The Monroe journal. [volume] (Monroe, N.C.) 189?-1965, 1910-08-23
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She lifted q book from the reading
table and, opening il. held il out TO
him In the lamplight. Upon the ny-
leaf was inscribed. To John RYDER,
From His Mother" The mans face
hardened. then be said: You must
have heard the whole miserable story.
II Las been well advertised throughout
the country"
The girl leaned forward "wiIl you
let me tell you all that have heardg
she asked gently. He made an impa.
tient gesture Of dissent.
1T will be better for you." the girl
urged, ito talk II over. Bearing so
much alone has made you morbid"
"As 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 glaring headlines, John Ryder
Absconded" | had heard about his
extravaganza entertainments. his gener.
ous gifts TO charity. Now l read Of
widows and orphans left destitute, Of
homes destroyed because of his dis
honesty. Then. while the world was
still talking of his great crime, another
extra was called-John Ryder Dead'
As read the sad story tears filed my
eyes. for he was returning home, re-
turning old and broken after one week
20 give himself up 10 the authorities,
when they found him. But he never
reached the prison walls. Heart dis
ease, the papers said. though ii seem.
ed to me that. realizing the enormity
of his crime and Borrowing for IL, 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
ISOLATED 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 longed 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
tiful 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 hereT'
The man raised his face. ut was
the coward instinct, suppose" he
said bitterly. 1.-The fight was too strong
for me. so | deserted. My mother
loved this little place. and | could not
let II go. so il was here We came to
hide away from them all, Laddie
and l."
"You a deserter.' cried the girl, and
her eyes were gleaming-"the bravest
man that have ever known! Shall |
tell you why you came here to he alone
for n 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 a John
Ryder can be-"
The mans eyes seemed to have
caught fire from hers. Il could do all
that and more" he cried, ''if you were
waiting for me at the end"' The girls
face was very white. Forgive me-"
said the man huskily-"forgive me II
you can. / have been quite carried
away" There was a long silence be-
fore the girl spoke.
you have also heard my name" she
said. II am Antoinette Drew, the
promised wife Of the governor"
Your cried the man incredulously
as he looked at the girlish face in Its
frame Of curling hair.
"He was my fathers friend" she ex-
planned, land held me upon his knee
as a child. 1t was mother, think.
who made him realize that he wanted
me for his wife. We have been taught,
my sisters aud |. that to achieve prom
inence and wealth leaves nothing to
be desired, and we have done credit to
our teaching. Out here in the great
white world | have been thinking
things over, wondering IL dare be
true. ], too. have a battle before me,
and | am going to play the game fair.
l am going back to brave my fathers
anger and my mothers displeasure-to
tell the governor all and ask pardon
for the great wrong done him. | am
glad" she added softly, that my de-
cision had been made before knocked
at your door, else | might question my
own motive today"
The man leaned forward. "If he
holds you to your promise" he asked
tensely. what thenT"
The girl sighed. Il shall at least
have been honest"
"And IL he releases your"
With a rush and slide great
weight of snow came laundering down
from the roof. John Ryder" cried
the girl unsteadily, "our furlough is
over. Get out your shovel and set me
free"
For days he haunted the little post
office. His last memory Of her had
been as she stood upon the platform
NJ tho train TINT wnc CARRYING har |