CHAPTER XV
It was now December and the Senate had been in session for over a week.Jefferson had not forgotten his promise, and one day, about two weeksafter Mr. Bagley's spectacular dismissal from the Ryder residence, hehad brought Shirley the two letters. She did not ask him how he gotthem, if he forced the drawer or procured the key. It sufficed for herthat the precious letters--the absolute proof of her father'sinnocence--were at last in her possession. She at once sent them off byregistered mail to Stott, who immediately acknowledged receipt and atthe same time announced his departure for Washington that night. Hepromised to keep her constantly informed of what he was doing and howher father's case was going. It could, he thought, be only a matter ofa few days now before the result of the proceedings would be known.
The approach of the crisis made Shirley exceedingly nervous, and it wasonly by the exercise of the greatest self-control that she did notbetray the terrible anxiety she felt. The Ryder biography was nearlyfinished and her stay in Seventy-fourth Street would soon come to anend. She had a serious talk with Jefferson, who contrived to see a gooddeal of her, entirely unsuspected by his parents, for Mr. and Mrs.Ryder, had no reason to believe that their son had any more than a merebowing acquaintance with the clever young authoress. Now that Mr.Bagley was no longer there to spy upon their actions these clandestineinterviews had been comparatively easy. Shirley brought to bear all thearguments she could think of to convince Jefferson of the hopelessnessof their engagement. She insisted that she could never be his wife;circumstances over which they had no control made that dreamimpossible. It were better, she said, to part now rather than incur therisk of being unhappy later. But Jefferson refused to be convinced. Heargued and pleaded and he even swore--strange, desperate words thatShirley had never heard before and which alarmed her not a little--andthe discussion ended usually by a kiss which put Shirley completelyhors de combat.
Meantime, John Ryder had not ceased worrying about his son. The removalof Kate Roberts as a factor in his future had not eliminated the dangerof Jefferson taking the bit between his teeth one day and contracting asecret marriage with the daughter of his enemy, and when he thought ofthe mere possibility of such a thing happening he stormed and raveduntil his wife, accustomed as she was to his choleric outbursts, wasthoroughly frightened. For some time after Bagley's departure, fatherand son got along together fairly amicably, but Ryder, Sr. was quick tosee that Jefferson had something on his mind which was worrying him,and he rightly attributed it to his infatuation for Miss Rossmore. Hewas convinced that his son knew where the judge's daughter was,although his own efforts to discover her whereabouts had beenunsuccessful. Sergeant Ellison had confessed absolute failure; MissRossmore, he reported, had disappeared as completely as if the earthhad swallowed her, and further search was futile. Knowing well hisson's impulsive, headstrong disposition, Ryder, Sr. believed him quitecapable of marrying the girl secretly any time. The only thing thatJohn Ryder did not know was that Shirley Rossmore was not the kind of agirl to allow any man to inveigle her into a secret marriage. TheColossus, who judged the world's morals by his own, was not of courseaware of this, and he worried night and day thinking what he could doto prevent his son from marrying the daughter of the man he had wronged.
The more he pondered over it, the more he regretted that there was notsome other girl with whom Jefferson could fall in love and marry. Heneed not seek a rich girl--there was certainly enough money in theRyder family to provide for both. He wished they knew a girl, forexample, as attractive and clever as Miss Green. Ah! he thought, therewas a girl who would make a man of Jefferson--brainy, ambitious,active! And the more he thought of it the more the idea grew on himthat Miss Green would be an ideal daughter-in-law, and at the same timesnatch his son from the clutches of the Rossmore woman.
Jefferson, during all these weeks, was growing more and more impatient.He knew that any day now Shirley might take her departure from theirhouse and return to Massapequa. If the impeachment proceedings wentagainst her father it was more than likely that he would lose herforever, and if, on the contrary, the judge were acquitted, Shirleynever would be willing to marry him without his father's consent; andthis, he felt, he would never obtain. He resolved, therefore, to have afinal interview with his father and declare boldly his intention ofmaking Miss Rossmore his wife, regardless of the consequences.
The opportunity came one evening after dinner. Ryder, Sr. was sittingalone in the library, reading, Mrs. Ryder had gone to the theatre witha friend, Shirley as usual was writing in her room, giving the finaltouches to her now completed "History of the Empire Trading Company."Jefferson took the bull by the horns and boldly accosted hisredoubtable parent.
"May I have a few minutes of your time, father?"
Ryder, Sr. laid aside the paper he was reading and looked up. It wasunusual for his son to come to him on any errand, and he liked toencourage it.
"Certainly, Jefferson. What is it?"
"I want to appeal to you, sir. I want you to use your influence, beforeit is too late, to save Judge Rossmore. A word from you at this timewould do wonders in Washington."
The financier swung half-round in his chair, the smile of greetingfaded out of his face, and his voice was hard as he replied coldly:
"Again? I thought we had agreed not to discuss Judge Rossmore anyfurther?"
"I can't help it, sir," rejoined Jefferson undeterred by his sire'shostile attitude, "that poor old man is practically on trial for hislife. He is as innocent of wrongdoing as a child unborn, and you knowit. You could save him if you would."
"Jefferson," answered Ryder, Sr., biting his lip to restrain hisimpatience, "I told you before that I could not interfere even if Iwould; and I won't, because that man is my enemy. Important businessinterests, which you cannot possibly know anything about, demand hisdismissal from the bench."
