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

cost You must help9me His stern.
ness relaxed somewhat and his eyes
rested on her kindly. do you know
should be glad to think you won't
have TO leave us. Mrs. Ryder has TAX.
en- fancy to you, and l myself shall
miss you when you CO."
You ask me to be your sons wife
and you know nothing of my family
said Shirley.
II know youthat is sufficient" he
replied.
Mono you don't" returned Shir-
ley, nor do you know your son. He
has more constancy-more strength of
character than you think-and far
more principle than you have"
$50 much the greater the victory for
you" ne answered good humouredly.
"Ah," she said reprcachfuliy, "you
do not love your son.
II do love him" replied Ryder warm
ly. Its because I love him that Pm
such fool in this matter. Don't you
see that if he marries this girl 1t would
separate us, and should lose him.
don't want to lose him. If welcomed
her to my house it would make me the
laughing-stock of all my friends and
business associates. Come, will you
join forces with me?"
Shirley shook her head and was
about to reply when the telephone bell
rang. Ryder took up the receiver and
spoke to the butler downstairs:
Who's that? Judge Stott? Tell
him I'm too busy to see anyone. What's
that? A mans life at stake? What's
that 20 do with me? Tell him
On hearing Stott's name, Shirley
nearly betrayed herself. She turned
pale and half-started up from her chair
Something serious must have happened
to bring her fathers legal adviser to
the Ryder residence at such an hour!
She thought he was in Washington
Could it be that the proceedings in the
Senate were ended and the result
known? She could hardly conceal her
anxiety, and instinctively she placed
her hand On Ryder's arm.
No, Mr.. Ryder, do see Judge Stott!
You must see him. know who he is.
Your son has told me- Judge Stott is
one of Judge Rossmore's advisers. See
him. You may find out something
about the girl. You may find out where
she is. If Jefferson finds out you have
refused To see her fathers friend at
such a critical time it will only make
him sympathize more deeply with the
Rossmores, and you know sympathy
Is akin to love- That's what you want
to avoid, isn't it?"
Ryder still held the telephone, hest
tating what to do. What she said
sounded like good sense.
Upon my word he said. You may
be right and yet"
"Anl / to help you or not?" demand.
ed Shirley.
You said you wanted woman's wit"
eyes," said Ryder, "but still
Then you had better see him." she
said emphatically.
Ryder turned to the telephone.
Hello, Jorkins, are you there? Show
Judge Stott up here" He laid the re-
ceiver down and turned again to Shir-
ley. That's one thing don't like
about you" he said. II allow you to
decide against me and then / agree
with you" She said nothing and he
went on look at her admiringly. 81
predict that you'll bring that boy to
your feet within n month. l don't
know why, but seem to feel that he
is attracted to you already. Thank
Heaven! you haven't a lot OF trouble
some relations. I think you said you
were almost alone in the world. Don't
look so serious" he added laughing.
Jeff is fine fellow, and believe me
an excellent catch as the world goes.
Shirley raised her hand as If entreat-
ing him to desist.
ooh, dcp't-don't--ple My po-
sition is so false! You don't know how
false it isl" she cried.
At that instant the library door was
thrown open and the butler appeared,
ushering in Stctt. The lawyer looked
anxious, and bis dishevelled appear
ance indicated that he had come direct
from the train. Shirley scanned his
face narrowly in the hope that she
might read there what had happened.
He walked right past her, giving no
sign of recognition, and advanced di-
rect towards Ryder, who had risen and
remained standing at his desk.
Perhaps had better go?' ventured
Shirley, although tortured by anxiety
to hear the news from Washington.
mo" said Ryder quickly, Judge
Stott will detain me but a very few
moments"
Having delivered himself of this deli
cate hint, he looked towards his visit
Or as if inviting him to come to the
point as rapidly as possible.
II must apologize for intruding at
this unseemly hour, sir" said Stott
"but time is precious. The senate
meets tomorrow to vote. 1t anything
is to be donefor Judge Rossomre it must
be done tonight"
81 fail to see why you address your
self to me in this matter, sir" replied
Ryder with asperity.
"As Judge Rossmore's friend and
counsel" answered Stott, II am impell
ed to ask your help at this critical mo
menr."
"The matter is in the hands of the
United States senate, sir" replied
Ryder coidly.
"They are against him!" cried Stott;
mot enc senator I've spoken to holds
out ;tny rope for him. II he is con
I victed it will mean his death. Inch by
4 inch his life is leaving him. The onl.
4 thing that can save him is the gooc
news of the senate's refusal to fine
him guilty"