Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-12-18

NJ Roberts," inquired >hirlcr limo
ccat.!.
ooh the usual ry.,on." sighed the
hest Hes In love with another girl
a Miss RoSsmorc"
"oh. yes" answered Shirley simply.
Mr. Ryder spoke Of her
Mrs Ryder WAS Silent. and present
y She left the @'r' al,ne with her
work
Tht next afternoon Shirley was In
her room busy writing when there
came TAP at her Goor. Thinking 1t
was another visit from Mrs. Ryder.
She did not look UP, hut cried out pleas
antly;
come IN"
John Ryder entered He smiled cor
daily and. rs If ap,log;zng for the
Infusion, said amiably:
Il thought I'd run up 10 see how you
were getting along"
His coming was 50 unexpected that
for Il moment Shirley was startled but
she quickly reGaincd her composure
and asked him to take Il seat. He
seemed pleased To find her making such
good progress. and he stopped to an
swcr number of questions she put to
him. Shirley tried to be cordial. but
when she looked well 1T him and noted
the keen. hawk Ike eyes. the cruel,
vindictivc lines about the mouth, the
square set. relentless jaw-Wall street
had gone wrong with the Colossus that
day, and he was still gearing his war
paint-shc recalled the wrong this man
had done her father. and she felt how
bitterly she hated him. The more her
mind dwelt upon ii the more eXaSper
ated she was to think she should be
| there, Il guest under his roof, and 1t
was only with the greatest difficulty
that she remained civil.
what Is the moral Of Your lifeT'
she demanded bluntly.
lie was quick to note the cOntcmptu-
GUS tone in her voice, and he gave her
n keen, searching look rs II he were
trying to read her thoughts and fathOm
the reason for her very evident hOstil-
ity toward him.
What do you meant? he asked.
Il mean what can you show as your
life work? Most men whose lives are
big enough to call for biographies have
done something useful. They have
been famous statesmen, eminent scien.
fists, celebrated authors, great invent.
ors. What have you done?"
The question appeared to stagger
him. The audacity OF any one putting
such n question to man In his own
house was Incredible. He squared his
jaws, and his clinched fist descended
heavily ON the table.
What have l done?" he cried. II
have built up the greatest fortune ever
accumulated by one man. My fabu-
lOus wealth has caused my name to
spread to the four corners Of the earth.
Is that not an achievement to relate
to future generations"
Shirley gave little shrug Of her
shoulders.
Future generations will take no In.
terest in you or your Millions" she
said calmly. "Our civilization will
have made such progress by that time
that people will merely wonder why
We. In our day. tolerated men Of your
class SO long. Now 1t Is different. The
world is money mad. You are per.
son Of importance In the eyes Of the
unthinking multitude, but 1t only en-.
vies you your fortune; 1t does not ad.
mire you personally. When you die
people will count your millions. NOT
your good deeds"
He laughed cynically and drew up a
chair near her desk. As a general
thing. John Ryder never wasted words
on women. He had but poor opinion
Of their mentality and considered 1t be.
meath the dignity Of any man to enter
into serious argument with a woman
In fact, 1t was seldom he cOndescend
ed to argue with any one. He gave or
ders and talked to people: he had NO
patience to be talked to- Yet he found
himself listening with interest to this
young woman who expressed herself
SO frankly. 1t was a decided novelty
for him to hear the truth.
what do I care what the world
says when I'm deadT' he asked with
a forced laugh.
You do care" replied Shirley grave
~. "YOu may school yourself to be
lieve that you are Indifferent to the
good opinion Of your fellow man, but
right down In your heart you do care
every man does, whether he be multi
millionaire or a sneak thief"
you class the two together, no
ticc," he said bitterly.
1T Is often O distinction without 9
difference" she rejoined promptly.
He remained silent for a moment O,
two toying nervously with a paper
knife. Then. arrogantly, and as II anx
ious to impress her with his impor
lance, he said:
Most men would be satisfied II they
had accomplished what have Do you
realize that my wealth is SO vast that
I scarcely know myself what I an
worth? What my fortune will be In
another fifty years staggers the imagI
nation. Yet l started with nothing. |
made 1t oil myself. Surely l should get
credit for that"
How did you make itT" retorted
Shirley.
I'm America we don't ask how q
man makes his money. We ask II he
has got any"
"You are mistaken" replied Shirley
earnestly. America is waking up
The conscience of the nation Is being
aroused. We are coming to realize that
the scandals Of the last few years
were only the fruit Of public indifrer-
ence to sharp business practice. The
people will soon ask the dishonest rich
man where he got II, and there will
have to be an accounting. What &C.
count Will you be able to giveY'
He bit his lip and looked at her for
moment without replying. Then,
with faint suspicion OF sneer he
said:
You are neutrality-suspicious. an an
archist"'
"Only the ignorant commit the blum.
der OF cOnfounding the two" she re-