"Surely your business interests don't demand the sacrifice of a man'slife!" retorted Jefferson. "I know modern business methods are none toosqueamish, but I should think you'd draw the line at deliberate murder!"
Ryder sprang to his feet and for a moment stood glaring at the youngman. His lips moved, but no sound came from them. Suppressed wrathrendered him speechless. What was the world coming to when a son couldtalk to his father in this manner?
"How dare you presume to judge my actions or to criticise my methods?"he burst out, finally.
"You force me to do so," answered Jefferson hotly. "I want to tell youthat I am heartily ashamed of this whole affair and your connectionwith it, and since you refuse to make reparation in the only waypossible for the wrong you and your associates have done JudgeRosmore--that is by saving him in the Senate--I think it only fair towarn you that I take back my word in regard to not marrying withoutyour consent. I want you to know that I intend to marry Miss Rossmoreas soon as she will consent to become my wife, that is," he added withbitterness, "if I can succeed in overcoming her prejudices against myfamily--"
Ryder, Sr. laughed contemptuously.
"Prejudices against a thousand million dollars?" he exclaimedsceptically.
"Yes," replied Jefferson decisively, "prejudices against our family,against you and your business practices. Money is not everything. Oneday you will find that out. I tell you definitely that I intend to makeMiss Rossmore my wife."
Ryder, Sr. made no reply, and as Jefferson had expected an explosion,this unnatural calm rather startled him. He was sorry he had spoken soharshly. It was his father, after all.
"You've forced me to defy you, father," he added. "I'm sorry---"
Ryder, Sr. shrugged his shoulders and resumed his seat. He lit anothercigar, and with affected carelessness he said:
"All right, Jeff, my boy, we'll let it go at that. You're sorry--so amI. You've shown me your cards--I'll show you mine."
His composed unruffled manner vanished. He suddenly threw off the maskand revealed the tempest that was raging within. He leaned across thedesk, his face convulsed with uncontrollable passion, a terrifyingpictu
re of human wrath. Shaking his fist at his son he shouted:
"When I get through with Judge Rossmore at Washington, I'll start afterhis daughter. This time to-morrow he'll be a disgraced man. A weeklater she will be a notorious woman. Then we'll see if you'll be soeager to marry her!"
"Father!" cried Jefferson.
"There is sure to be something in her life that won't bear inspection,"sneered Ryder. "There is in everybody's life. I'll find out what it is.Where is she to-day? She can't be found. No one knows where she is--noteven her own mother. Something is wrong--the girl's no good!"
Jefferson started forward as if to resent these insults to the woman heloved, but, realizing that it was his own father, he stopped short andhis hands fell powerless at his side.
"Well, is that all?" inquired Ryder, Sr. with a sneer.
"That's all," replied Jefferson, "I'm going. Good-bye."
"Good-bye," answered his father indifferently; "leave your address withyour mother."
Jefferson left the room, and Ryder, Sr., as if exhausted by theviolence of his own outburst, sank back limp in his chair. The crisishe dreaded had come at last. His son had openly defied his authorityand was going to marry the daughter of his enemy. He must do somethingto prevent it; the marriage must not take place, but what could he do?The boy was of age and legally his own master. He could do nothing torestrain his actions unless they put him in an insane asylum. He wouldrather see his son there, he mused, than married to the Rossmore woman.
Presently there was a timid knock at the library door. Ryder rose fromhis seat and went to see who was there. To his surprise it was MissGreen.
"May I come in?" asked Shirley.
"Certainly, by all means. Sit down."
He drew up a chair for her, and his manner was so cordial that it waseasy to see she was a welcome visitor.
"Mr. Ryder," she began in a low, tremulous voice, "I have come to seeyou on a very important matter. I've been waiting to see you allevening--and as I shall be here only a short time longer I--want to askyon a great favour--perhaps the greatest you were ever asked--I want toask you for mercy--for mercy to--"
She stopped and glanced nervously at him, but she saw he was paying noattention to what she was saying. He was puffing heavily at his cigar,entirely preoccupied with his own thoughts. Her sudden silence arousedhim. He apologized:
"Oh, excuse me--I didn't quite catch what you were saying."
She said nothing, wondering what had happened to render him soabsent-minded. He read the question in her face, for, turning towardsher, he exclaimed:
"For the first time in my life I am face to face with defeat--defeat ofthe most ignominious kind--incapacity--inability to regulate my owninternal affairs. I can rule a government, but I can't manage my ownfamily--my own son. I'm a failure. Tell me," he added, appealing toher, "why can't I rule my own household, why can't I govern my ownchild?"
"Why can't you govern yourself?" said Shirley quietly.
Ryder looked keenly at her for a moment without answering her question;then, as if prompted by a sudden inspiration, he said:
"You can help me, but not by preaching at me. This is the first time inmy life I ever called on a living soul for help. I'm only accustomed todeal with men. This time there's a woman in the case--and I need yourwoman's wit--"
"How can I help you?" asked Shirley.
