The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1907-01-27
CHAPTER H.

At hfty-six, John Burkett Ryder
was surprisingly well preserved With
the exception OF the slight stOop. al
ready noted, and the rapidly thinning
snow-white hair, his step was as light
and elastic. and his brain as vigorous
and alert. as ip a man al forty. or
old English stock. his physical make
up presented all those strongly marked
characteristics OF our race which.
sprung from Anglo Saxon ancestry,
but modified by nearly 800 years of
different climate and customs, has
gradually produced the distinct and
true American type. as easily recog
niEabls among the family OF nations
a. any other or the earths children.
Tall and Observation-Disclosures Ryder
would have attracted attention any
where. Men who have accomplished
much IN life usually bear plainly upon
their persons the indeIuaule stamp OF
achievement. whether OF good OF evil
which renders them conspicuous
among their fellows. We turn after
a man in the street and ask, Who is
hsT And nine times Out OF ten the
object OF our curiosity is "a man Who
mas made his mark-a success
fuI soldier. famous sailor
-
lawyer. or even a notorious crook
There was certainly nothing lu JouA
Ryder's outward appearance 10 JUSTIFY
I.ombrOs0's sensational description of
him. a social ana physiological
freak. a degenerate and prodigy v-
turpitude who, IN the pursuit or
money, brushes with The lusenslDllIly
OF a steel machine everyone who
stands in his way" On the contrary
Ryder OutWardly al least. was pre-
F-InltgtnsF His head
well shaped. and he had an intellec-
Iual brow. while power Nds eN pressed
In every gesture OF his hands ana
body. Every inch OF him suggested
strength and resOurCerulness. His
face. when IN good humOr. frequently
expanded IA a pleasant smile, and he
had even been known 20 laugh bols-
terously. usually al his own stories.
which he rightly considered very dfo!ll
ana or which he possessed gOOdly
stock, But In repOse his face grew
stern and fOrhidding, and when his
prognathsus jaw, indicative OF will
power and buldog Jenaclty, snapped
to with a click-like sound, those who
heard Il knew that squalls were com
ing.
But Il vas John Ryders eyes that
were regarded as the most reliable
barometer OF his mental condition.
Wonderful eyes they were, strangely
eloquent and e Expressive. and their
most singular feature was that they
possessed the uncanny power or
changing color like a eats. When
their owner was az peace with the
world. ana had temporarily shaken on
the cares OF business. his eyes We're
OF the most restful beautiful blue
Ike the sky after sunriss on spring
morning. and looking into their serene
depths Il seemed absurd TO think that
this man could ever harm 4 fE. His
race while under the spell OF this
kindly mood. was so benevolent and
gentle, so frank and honest that YOU
felt there was nothing I'm the world
purse honor, wife, Chiid-thaJ. II needs
be. you would not eHtrust 20 his keep
ing.
When this period or truce was end
ed when the plutocrat was once more
absorbed In controlling the political
as well as the commercial machinery
% the nation, then his eyes took on a
snakish greeHish hue. and one could
plainly read IT, them the cunning. the
sYariciOusuess, the meanuess. the in
satiahle thirst for gain that had made
this man the most INSCRIPTIONS
money -getter OF his time. But his ewes
had sun another color. and when this
last oTmation took place those
dependent on him, and even his
friends, quaked with fear For they
we're MS eyes OF anger. ON these
dreaded occasions his ewes grew
black as darkest night and flashed
nre as lightning Teuds the thUnderuIGud
tlnnsl hhsoFerHtlle fury was. In
deed. the weakest spot In John Rv-
uer's armOr. for In these moments of
appalling wrath he was reckless OF
what he said or did friendship. self
interest uTudeucP-aN were SACRIFICED
such was the Colossus on whom al
eyes were turned s. he entered. In
stantly the converse. Itrtss stopped as
BY magic. The directors uUdged each
other and whispered Instinctively.