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

what you were saying.
She said nothing. wondering what
had happened TO render him so absent
minded. He read the question in hel
face. for. turning toward her. he OK
claimed
For the first time In my life l ali
face 10 face with defeat-defeat of the
most ignominiOus -incapaclty-
ability 10 regulate my own internal af
| fairs. ! can rule a government. but
can't manage my own family-my OWE
son I'm failure. Tell me-" he add
ed, appealing to her, "why can't
rule my own household, why can't
govern my own child?'
Why can't you govern yourselfY
said Shirley quietly.
| Ryder looked keenly at her for mo
ment without answering her question
then. as If prompted by a sudden inspi
ration. he said:
You can help me. but not by preach
| ing ut me. This Is the first time in my
life ! ever called on Il living soul fol
help. I'm only accustomed to deal with
case. and need your woman's wit
How can help your" asked Shirley
Il don't know" he answered with
suppressed excitement. "As l told you
am up against blank wall. l cant
see my way" lie gave a nervous lit
tie laugh and went on: I'm ashamed
Of myself-ashamed! Did you ever
read the fable Of the Lion and the
Mouse? Well. l want you to gnaw
with Your sharp wOman's teeth at the
cords which bind the son Of John Bur.
kett Ryder to this Rossmore woman.
want you to be the mOuse-to set me
free Of this disgraceful ENHANCEMENT"
How" asked Shirley calmly.
''Ah. that's Just it-howT he replied
Cant you think-yOu'rc a woman
you have youth. beauty-brains." He
stopped and eyed her closely until she
Redeemed from the embarrassing scru
tiny. Then he blurted out: by George
Marry him yourself-force him to LET
go Of this other woman! Why not
Come. what do you sayr'
This unexpected suggestion came
upon Shirley with oil the force Of q
violent shock. She Immediately saw
the falseness Of her position. This man
was asking for her hand for his son
under the impression that she was an
other woman. 1t would be dishonora-
Bile Of her to keep up the deception any
longer She passed her hand over her
90
'You-you must give me time tO
think" she stammered. Suppose ]
don't love your son. l should want
Omething-sOmething to compensate"
Something to compensate" echoed
Ryder surprised and little discon
ccrted. "Why. the boy Will Inherit
mlllions-I don't know how many"
"No-no. not money" rejOined Shir
icy. Money only compenyates those
who love money. It's something else
a mans honor, mans life! 1t means
nothing to you"
He gazed ut her, not understanding
Full Of his own project. he had mind
for nothing else. Ignoring therefore
the question of compensation. what
ever she might mean by that, he con
tinued:
"You can win him II you make UP
Jour mind to. A woman with your re
tOurces can blind him to any otheI
! woman"
but II he loves Judge ROssmore's
daughter?" objected Shirley.
ITS for you to make him forget her
and you cam" replied the fnancier con
fidently. MY desire Is to separat.
him from this RossmOre woman at any
cost. You must help me-" Ills stern
ness relaxed somewhat, and his eye.
rested on her kindly. do you know.
should be glad to think you won't have
to leave us. Mrs. Ryder has taken q
fancy to you. and l myself shall miss
you when you 60"
You ask me to be your sons wife
and you know nothing of my family
said Shirley.
II know you. That Is sufficient" HI
replied.
mo. no. you DON'T" returned Shirley
NOR do you know your son. He Ia.
more constancy, more strength Of char
acter. than you think and far more
principle than you have"
$50 much the greater the victory fol
you." he answered good humoredly.
"Ah." she said reproachfully. "yor
do not love your SON."
Il do love him." replied Ryder warm
| T. s.Yxs 1J ~,
such fool In this matter. Don't 70,
see that If he marrIes this girl 1t would
separate us and l should lose him?
don't want to lose him. II welcomed
her to my house, 1t would make me thu
laughing stock Of all my friends ant
business associates. Come. will you
Join forces with me-"
Shirley shook her head and was about
to reply when the telephone bell rang
Ryder took up the receiver and spoke
to the butler downstairs:
who's that? Judge Stott? Tel
him I'm too busy to see any one
What's that? A mans life ut stake
What's that to do with me? Tel
him
On hearing StOtt's name, Shirley
nearly betrayed herself. She turned
pale and half started up from her chair
Something serious must have happened
to bring her fathers legal adviser t.
the Ryder residence at such an hour
She thought he was in Washington
Could 1t Ike that the proceedings In the
senate were ended and the result
known? She could hardly conceal hel
anxiety and instinctively she placed
her hand on Ryder's arm.
"NO. Mr.. Ryder. do see Judge StOtt
You must see him. know who he Is
Your son has told me. Judge Stott 1.
one Of Judge RossmOre's advisers. SCI
him. You may find out something
about the girl. You may find Ou
where she Is. If Jefferson finds Ou
you have refused to see her father
friend at such a critical time, 1t will
only make him sympathize more deep
ly with the Rossmores. and you know
sympathy is akin to love. That's wha
you want to avoid, isn't itY'
Ryder still held the telephone, hest
vH~nA a. Il