"I don't know," he answered with suppressed excitement. "As I told you,I am up against a blank wall. I can't see my way." He gave a nervouslittle laugh and went on: "God! I'm ashamed of myself--ashamed! Did youever read the fable of the Lion and the Mouse? Well, I want you to gnawwith your sharp woman's teeth at the cords which bind the son of JohnBurkett Ryder to this Rossmore woman. I want you to be the mouse--toset me free of this disgraceful entanglement."
"How? asked Shirley calmly.
"Ah, that's just it--how?" he replied. "Can't you think--you're awoman--you have youth, beauty--brains." He stopped and eyed her closelyuntil she reddened from the embarrassing scrutiny. Then he blurted out:"By George! marry him yourself--force him to let go of this otherwoman! Why not? Come, what do you say?"
This unexpected suggestion came upon Shirley with all the force of aviolent shock. She immediately saw the falseness of her position. Thisman was asking for her hand for his son under the impression that shewas another woman. It would be dishonorable of her to keep up thedeception any longer. She passed her hand over her face to conceal herconfusion.
"You--you must give me time to think," she stammered. "Suppose I don'tlove your son--I should want something--something to compensate."
"Something to compensate?" echoed Ryder surprised and a littledisconcerted. "Why, the boy will inherit millions--I don't know howmany."
"No--no, not money," rejoined Shirley; "money only compensates thosewho love money. It's something else--a man's honour--a man's life! Itmeans nothing to you."
He gazed at her, not understanding. Full of his own project, he hadmind for nothing else. Ignoring therefore the question of compensation,whatever she might mean by that, he continued:
"You can win him if you make up your mind to. A woman with yourresources can blind him to any other woman."
"But if--he loves Judge Rossmore's daughter?" objected Shirley.
"It's for you to make him forget her--and you can," replied thefinancier confidently. "My desire is to separate him from this Rossmorewoman at any cost. You must help me." His sternness relaxed somewhatand his eyes rested on her kindly. "Do you know, I should be glad tothink you won't have to leave us. Mrs. Ryder has taken a fancy to you,and I myself shall miss you when you go."
"You ask me to be your son's wife and you know nothing of my family,"said Shirley.
"I know you--that is sufficient," he replied.
"No--no you don't," returned Shirley, "nor do you know your son. He hasmore constancy--more strength of character than you think--and far moreprinciple than you have."
"So much the greater the victory for you," he answered good humouredly.
"Ah," she said reproachfully, "you do not love your son."
"I do love him," replied Ryder warmly. "It's because I love him thatI'm such a fool in this matter. Don't you see that if he marries thisgirl it would separate us, and I should lose him. I don't want to losehim. If I welcomed her to my house it would make me the laughing-stockof all my friends and business associates. Come, will you join forceswith me?"
Shirley shook her head and was about to reply when the telephone bellrang. Ryder took up the receiver and spoke to the butler downstairs:
"Who's that? Judge Stott? Tell him I'm too busy to see anyone. What'sthat? A man's life at stake? What's that to do with me? Tell him--"
On hearing Stott's name, Shirley nearly betrayed herself. She turnedpale and half-started up from her chair. Something serious must havehappened to bring her father's legal adviser to the Ryder residence atsuch an hour! She thought he was in Washington. Could it be that theproceedings in the Senate were ended and the result known? She couldhardly conceal her anxiety, and instinctively she placed her hand onRyder's arm.
"No, Mr. Ryder, do see Judge Stott! You must see him. I know who he is.Your son has told me. Judge Stott is one of Judge Rossmore's advisers.See him. You may find out something about the girl. You may find outwhere she is. If Jefferson finds out you have refused to see herfather's friend at such a critical time it will only make himsympathize more deeply with the Rossmores, and you know sympathy isakin to love. That's what you want to avoid, isn't it?"
Ryder still held the telephone, hesitating what to do. What she saidsounded like good sense.
"Upon my word--" he said. "You may be right and yet--"
"Am I to help you or not?" demanded Shirley. "You said you wanted awoman's wit."
"Yes," said Ryder, "but still--"
"Then you had better see him," she said emphatically.
Ryder turned to the telephone.
"Hello, Jorkins, are you there? Show Judge Stott up here." He laid thereceiver do
wn and turned again to Shirley. "That's one thing I don'tlike about you," he said. "I allow you to decide against me and then Iagree with you." She said nothing and he went on looking at heradmiringly. "I predict that you'll bring that boy to your feet within amonth. I don't know why, but I seem to feel that he is attracted to youalready. Thank Heaven! you haven't a lot of troublesome relations. Ithink you said you were almost alone in the world. Don't look soserious," he added laughing. "Jeff is a fine fellow, and believe me anexcellent catch as the world goes."
Shirley raised her hand as if entreating him to desist.
"Oh, don't--don't--please! My position is so false! You don't know howfalse it is!" she cried.
At that instant the library door was thrown open and the butlerappeared, ushering in Stott. The lawyer looked anxious, and hisdishevelled appearance indicated that he had come direct from thetrain. Shirley scanned his face narrowly in the hope that she mightread there what had happened. He walked right past her, giving no signof recognition, and advanced direct towards Ryder, who had risen andremained standing at his desk.
"Perhaps I had better go?" ventured Shirley, although tortured byanxiety to hear the news from Washington.
"No," said Ryder quickly, "Judge Stott will detain me but a very fewmoments."
Having delivered himself of this delicate hint, he looked towards hisvisitor as if inviting him to come to the point as rapidly as possible.
