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

At that instant the library door was
thrown open and the butler appeared.
! usheriny In Stott. The lawyer looked
anxious, and his disheveled appear
ance indicated that he had come direct
/ from the train. Shirley scanned his
3 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 Iii
rect toward Ryder. who had risen and
remained standing at his desk.
perhaps l had better goT ventured
Shirley, although tortured by anxiety
to hear the news from Washington.
No" said Ryder quickly. Judge
! Stott will detain me but very few
moments"
Having delivered himself Of this del
icate hint, he looked toward his visitor
as IL inviting him to come to the point
as rapidly as possible.
Il must apologize for intrudins at
| this unseemly hour. SIR" said Stott,
but time Is precious. The senate
meets tomorrow to vote. II anything
is to be done for Judge ROssmore it
| Must be done tonight"
Il fall to see why you address your
self to me In this matter. SIR" replied
Ryder. with asperity.
".As Judge Eossinore's friend and
counsel" answered Stott, II am I'M
PEELED to ask your help at this critical
moment"
The matter Is In the hands Of tho
United States senate. sir" replied Hy-
der coldly.
They are against him." cried Stott
Not one senator I've spoken to holds
out any hope for him. If he Is convict
cd 1t will mean his death. Inch by
inch his life Is leaving him. The only
thing that can save him Is the good
news OF the senate's refusal to find him
guilty"
Stott was talking 50 excitedly and
loudly tnat neither he nor Ryder heard
the low moan that came from the
corner Of the room where Shirley was
standing listening.
Il can do nothing" repeated Ryder
coldly. and ne turned his back and be-
gan to examine some papers lying on
his desk as II to notify the caller that
the Interview was ended. But Stott
was not SO easily discouraged. He
went on:
AS understand 1t. they Will vote on
power Is against him. He's a marked
man. You have the power to help
him." Needless Of Ryder's gesture Of
Impotence, he continued: when left
his bedside tonight, SIR, promised to
return to him with good news. l have
told him that the senate ridicules the
| charges against him. I must return to
him with good news. lie Is very i'll to-
night. SIR" He halted for moment
and glanced In Shirley's direction. and,
slightly raising his voice SO she might
hear. he added. III he gets worse, We
shall send for his daughter"
where is his daughterT' demanded
Ryder, suddenly interested.
''She Is working in her fathers In
terests." replied Stott, and, he added
significantly. II believe with some hope
Of success"
He gave Shirley quick. questioning
look. She nodded afiirmatlvely. Ryder.
who had seen nothing Of this byplay,
said with q sneer:
surely you didn't come here tonight
to tell me thisY''
mo. Sir. did not" He took from
his pocket two letters-the two which
Shirley had sent him-and held them
out for Ryder's inspection These let
ters from Judge Rossmore to you." he
said. 'show you to be acquainted with
the fact that he bought those shares as
an invextment-and did not receive
them as a bribe."
When he caught sight Of the letters
and he realized what they were. Ryder
changed color. Instinctivcly his eyes
sought the drawer ON the left hand
side Of his desk. In a voice that was
unnaturally calm he asked:
why don't you produce them before
the senatef"
1T was too late" explained Stott,
handing them to the flnancier. IL re-
ceived them only two days ago. But II
you come forward and declare
Ryder made an effort to control him.
self.
| Ill do nothing Of the kind refuse
to move In the matter. That Is final
And now. SIR" he added, raising his
voice and pointing TO the letters. IL
wish to know how comes II that you
had In your possession private CORE
spOndence addressed to me:'
THAT cannot answer" replied Stott
promptly.
From whom did you receive these
letters" demanded Ryder.
StOtt was dumb, while Shirley clutch
ed ut her chair Us IL she would fall
The financier repeated the question.
Il must decline to answer" replied
StOtt finally.
Shirley left her place and came slow.
ly forward. Addressing Ryder. she
said:
Il wish to make statement"
The financier gazed ut her In aston
ishment. What could she know about
| It he wondered md no winfield with