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


butler, who entered, he said: "See II
Mr.. Jefferson is still in the house. II
he t.. tell him would like to see him
here at once
The man disappeared and Ryder
strobe angrily up and down the room
with the letters in his hand. Then
turning abruptly on Stott, he said:
And now, sir. l think nothing more
remains to he said. l shall keep these
letters, as they are my property"
"As you please. Good night. sir"
Good night" replied Ryder. moi
looking up.
With significant glance at Shirley
who motioned to him that she might
yet succeed where he had failed. StOtt
left the room. Ryder turned to Shir-
ley. His fierceness Of manner softened
down as he addressed the girl:
You see what they have done to
my som
Yes" replied Shirley. Its the girls
fault If Jefferson hadn't loved her
you would have helped the judge. All.
why did they ever meet. She has
worked on his sympathy and he-he
took these letters for her sake. not to
lnjure you. oh. you must make some
allowance for him. Ones sympathy
gets aroused in spite of oneself. Even
| feel sorry for-thesc people"
Don't" replied Ryder grimly; "syn-
pathy IS often weakness. All. there
you are" turning to jefferson, who en-
tered the room at that moment
"You sent for me, fatherY
"Yes." said Ryder senior. holding W
the letters. "Have you ever seen these
letters before"
amined them. Then he passed them
back to his father and said frankly:
"Yes, took them out OF your desk
and sent them to Mr.. Stott In the hope
they would help Judge RossmOre's
case"
Ryder restra ined himself from pro
cccding to actual violence only with
the greatest difficulty. His face grew
white as death, his lips were compress
ed. his hands twitched convulsively,
his eyes flashed dangerously. He took
another cigar to give the impression
that he had himself we'll under con-
troll, but the violent trembling Of his
hands rs he lit 1t betrayed the terrific
strain he was under.
"So. he said. you deliberately sac
rificed my interests to save this wO-
mans father-yOu hear him. Miss
Green? Jefferson. my boy. think it's
time you and I had a final account
Ing"
Shirley made a motion as II about to
withdraw. lie stopped her with a ges-
ture
please don't go, Miss Green. As the
writer OF my biography you are suffi'
GENTLY we'll acquainted with my fam.
lily affairs to warrant your being pres.
ent Mt the epilogue. Besides. want
an excuse for keeping my temper. Sit
down. Miss Green"
Turning to Jefferson. he went on:
For your mothers sake. my boy, ]
have overlooked your little eccentrici-
ties Of character. But now we have
arrived at the parting Of the ways
you have gone too far The one aspect
Of this business I cannot overlook Is
your willingness to sell your own IA
Their for the sake Of woman"
MY own father" interrupted JEFF
ferson bitterly, would not hesitate to
sell me II his business and political
interests warranted the sacrificer'
Shirley attempted the role OF peace
maker. Appealing to the younger man
she said:
please don't talk like that. Mr.. JET.
ferson." Then she turned to Ryder
senior: II don't think your son quite
understands you. Mr.. Ryder. and. II
you will pardon me. I don't think you
quite understand him. DO you realize
that there Is n mans life at stake
that Judge Kossmore Is almost ut the
point Of death and that favorable news
from the senate tomorrow Is perhaps
the only thing that can save himY"
"Ah, l see." sneered Ryder senior
Judge Stott's story has aroused your
sympathy"
"Yes. II confess my sympathy Is
aroused. do feel for this father
whose life Is slowly ebbing away
whose strength Is being Slapped hourly
by the thought Of the disgrace-the In.
justice that is being done him! l dc
feel for the wife OF this suffering
man.
"Ah, It's a complete picture" cried
Ryder mockingly. THE dying father
the sorrowing mothcr-and the daugh.
ter. whit Is she supposed to be dOing?'
"She is fighting for her fathers lifc,"
cried Shirley. ''und you. Mr.. Jefferson
should have pleaded-pleaded-nOt de.
manded. It's no use trying to combat
your fathers Will"
'She Is quite right. father. should
have implOred you. do so now. !
ask you for Gods sake to help us!'
Ryder was grim and silent. He rose
from his seat and paced the room, pun.
Ing savagely ut his cigar. Then he
turned and said:
Ills TcIHONdl Is Il I,Oiltlcut necessity
III he goes back on the bench every
paltry Justice Of the peace. every petty
official will think he has special mis-
sion to tear down the structure that
hard work and capital have erected
No. this man has been especially con-
spicuOus In his efforts to block the
progress Of amalsamated interests"
'.tnd so he must be sacrificed? 2" cried
Shirley Indignantly.
'He is q meddlesome man," insisted
Ryder, and
'He Ii innocent Of the charges
brought against him." urged Jefferson.
mr.. Ryder Is not considering that
point" said Shirley bitterly. "An he
can SEQ Is that 1t Is necessary to put
this poor old man In the public pillory,
to set him up as q warning to others
Of his class not to net In accordance
with the principles Of truth and justice
not to dare to Obstruct the car Of jug.
gernaut set In motion by tho money
gods Of the country"
ITS the survival Of the fittest, my
DEAR" said Ryder coldly.
"Oh." cried Shirley. making a last