"I must apologize for intruding at this unseemly hour, sir," saidStott, "but time is precious. The Senate meets to-morrow to vote. Ifanything is to be done for Judge Rossmore it must be done to-night."
"I fail to see why you address yourself to me in this matter, sir,"replied Ryder with asperity.
"As Judge Rossmore's friend and counsel," answered Stott, "I amimpelled to ask your help at this critical moment."
"The matter is in the hands of the United States Senate, sir," repliedRyder coldly.
"They are against him!" cried Stott; "not one senator I've spoken toholds out any hope for him. If he is convicted it will mean his death.Inch by inch his life is leaving him. The only thing that can save himis the good news of the Senate's refusal to find him guilty."
Stott was talking so excitedly and loudly that neither he nor Ryderheard the low moan that came from the corner of the room where Shirleywas standing listening.
"I can do nothing," repeated Ryder coldly, and he turned his back andbegan to examine some papers lying on his desk as if to notify thecaller that the interview was ended. But Stott was not so easilydiscouraged. He went on:
"As I understand it, they will vote on strictly party lines, and theparty in power is against him. He's a marked man. You have the power tohelp him." Heedless of Ryder's gesture of impatience he continued:"When I left his bedside to-night, sir, I promised to return to himwith good news; I have told him that the Senate ridicules the chargesagainst him. I must return to him with good news. He is very illto-night, sir." He halted for a moment and glanced in Shirley'sdirection, and slightly raising his voice so she might hear, he added:"If he gets worse we shall send for his daughter."
"Where is his daughter?" demanded Ryder, suddenly interested.
"She is working in her father's interests," replied Stott, and, headded significantly, "I believe with some hope of success."
He gave Shirley a quick, questioning look. She nodded affirmatively.Ryder, who had seen nothing of this by-play, said with a sneer:
"Surely you didn't come here to-night to tell me this?"
"No, sir, I did not." He took from his pocket two letters--the twowhich Shirley had sent him--and held them out for Ryder's inspection."These letters from Judge Rossmore to you," he said, "show you to beacquainted with the fact that he bought those shares as aninvestment--and did not receive them as a bribe."
When he caught sight of the letters and he realized what they were,Ryder changed colour. Instinctively his eyes sought the drawer on theleft-hand side of his desk. In a voice that was unnaturally calm, heasked:
"Why don't you produce them before the Senate?"
"It was too late," explained Stott, handing them to the financier. "Ireceived them only two days ago. But if you come forward and declare--"
Ryder made an effort to control himself.
"I'll do nothing of the kind. I refuse to move in the matter. That isfinal. And now, sir," he added, raising his voice and pointing to theletters, "I wish to know how comes it that you had in your possessionprivate correspondence addressed to me?"
"That I cannot answer," replied Stott promptly.
"From whom did you receive these letters?" demanded Ryder.
Stott was dumb, while Shirley clutched at her chair as if she wouldfall. The financier repeated the question.
"I must decline to answer," replied Stott finally.
Shirley left her place and came slowly forward. Addressing Ryder, shesaid:
"I wish to make a statement."
The financier gazed at her in astonishment. What could she know aboutit, he wondered, and he waited with curiosity to hear what she wasgoing to say. But Stott instantly realized that she was about to takethe blame upon herself, regardless of the consequences to the successof their cause. This must be prevented at all hazards, even if anothermust be sacrificed, so interrupting her he said hastily to Ryder:
"Judge Rossmore's life and honour are at stake and no false sense ofdelicacy must cause the failure of my object to save him. These letterswere sent to me by--your son."
"From my son'" exclaimed Ryder, starting. For a moment he staggered asif he had received a blow; he was too much overcome to speak or act.Then recovering himself, he rang a bell, and turned to Stott withrenewed fury:
"So," he cried, "this man, this judge whose honour is at stake and hisdaughter, who most likely has no honour at stake, between them havemade a thief and a liar of my son! false to his father, false to hisparty; and you, sir, have the presumption to come here and ask me tointercede for him!" To the butler, who entered, he said: "See if Mr.Jefferson is still in the house. If he is, tell him I would like to seehim here at once."
The man disappeared, and Ryder strode angrily up and down the room withthe letters in his hand. Then, turning abruptly on Stott, he said:
"And now, sir, I think nothing more remains to be said. I shall keepthese letters, as they are my property."
"As you please. Good night, sir."
"Good night," replied Ryder, not looking up.
With a significant glance at Shirley, who motioned to him that shemight yet succeed where he had failed, Stott left the room. Ryderturned to Shirley. His fierceness of manner softened down as headdressed the girl:
"You see what they have done to my son--"
"Yes," replied Shirley, "it's the girl's fault. If Jefferson hadn'tloved her you would have helped the judge. Ah, why did they ever meet!She has worked on his sympathy and he--he took these letters for hersake, not to injure you. Oh, you must make some allowance for him!One's sympathy gets aroused in spite of oneself; even I feel sorryfor--these people."
"Don't," replied Ryder grimly, "sympathy is often weakness. Ah, thereyou are!" turning to Jefferson, who entered the room at that moment.
"You sent for me, father?"
"Yes," said Ryder, Sr., holding up the letters. "Have you ever seenthese letters before?"
