The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-01-20
'aled. 49, he said, "you know my

name?"
She lifted a book from the reading
table and. opening it. held it out to
him in the lamplight. Upon the fly
leaf was Inscribed. TO John Ryder.
From His Mother" The mans face
hardened. then he said: You must
have heard the whole miserable story.
1t has been we'll advertised throughout
She country.
The girl leaned forward. Twill you
let me tell you all that | have heard:"
She asked gently. He made an ilnpa-
tient gesture OF dissent.
ut will be better for you the girl
urged. ITO talk it over. Bearing so
much alone has made you morbid"
A you WILL said the man and
buried his face in his hands.
Il remember the day"-her voice was
tender with sympathy-''that the news
boys were calling. Extra. along the
streets and | stopped to buy a paper
with its giaring headlines. John Ryder
Absconded." had heard about his
extravagslt entertainments. his genpr.
Gus gifts to charity. Now | read of
widows and orphans left destitute. of
homes destroyed because OF his dis
honesty. ! T'hen. while the world was
still talking of his great crime, another
extra vas called--.John Ryder Dead
As I read the sad story tears filled my
eyes, for he was returning home. re-
turning old and broken after one week
to give himself up to the authorities.
when they found him. But be never
reached the prison walls. Heart dis
ease. the papers said. though it seem
ed to me that. realizing the enormity
of his crime and sorrowing for it, he
had died. Then | read of the son left
to bear the shock and disgrace. They
had blamed him. too-the papers-with
sharp. singing words. limiting that. as
sociated closely with his father in bust
ness affairs. he must have known that
the money which provided him with
every luxury was not honestly earned.
Oh. was glad when he showed him
self true and tonged to go to this Sec
ond John Ryder to tell him how splen-
did he was. for he gave up everything
the independent fortune which his
mother had left her son. his automo-
biles. not even withholding the beau
tiflll horse which had been his pet and
pride. Then. penniless and quite alone.
he disappeared.
John Ryder. asked the girl again.
why did you come hereY"
The man raised his face. ut was
the coward instinct. | suppose" he
said bitterly. ''rhe fight was too strong
for mi 80 deserted. My mother
loved this little place. and 1 could not
let 1t g SO It was here we came to
hide away from them all. Laddie
and T."
You q deserter." cried the girl. and
her eyes were gleaming-.th bravest
that | have v er known! Shall L
tell you why you ca me here to be alone
for a time? 1t was that you might
gather your forces together and then.
going back into the very midst OF the
fight. show them. not what a John
Ryder has been, but what q John
Ryder can be-
The mans eyes seemed to have
cduSut uFe from neFS. ~ could DO all
that and more he cried. IF you were
waiting for me at lie eud.." The girls
face WAS very white. Forgive me-
said tue mii hlsklly-..forgive me If
you ean. have been quite carried
away There was Il long silence he
fore The gir, spoke.
You have MISC heard MY nalne. she
said. am Antoinette Drew. the
promised wife OF the governor
You cfIett the man incredulously
he looked n the gfrlish face ip it's
fraine OF curling hair.
He was my fatnsrsss friend she ex.
planned. .'anG held rle upon his knee
rs \ child r was mother, IA think.
who made him realize that he wanted
me for bis wife. We have beeu taught.
my sisters aud |. that TO achieve prom
nence and wealth leaves nothing Is
pc desired. and we have done credit %
our teaching. Out here ia she great
White world have been thinking
Times over. wondering Il j dare IS