Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-11-20


minds in the country"
Has any woman siftc,l il over" de-
maud'd shirley
NO. but StImmered Stott
Then its about time one did" said
III" Girl d-csively. Those letters my
father speaks Of they would be useful,
would they not
They would he invaluable"
Then I'll get them. II not
but don't understand how you're
going Ia get Mt Ryder" interrupted
Stutt
This IS how" replied Shirley. pass
In; over 10 him the letter she had re-
cevcd that afternoon.
A. Stott recognized the well known
signature and read the contents the
expression of his face changed. lIe
gaSped for breath and sank Into n
chair from sheer astonishment.
".Ah. that's different" lie cried.
That's different
Briefly Shirley outlined her plan. cx-
planning that she would go TO live in
the city Immediately and conduct her
campaign from there. II she was sue
cessful. 1t might save her father. and
If not no harm could become Of II.
That same evening her mother. the
Judge and Stott went for stroll after
dinner and left her to take care OF
the house They had wanted Shirley
| to go, too but she pleaded fatigue. The
! h. D., -, nj.
40 that she could ponder undisturbed
over her plans. 1t was n clear. stArlit
night. with no moon. and Shirley sat
on the porch listening to the chirping
Of the crlcketS and Idly watching the
flashes OF the mysterious tireilies. She
was In no mood for reading and sat
| for IL long time rocking herself. en-
crossed In her thoughts. Suddenly she
heard some one unfasten the garden
| gate 1t was too soon for the return
of the promenaderS. Ii must he Il Wis
! itor Through the uncertain penuinbrn
of the garden she disccrncd approach
| ing a form which looked familiar Yes,
now there was no doubt possible. II
was indeed Jefferson Ryder.
She hurried down the porch to greet
him. No matter what the father had
done. she could never think any the
less of the SON He took her hand. and
! for several moments neither one spoke.
There are times when silence Is more
eloquent than speech. and this was one
of them. The gentle grip of his big,
strong hand expressed more tenderly
than any words the sympathy that lay
IN his heart for the woman he loved.
Shirley said quietly:
"You have come ut last, Jefferson"
Il came as soon as l could" he re-
piled gently. Il saw father only yes
terday."
You need not tell me what he said"
Shirley FASTENED to say.
Jefferson made no reply. He under
stood what she meant He hung his
head and hit viciously with his walk
feet. She went on:
Il know everything now. 1t was
foolish Of me to think that Mr.. Ryder
would ever help U.S."
Il can't help 1t In any way" blurted
out jefferson. Il have not the slight
est influence over him. His business
methods l consider disgraceful. You
understand that, don't you. Shirley"
The girl laid her hand on his arm
and replied kindly:
"Of course, JEFF. we know that
Come up and sit down."
He followed her on the porch and
drew up a rocker beside her
They are all out for walk" she
explained.
I'm glad" he said frankly. Il
wanted quiet talk with you. l did
not care to meet any one. My name
must be odious to your people"
Both were silent. feeling certain
awkwardncss. They seemed to have
drifted apart in some way since those
ship. Then he said:
I'm going away. but l couldn't go
until saw you"
"You are going awayw exclaimed
Shirley. surprised.
"Yes." he said. II cannot stand It any
more Mt home. l had a hot talk with
my father yesterday about one thing
and another. He and don't chin well
together Besides this matter OF your
fathers Impeachment has completely
discouraged me. All the wealth in the
world could never reconcile me to such
methods! I'm ashamed Of the role my
own flesh and blood has played in that
| h1a n ffafr pon'f w hn 4
l feel about It, But what are you 60
ing to do?" he asked. "These sur
rOundings are not for you lie
looked around ut the cheap furnishings
which he could see through the open
window, and his face showed real con-
Germ.
II shall teach or write. or go out as
governess." replied Shirley. with a
tinge OF bitterness. Then smiling sad
ly she added: Poverty Is easy. 1t Is
unmerited disgrace which Is hard"
The young man drew his chair closer
and took hold Of the hand that lay In
her lap. She made no resistance
Shirley" he said. do you remem-
Der that talk we had on the ship?
asked you to be my wife. You led me
to believe that you were not Indifferent
to me. ask you again to marry me-
Give me the right to take care Of you
and yours. am the son Of the worlds
richest man. but l don't want his
money. ! have earned a competence
OF my own-enOugh to live on com.
fortably. We will go away where you
and your father and mother will make
their hcme with us. DO not let the
sins Of the fathers embitter the lives
OF the children"
mine has not sinned," said Shirley
bitterly.
Il wish I could say the same OF
mine" replied Jefferson. 1T is be.
cause the clouds are dark about you
that l want to come into your life ia
comfort you"
The girl shook her head
mo, Jefferson. the circumstances
make such marriage impossible
| Xunr family opH n,ar.bn,pv ot,o ,,xo,,y,