Jefferson took the letters and examined them, then he passed them backto his father and said frankly:
"Yes, I took them out of your desk and sent them to Mr. Stott in thehope they would help Judge Rossmore's case."
Ryder restrained himself from proceeding to actual violence only withthe greatest difficulty. His face grew white as death, his lips werecompressed, his hands twitched convulsively, his eyes flasheddangerously. He took another cigar to give the impression that he hadhimself well under control, but the violent trembling of his hands ashe lit it betrayed the terrific strain he was under.
"So!" he said, "you deliberately sacrificed my interests to save thiswoman's father--you hear him,
Miss Green? Jefferson, my boy, I thinkit's time you and I had a final accounting."
Shirley made a motion as if about to withdraw. He stopped her with agesture.
"Please don't go, Miss Green. As the writer of my biography you aresufficiently well acquainted with my family affairs to warrant yourbeing present at the epilogue. Besides, I want an excuse for keeping mytemper. Sit down, Miss Green."
Turning to Jefferson, he went on:
"For your mother's sake, my boy, I have overlooked your littleeccentricities of character. But now we have arrived at the parting ofthe ways--you have gone too far. The one aspect of this business Icannot overlook is your willingness to sell your own father for thesake of a woman."
"My own father," interrupted Jefferson bitterly, "would not hesitate tosell me if his business and political interests warranted thesacrifice!"
Shirley attempted the role of peacemaker. Appealing to the younger man,she said:
"Please don't talk like that, Mr. Jefferson." Then she turned to Ryder,Sr.: "I don't think your son quite understands you, Mr. Ryder, and, ifyou will pardon me, I don't think you quite understand him. Do yourealize that there is a man's life at stake--that Judge Rossmore isalmost at the point of death and that favourable news from the Senateto-morrow is perhaps the only thing that can save him?"
"Ah, I see," sneered Ryder, Sr. "Judge Stott's story has aroused yoursympathy."
"Yes, I--I confess my sympathy is aroused. I do feel for this fatherwhose life is slowly ebbing away--whose strength is being sapped hourlyby the thought of the disgrace--the injustice that is being done him! Ido feel for the wife of this suffering man!"
"Ah, its a complete picture!" cried Ryder mockingly. "The dying father,the sorrowing mother--and the daughter, what is she supposed to bedoing?"
"She is fighting for her father's life," cried Shirley, "and you, Mr.Jefferson, should have pleaded--pleaded--not demanded. It's no usetrying to combat your father's will."
"She is quite right, father I should have implored you. I do so now. Iask you for God's sake to help us!"
Ryder was grim and silent. He rose from his seat and paced the room,puffing savagely at his cigar. Then he turned and said:
"His removal is a political necessity. If he goes back on the benchevery paltry justice of the peace, every petty official will think hehas a special mission to tear down the structure that hard work andcapital have erected. No, this man has been especially conspicuous inhis efforts to block the progress of amalgamated interests."
"And so he must be sacrificed?" cried Shirley indignantly.
"He is a meddlesome man," insisted Ryder "and--"
"He is innocent of the charges brought against him," urged Jefferson.
"Mr. Ryder is not considering that point," said Shirley bitterly. "Allhe can see is that it is necessary to put this poor old man in thepublic pillory, to set him up as a warning to others of his class notto act in accordance with the principles of Truth and Justice--not todare to obstruct the car of Juggernaut set in motion by the money godsof the country!"
"It's the survival of the fittest, my dear," said Ryder coldly.
"Oh!" cried Shirley, making a last appeal to the financier's heart ofstone, "use your great influence with this governing body for good, notevil! Urge them to vote not in accordance with party policy andpersonal interest, but in accordance with their consciences--inaccordance with Truth and Justice! Ah, for God's sake, Mr. Ryder! don'tpermit this foul injustice to blot the name of the highest tribunal inthe Western world!"
Ryder laughed cynically.
"By Jove! Jefferson, I give you credit for having secured an eloquentadvocate!"
"Suppose," went on Shirley, ignoring his taunting comments, "supposethis daughter promises that she will never--never see your sonagain--that she will go away to some foreign country!"
"No!" burst in Jefferson, "why should she? If my father is not manenough to do a simple act of justice without bartering a woman'shappiness and his son's happiness, let him find comfort in hisself-justification!"
Shirley, completely unnerved, made a move towards the door, unablelonger to bear the strain she was under. She tottered as though shewould fall. Ryder made a quick movement towards his son and took him bythe arm. Pointing to Shirley he said in a low tone:
"You see how that girl pleads your cause for you! She loves you, myboy!" Jefferson started. "Yes, she does," pursued Ryder, Sr. "She'sworth a thousand of the Rossmore woman. Make her your wife and I'll--"
"Make her my wife!" cried Jefferson joyously. He stared at his parentas if he thought he had suddenly been bereft of his senses.
"Make her my wife?" he repeated incredulously.
"Well, what do you say?" demanded Ryder, Sr.
The young man advanced towards Shirley, hands outstretched.
"Yes, yes, Shir--Miss Green, will you?" Seeing that Shirley made nosign, he said: "Not now, father; I will speak to her later."
"No, no, to-night, at once!" insisted Ryder. Addressing Shirley, hewent on: "Miss Green, my son is much affected by your disinterestedappeal in his behalf. He--he--you can save him from himself--my sonwishes you--he asks you to become his wife! Is it not so, Jefferson?"
