The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1911-06-03
[coNr1Nu1n]

dearest? answered Shirley gently.
1.-The victims Of human injustice al
ways suffer where their loved ones
are tortured. Why are things as they
are? I don't know. 1 know they
are-that's ALL
:, The young man strobe nervously up
and down the room, while she gazed
l1stlessly out Of the window, looking
for the cab that was to carry her
away from this house Of disappotnt
ment. He pleaded with her:
!, II have tried honorabl and failed
You have tried honorably and failed.
Isn't the sting of ilnpotent failure
enough to meet without striving
against a hopeless love?' He ap-
preached her and said softly: II love
you, Shirley-don't drive me to des-
peration. Must be punished because
you have failed? It's unfair. The
sins of the fathers should not be visit
ed upon the children"
But they are-it's the law" said
Shirley, with resignation.
"The law?'' he echoed.
Eyes, the law insisted the girl;
'tman's law, not Gods, the same un-
just law that Furnishes my father
mans law which is, put into the hands
at the weak
She sank into a chair and, covering
up her face, wept bitterly. Between
her<sobs she cried brokenly:
II believed in the power Of love to
soften y1ur fathers heart, believed
that with Gods help could bring him
to see the truth. I believed that truth
and love would make him see the light,
but it hasn't. stayed on and on, hop.
ing against hope until the time has
gone by and it's too late to save him
too late! What can do now? My 60
ing to Washington is forlorn hope, a
last, miserable, foriorn hope, and in
this hour, the darkest of all, you ask
me to think Of myself-my love, your
love, your happiness, your future, my
future! All, wouldn't it be sublime
selfshness?"
Jefferson kneeled down beside the
chair and, taking her hand in his, tried
to reason with her and comfort her.
Listen, Shirley" he said; do not do
something you will surely regret. You
are Furnishing me not only because
have failed, but because you have fail
ed too. It seems to me that If you be-
l1eved it possible to accomplish SO
much, If you had so much faith-that
you have lost your faith rather quickly.
believed in nothing. had no faith,
and yet have not lost hope"
. She shook her head and gently with.
drew her hand.
>."It is useless to insist, Jefferson.
Until my father is cleared Of this stain
our lives-yours and mine-must liz
b apart"
Some one coughed, and, startled, they
both looked up. MIR. Ryder had entered
the room unobserved and stood watch
ing them. Shirley Immediately rose to
her feet indignant, resenting this in
truston ON her privacy after she had
declined to receive the f1nancier. Yet,
! she reflected quickly, how could she
prevent It? He was at home, free to
i come and go as he pleased, but she
was not compelled to remain in the
same room with him. She picked up
the few things that lay about and, with
& q contemptuous toss Of her head, re-
I treated into the inner apartment, leav-
ing father and son alone together.
Hum" grunted Ryder senior. II
rather thought should find you here,
but didn't quite expect to find you on
i your knees-draggdn our pride in the
& mud"
That's where our pride ought to be-
retprted Jefferson savagely. He felt in
/. the humor to say anything, no matter
& what the consequences.
81 $50 she has refused you again, eh p
said Ryder senior, with grin.
Yes" rejoined Jefferson, with grow
ing irritation. "She objects to my
fan4ly. I don't blame her,"
The hnancter smiled gramly as he an
gwered:
Four family in general-me In par
I hcular, eh?- CLEANED that much when
31 came in" he looked toward the door
Il Of the room In which Shirley had taken
3 refuge, and, as If talking to himself, he
D&41100st "A CuIAUuS 6NA W4u A0
I'd point Of view; sees everything diff
B fersnt to others. want to sec her be-
4 fore she goes"
He walked over to the door and rails
.Sed his hand as II he were about to
1 knock. Then he stopped as If he had
changed his mind, and, turning toward
u his son, he demanded: .
.sDo you mean to say that she has
& done with your
Eyes, answered Jefferson bitterly.
'Finally?' %,@.
Yes. fnally--forever!''
Does she mean it7'' asked Ryder
al senior specifically.
Yes; she will not listen to me while
q her father Is still In peril" -
There was an expression Of half
amusement, half admiration, on the
nnancier's face % he again turned to.
ward the door.
ITS like her, Just Ike her, !" he NUT.
& tered. H.. !, ! }.$s 49,. y. ...&...L
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