Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-12-25

"I.-I see how the girl pleads your
cause for YOU. She loves you, my
boy.' jefferson started Yes. she
hoes" pursued Ryder senior. shes
worth thousand of the ROSSmore wo-
man Make her your wife, and III
Make her my wife, cried jefferson
joy"usly. He stared at his parent as
If lie thought he had suddenly been be
rcft of his senses.
Make her my wife," he repeated IN
creIulously.
well, what do you say?" demanded
Ryder senior.
The young man advanced toward
Shirley hands outstretched.
Yes, yes. Shir-Mlss Green. will
you:" Seeing that Shirley made no
sign. he said: Not now, father. will
speak to her later"
No. no; tonight-at oncey" insisted
Ryder: Addressing Shirley. he went
on: Miss Green. my son Is much af-
fected by your disinterested appeal In
his behalf He-he-you can save him
from himself. My son wishes yOu-he
asks you to become his wife! Is 1t not
SD. Jefferson"
YES. yes. my wife" advancing again
toward Shirley.
The girl shrank back In alarm.
"No. no, no. Mr. Ryder, l cannot; l
| cannot" she cried.
"Why not? demanded Ryder senior
appealngly. "Ah, don't-don't decide
hastily
Shirley, her face set and drawn and
keen mental distress showing In every
line of 1t, faced the two men, pale and
determined. The time had come to re-
veal the truth. This masquerade could
go on no longer. 1t was not honorable
either To her father or to herself. Her
self respect demanded that she inform
the flnancier of her true Identity.
Il cannot marry your son with these
lies upon my lips!" she cried. Il can
not 20 on with this deception. told you
you did not know who | was. who my
people were. My story about them. my
name. everything about me Is false.
every word | have uttered is lie.
fraud cheat. l would not tell you
now. but you trusted me and are Will
Ing to entrust your sons future. your
family honor In my keeping. and
can't keep back the truth from you.
Mr. Ryder. | nm the daughter OF the
man you hate. am tn. woman your
son loves. am Shirley Rossmore."
Ryder took his cigar from his lips
and rose slowly to his feet.
You? You:" he stammered.
'Yes-yes. l am the Rossmore wO-
man. Listen. Mr.. Ryder. Don't turn
away from me. Go TO Washington
on behalf OF my father. and l promise
you l Will never see your son again
never, never"
"Ah, Shirleyw cried Jefferson. "you
don't love me!'
Yes, Jef, l do. God knows do! But
II must break my own heart to save
my father will do it."
Would you sacrifice my happiness
and your own?
mo happiness can be built on lies.
Jeff. We must build OH truth or our
whole house will crumble and fall. We
have deceived your father. but he will
forgive that won't your she said. ap-
pealing to Ryder. "and you will go to
Washington. you will save my fathers
honor. his life. you willT-
They stood face to face-this slim.
delicate girl battling for her fathers
life, arrayed against cold blooded,
heartless. INSCRIPTIONS man. deaf to
every impulse Of human sympathy or
pity. Since this woman had deceived
him. fooled him. he would deal with
her as with every one else who crossed
his will. She laid her hand ON his arm,
pleading with him. Brutality. Savagely.
he thrust her aside.
mo, no. will not-' he Numbered.
You have wormed yourself into my
confidence by means of lies and deceit
You have tricked me. fooled me to the
very limit. oh. 1t Is easy to see how
you have beguiled my son into the fol.
~ Of loving you! And you-you have
the brazen eHrOntery to ask me to
plead for your fatherI No! No! No:
Let the law take its course. and now,
Miss Rossmore, you will please leave
my house tomorrow morning.
Shirley stood listening to what he
had to say. her face white. her mouth
quivering. At last the crisis had come.
1t was u fight to the finish between
this man. the incarnation Of corporate
greed. and herself. representing the
fundamental principles Of right and
Justice. She turned on him In a fury:
Yes. l will leave your house tonight.
Do you think l would remain another
hour beneath tie roof OF man who Is
as blind to justice. as deaf to mercy,
as incapable Of human sympathy, Us
you are-'
| She raised her voice. and as she
stood there denouncing the man Of
mone::. her eyes flashing and her head
thrown back. she looked like some
avensins angel defying one Of the
powers OF evil
| Leave the ro0m!' shouted Ryder,
! beside himself. and pointing to the
door.
| Father" cried Jefferson. starting
forward to protect the girl he loved.
you have trickcd him as you have
me" Numbered Ryder.
! 1T Is your own vanity that has trick
cd you" cried Shirley contemptuously.
''iOu lay traps for yourself and walk
into them. You can tell every one
around you to lie to you. to cajole you.
to praise you. to deceive you. At least
you cannot accuse me of flattering you.
l have never fawncd upon you as you
compel your family and your friends
and your dependents to do. l have al
ways appealed to your better nature
ey telling You the TRUTH and In your
heart you know that am speaking the
truth now"
Go" he commanded.
'Yes. let us go. Shirley" said Jefrcr-
son.
mo, JEFF. came here alone. and I'm
going alone'"
You are not. shall go with you.
l intend to make you my wife,
Ryder laughed scornfully.
| NO" cried Shirley do Won think