"Yes, yes, my wife!" advancing again towards Shirley.
The girl shrank back in alarm.
"No, no, no, Mr. Ryder, I cannot, I cannot!" she cried.
"Why not?" demanded Ryder, Sr. appealingly. "Ah, don't--don't decidehastily--"
Shirley, her face set and drawn and keen mental distress showing inevery line of it, faced the two men, pale and determined. The time hadcome to reveal the truth. This masquerade could go on no longer. It wasnot honourable either to her father or to herself. Her self-respectdemanded that she inform the financier of her true identity.
"I cannot marry your son with these lies upon my lips!" she cried. "Icannot go on with this deception. I told you you did not know who Iwas, who my people were. My story about them, my name, everything aboutme is false, every word I have uttered is a lie, a fraud, a cheat! Iwould not tell you now, but you trusted me and are willing to entrustyour son's future, your family honour in my keeping, and I can't keepback the truth from you. Mr. Ryder, I am the daughter of the man youhate. I am the woman your son loves. I am Shirley Rossmore!"
Ryder took his cigar from his lips and rose slowly to his feet.
"You? You?" he stammered.
"Yes--yes, I am the Rossmore woman! Listen, Mr. Ryder. Don't turn awayfrom me. Go to Washington on behalf of my father, and I promise you Iwill never see your son again--never, never!"
"Ah, Shirley!" cried Jefferson, "you don't love me!"
"Yes, Jeff, I do; God knows I do! But if I must break my own heart tosave my father I will do it."
"Would you sacrifice my happiness and your own?"
"No happiness can be built on lies, Jeff. We must build on truth or ourwhole house will crumble and fall. We have deceived your father, but hewill forgive that, won't you?" she said, appealing to Ryder, "and youwill go to Washington, you will save my father's honour, his life, youwill--?"
They stood face to face--this slim, delicate girl battling for herfather's life, arrayed against a cold-blooded, heartless, unscrupulousman, deaf to every impulse of human sympathy or pity. Since this womanhad deceived him, fooled him, he would deal with her as with everyoneelse who crossed his will. She laid her hand on his arm, pleading withhim. Brutally, savagely, he thrust her aside.
"No, no, I will not!" he thundered. "You have wormed yourself into myconfidence by means of lies and deceit. You have tricked me, fooled meto the very limit! Oh, it is easy to see how you have beguiled my soninto the folly of loving you! And you--you have the brazen effronteryto ask me to plead for your father? No! No! No! Let the law take itscourse, and now Miss Rossmore--you will please leave my house to-morrowmorning!"
Shirley stood listening to what he had to say, her face white, hermouth quivering. At last the crisis had come. It was a fight to thefinish between this man, the incarnation of cor
porate greed andherself, representing the fundamental principles of right and justice.She turned on him in a fury:
"Yes, I will leave your house to-night! Do you think I would remainanother hour beneath the roof of a man who is as blind to justice, asdeaf to mercy, as incapable of human sympathy as you are!"
She raised her voice; and as she stood there denouncing the man ofmoney, her eyes flashing and her head thrown back, she looked like someavenging angel defying one of the powers of Evil.
"Leave the room!" shouted Ryder, beside himself, and pointing to thedoor.
"Father!" cried Jefferson, starting forward to protect the girl heloved.
"You have tricked him as you have me!" thundered Ryder.
"It is your own vanity that has tricked you!" cried Shirleycontemptuously. "You lay traps for yourself and walk into them. Youcompel everyone around you to lie to you, to cajole you, to praise you,to deceive you! At least, you cannot accuse me of flattering you. Ihave never fawned upon you as you compel your family and your friendsand your dependents to do. I have always appealed to your better natureby telling you the truth, and in your heart you know that I am speakingthe truth now."
"Go!" he commanded.
"Yes, let us go, Shirley!" said Jefferson.
"No, Jeff, I came here alone and I'm going alone!"
"You are not. I shall go with you. I intend to make you my wife!"
Ryder laughed scornfully.
"No," cried Shirley. "Do you think I'd marry a man whose father is asdeep a discredit to the human race as your father is? No, I wouldn'tmarry the son of such a merciless tyrant! He refuses to lift his voiceto save my father. I refuse to marry his son!"
She turned on Ryder with all the fury of a tiger:
"You think if you lived in the olden days you'd be a Caesar or anAlexander. But you wouldn't! You'd be a Nero--a Nero! Sink myself-respect to the extent of marrying into your family!" she exclaimedcontemptuously. "Never! I am going to Washington without your aid. I amgoing to save my father if I have to go on my knees to every UnitedStates Senator. I'll go to the White House; I'll tell the Presidentwhat you are! Marry your son--no, thank you! No, thank you!"
Exhausted by the vehemence of her passionate outburst, Shirley hurriedfrom the room, leaving Ryder speechless, staring at his son.
CHAPTER XVI
When Shirley reached her rooms she broke down completely, she threwherself upon a sofa and burst into a fit of violent sobbing. After all,she was only a woman and the ordeal through which she had passed wouldhave taxed the strongest powers of endurance. She had borne upcourageously while there remained the faintest chance that she mightsucceed in moving the financier to pity, but now that all hopes in thatdirection were shattered and she herself had been ordered harshly fromthe house like any ordinary malefactor, the reaction set in, and shegave way freely to her long pent-up anguish and distress. Nothing nowcould save her father--not even this journey to Washington which shedetermined to take nevertheless, for, according to what Stott had said,the Senate was to take a vote that very night.
