Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-16
CHAPTER XIV (contfnued.)
The Greatest Serial of the Day
BIZ CHARLES K1EIN Anp ARTHUR HoRNBLov

4 & /. 4.
CHAPTER XIV (continued)
May I come in ?" asked Shirley.
Certainly, by all means. Sit down
He drew up a chair for her, and hi
manner was SO cordial that 1t wa
easy to see she was a welcome visitor
Mr.. Ryder" she began in a low
tremulous voice, II have come to SCI
you on very important matter. Nv
been waiting to see You all evening
and as | shall be here only shor
time longer want to ask you ;
great favour-p perhaps the creates
you were ever asked-I want to asl
you for mercy-for mercy to-"
She stopped and glanced nervousl.
at him, but she saw he was paying nj
attention TO what she was saying. HI
was putting heavily at his cigar, en-
tirely preoccupied with his owl
thoughts. Her sudden silence aroused
him. He apologized:
"Oh, excuse mel didn't quite catcl
what you were saying"
She said nothing, wondering what
had happened to render him SO absent
minded. He read the question in hel
face, for turning towards her, he ex
claimed:
NCt tlsC LII IlulC III LILY luS du
face TO face with defeat-defeat of the
most ignoninious kind-inc apacity-
inability to regulate my own internal
affairs. can rule government, but
can't manage my own family my
added, appealing to her, "why can't
rule my own household, why can't
govern my own child?"
said Shirley quietly.
Ryder locked keenly at her for a
moment without answering her ques
ton; then, as if prompted by a sud.
den Inspiration, he said:
You can help me, but not by preach
Ing at me. This is the first time in
for help. I'm only accustomed to deal
In the case and need your woman's
wit"
How can help your" asked Shir.
ley.
Il don't know" he answered with
suppressed excitment. GAS told you
/ am up against blank wall I can't
see my way" He gave nervous little
laugh and went on God! I'm ashamed
of myself ashamed! Did you ever
read the fable Of the Lion and the
Mouse? Well, want you TIC 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 mcuse-to set me
free of this disgraceful ENHANCEMENT
How? asked Shirley calmly.
"Ah, that's just it-how?" he re
piled. Cant you think-you're a WON
an-you have youth, beauty brains
He stopped and eyed her closely unit
she REDEEMED from the embarrassing
scrutiny. Then he blurted OUT: BY
George! marry him yourself-force
him to let go of this other woman!
Why not? Come, what do you say?"
This unexpected suggestion came up
on Shirley with all the force of a vic
lent shock She Immediately saw the
falseness Of her position. This mar
was asking for her hand for his sor
under the impression that she was an
other woman. 1t would be dishonor
able of her to keep up the deception
any longer. She passed her hand ovel
her face to conceal her confusion.
Yol-you must give me time tx
think" She stammered. Suppose
don't love your son-l snould wan
something something to compensate.
Something to compensated" echoed
Ryder surprised and littel disconcert
ed. Why. the boy will inherit mil
lions-I don't know how many"
Mono, not money" rejoined Shir
ley; money only compensates those
who love money. It's something else
mans honour mans life! 1t means
nothing to you"
He gazed at her, not understanding
Full of his own project, he had mint
for nothing else. Ignoring therefore
the question of compensation, what
ever she might mean by that, he con
tinued:
you can whip him If you make III
your mind to. A woman with your re
sources can blind him to any other VIC
man.
But if-he loves Judge Rossmore'
daughter?" objected Shirley.
'It's for you to make him forget he
and you can replied the financie
confidently "My desire is to separate
him rom this Rossmore woman at an.