for funds
to meet her expenses, she had her dia-
mOnds, and would they not be filling a
more useful purpose If sold to defray
the cost Of saving her father than in
mere personal adornment? SO that
evening while her mother was talking
to the corner where she was sitting.
Judge Stott," she began, 81 have n
plan"
He smiled indulgently at her
You said that no one on earth could
resist John Burkett Ryder, that no one
could fight against the money power
Well. do you know what am going TO
dof"
"What will YOU do;" he asked with a
slightly irouicai infection in his voice
81 ann going to fight John Burkett
Ryder" she cried
Stott looked at her open mouthed
"YOuf' Inc said
eyes, T." said Shirley. 'Tm going to
him, and ! intend to get those letters
If ne has them"
Stott shook his head
my dear child" he said, what are
you talking about? How can you ex-
poet TO reach Ryder? We couldn't"
Il don't know just how yet" replied
Shirley, "but I'm going To try. I love
my father, and I'm going to leave moth
ing untried to save him"
"Rut what can YOU do? persisted
Stott. The matter has been sifted
over and over 10y some Of the greatest
minds I'M the country"
"IIaS any woman siftcd it over?" de-
mandcd Shirley.
"NO. but stammered Stott
"Thcn it's about time one did" said
the girl decisivolr. Those letters my
father speaks of they would be useful
would they notf"
"They would Doe inyaluablc."
"Iheu TH get them. II not
"But ] don't understand how you're
going 10 get at Ryder" interrupted
Stott
This is how" replied shirley. pass
in- over TO h.m tine letter she had re-
ceiveI that afternoon.
As Stott recognized the well known
signature and read the contents the
expression Of his face changed. lie
gasped for breath and sank into 2
chair from sheer establishment
"Ah, that's different" he cried.
THAT'S different
Briefly Shirley outlined her plan, cX-
planning that she would go to live i'm
the city Immediately and conduct her
campaign from there If she was sue
cessful. il might save her father, and
if not no harm could become of it,
That same evening her mother, the
Judge and Stott went for a stroll after
dinner and left her to take care Of
the house. They had wanted Shirley
to 60 too, but she pleaded fatigue The
truth was that she wanted to be alone,
so that she could ponder undisturbed
over her plans. It was a clear, starlit
night with no moon, and Shirley sat
on the porch listening to the chirping
of the crickcts and idly watching the
flashes of the mysterious hrehies She
was I'D no mood for reading and sat
for a long time rocking herself en-
crossed in her thoughts. Suddenly she
heard some one uufasten the garden
gate It was too soon for the return
Of the promcnadcrs. II must be a Wis
itor. Through the uncertain penumbra
of the garden she discerned approach
ing a form which looked familiar. Yes,
now there was no doubt possible. 1t
was indeed jefferson Ryder.
She hurried down the porch to greet
him. No matter what the father had |
done, she could never think any the |
less Of the son. He took her hand, and /
for several moments neither one spoke. |
There are times when silence is more |
eloquent than speech, and this was one !
of them. The gentle grip Of his big, |
strong hand expressed more tenderly |
than any words the sympathy that lay /
in his heart for the woman he loved. |
Shirley said quietly
"You have come at last, Jefferson"
IT came as soon as could" he re-
piled gently. 81 saw father only yes |
terday."