She looked at the time--eleven o'clock. She had told Mr. Ryder that shewould leave his house at once, but on reflection it was impossible fora girl alone to seek a room at that hour. It would be midnight beforeshe could get her things packed. No, she would stay under this hatedroof until morning and then take the first train to Washington. Therewas still a chance that the vote might be delayed, in which case shemight yet succeed in winning over some of the senators. She began togather her things together and was thus engaged when she heard a knockat her door.
"Who's there?" she called out.
"It's I," replied a familiar voice.
Shirley went to the door and opening it found Jefferson on thethreshold. He made no attempt to enter, nor did she invite him in. Helooked tired and careworn. "Of course, you're not going to-night?" heasked anxiously. "My father did not mean to-night."
"No, Jeff," she said wearily; "not to-night. It's a little too late. Idid not realize it. To-morrow morning, early."
He seemed reassured and held out his hand:
"Good-night, dearest--you're a brave girl. You made a splendid fight."
"It didn't do much good," she replied in a disheartened, listless way.
"But it set him thinking," rejoined Jefferson. "No one ever spoke to myfather like that before. It did him good. He's still marching up anddown the library, chewing the cud--"
Noticing Shirley's tired face and her eyes, with great black circlesunderneath, he stopped short.
"Now don't do any more packing to-night," he said. "Go to bed and inthe morning I'll come up and help you. Good night!"
"Good night, Jeff," she smiled.
He went downstairs, and after doing some more packing she went to bed.But it was hours before she got to sleep, and then she dreamed that shewas in the Senate Chamber and that she saw Ryder suddenly rise anddenounce himself before the astonished senators as a perjurer andtraitor to his country, while she returned to Massapequa with the gladnews that her father was acquitted.
Meantime, a solitary figure remained in the library, pacing to and frolike a lost soul in Purgatory. Mrs. Ryder had returned from the playand gone to bed, serenely oblivious of the drama in real life that hadbeen enacted at home, the servants locked the house up for the nightand still John Burkett Ryder walked the floor of his sanctum, and lateinto the small hours of the morning the watchman going his lonelyrounds, saw a light in the library and the restless figure of hisemployer sharply silhouetted against the white blinds.
For the first time in his life John Ryder realized that there wassomething in the world beyond Self. He had seen with his own eyes thesacrifice a daughter will make for the father she loves, and he askedhimself what manner of a man that father could be to inspire suchdevotion in his child. He probed into his own heart and conscience andreviewed his past career. He had been phenomenally successful, but hehad not been happy. He had more money than he knew what to do with, butthe pleasures of the domestic circle, which he saw other men enjoy, hadbeen denied to him. Was he himself to blame? Had his insensate cravingfor gold and power led him to neglect those other things in life whichcontribute more truly to man's happiness? In other words, was his lifea mistake? Yes, it was true what this girl charged, he had beenmerciless and unscrupulous in his dealings with his fellow man. It wastrue that hardly a dollar of his vast fortune had been honestly earned.It was true that it had been wrung from the people by fraud andtrickery. He had craved for power, yet now he had tasted it, what ahollow joy it was, after all! The public hated and despised him; evenhis so-called friends and business associates toadied to him merelybecause they feared him. And this judge--this father he had persecutedand ruined, what a better man and citizen he was, how much more worthyof a child's love and of the esteem of the world! What had JudgeRossmore done, after all, to deserve the frightful punishment theamalgamated interests had caused him to suffer? If he had blocked theirgame, he had done only what his oath, his duty commanded him to do.Such a girl as Shirley Rossmore could not have had any other kind of afather. Ah, if he had had such a daughter he might have been a betterman, if only to win his child's respect and affection. John Ryderpondered long and deeply and the more he ruminated the stronger theconviction grew upon him that the girl was right and he was wrong.Suddenly, he looked at his watch. It was one o'clock. Roberts had toldhim that it would be an all night session and that a vote wouldprobably not be taken until very late. He unhooked the telephone andcalling "central" asked for "long distance" and connection withWashington.
It was seven o'clock when the maid entered Shirley's room with herbreakfast and she found its occupant up and dressed.
"Why you haven't been to bed, Miss!" exclaimed the girl, looking at thebed in the inner room which seemed scarcely disturbed.
"No, Theresa I--I couldn't sleep." Hastily pouring out a cup of tea sheadded. "I must catch that nine o'clock train to Washington. I didn'tfinish packing until nearly three."
"Can I do anythi
ng for you, Miss?" inquired the maid. Shirley was aspopular with the servants as with the rest of the household.
"No," answered Shirley, "there are only a few, things to go in my suitcase. Will you please have a cab here in half an hour?"
The maid was about to go when she suddenly thought of something she hadforgotten. She held out an envelope which she had left lying on thetray.
"Oh, Miss, Mr. Jorkins said to give you this and master wanted to seeyou as soon as you had finished your breakfast."
Shirley tore open the envelope and took out the contents. It was acheque, payable to her order for $5,000 and signed "John Burkett Ryder."
A deep flush covered the girl's face as she saw the money--a flush ofannoyance rather than of pleasure. This man who had insulted her, whohad wronged her father, who had driven her from his home, thought hecould throw his gold at her and insolently send her her pay as onesettles haughtily with a servant discharged for impertinence. She wouldhave none of his money--the work she had done she would make him apresent of. She replaced the cheque in the envelope and passed it backto Theresa.
"Give this to Mr. Ryder and tell him I cannot see him."
"But Mr. Ryder said--" insisted the girl.
"Please deliver my message as I give it," commanded Shirley withauthority. "I cannot see Mr. Ryder."
The maid withdrew, but she had barely closed the door when it wasopened again and Mrs. Ryder rushed in, without knocking. She was allflustered with excitement and in such a hurry that she had not evenstopped to arrange her toilet.
"My dear Miss Green," she gasped; "what's this I hear--going awaysuddenly without giving me warning?"
"I wasn't engaged by the month," replied Shirley drily.
"I know, dear, I know. I was thinking of myself. I've grown so used toyou--how shall I get on without you--no one understands me the way youdo. Dear me! The whole house is upset. Mr. Ryder never went to bed atall last night. Jefferson is going away, too--forever, he threatens. Ifhe hadn't come and woke me up to say good-bye, I should never haveknown you intended to leave us. My boy's going--you'regoing--everyone's deserting me!"
Mrs. Ryder was not accustomed to such prolonged flights of oratory andshe sank exhausted on a chair, her eyes filling with tears.
"Did they tell you who I am--the daughter of Judge Rossmore?" demandedShirley.
It had been a shock to Mrs. Ryder that morning when Jefferson burstinto his mother's room before she was up and acquainted her with theevents of the previous evening. The news that the Miss Green whom shehad grown to love, was really the Miss Rossmore of whose relations withJefferson her husband stood in such dread, was far from affecting thefinancier's wife as it had Ryder himself. To the mother's simple andingenuous mind, free from prejudice and ulterior motive, the girl'scharacter was more important than her name, and certainly she could notblame her son for loving such a woman as Shirley. Of course, it wasunfortunate for Jefferson that his father felt this bitterness towardsJudge Rossmore, for she herself could hardly have wished for a moresympathetic daughter-in-law. She had not seen her husband since theprevious evening at dinner so was in complete ignorance as to what hethought of this new development, but the mother sighed as she thoughthow happy it would make her to see Jefferson happily married to thegirl of his own choice, and in her heart she still entertained the hopethat her husband would see it that way and thus prevent their son fromleaving them as he threatened.
"That's not your fault, my dear," she replied answering Shirley'squestion. "You are yourself--that's the main thing. You mustn't mindwhat Mr. Ryder says? Business and worry makes him irritable at times.If you must go, of course you must--you are the best judge of that, butJefferson wants to see you before you leave." She kissed Shirley inmotherly fashion, and added: "He has told me everything, dear. Nothingwould make me happier than to see you become his wife. He's downstairsnow waiting for me to tell him to come up."
"It's better that I should not see him," replied Shirley slowly andgravely. "I can only tell him what I have already told him. My fathercomes first. I have still a duty to perform."
"That's right, dear," answered Mrs. Ryder. "You're a good, noble girland I admire you all the more for it. I'll let Jefferson be his ownadvocate. You'll see him for my sake!"
She gave Shirley another affectionate embrace and left the room whilethe girl proceeded with her final preparations for departure. Presentlythere was a quick, heavy step in the corridor outside and Jeffersonappeared in the doorway. He stood there waiting for her to invite himin. She looked up and greeted him cordially, yet it was hardly the kindof reception he looked for or that he considered he had a right toexpect. He advanced sulkily into the room.
"Mother said she had put everything right," he began. "I guess she wasmistaken."
"Your mother does not understand, neither do you," she repliedseriously. "Nothing can be put right until my father is restored tohonour and position."
"But why should you punish me because my father fails to regard thematter as we do?" demanded Jefferson rebelliously.
"Why should I punish myself--why should we punish those nearest anddearest?" answered Shirley gently, "the victims of human injusticealways suffer where their loved ones are tortured. Why are things asthey are--I don't know. I know they are--that's all."
The young man strode nervously up and down the room while she gazedlistlessly out of the window, looking for the cab that was to carry heraway from this house of disappointment. He pleaded with her:
"I have tried honourably and failed--you have tried honourably andfailed. Isn't the sting of impotent failure enough to meet withoutstriving against a hopeless love?" He approached her and said softly:"I love you Shirley--don't drive me to desperation. Must I be punishedbecause you have failed? It's unfair. The sins of the fathers shouldnot be visited upon the children."
"But they are--it's the law," said Shirley with resignation.
"The law?" he echoed.
"Yes, the law," insisted the girl; "man's law, not God's, the sameunjust law that punishes my father--man's law which is put into thehands of the powerful of the earth to strike at the weak."
She sank into a chair and, covering up her face, wept bitterly. Betweenher sobs she cried brokenly:
"I believed in the power of love to soften your father's heart, Ibelieved that with God's help I could bring him to see the truth. Ibelieved that Truth and Love would make him see the light, but ithasn't. I stayed on and on, hoping against hope until the time has goneby and it's too late to save him, too late! What can I do now? My goingto Washington is a forlorn hope, a last, miserable, forlorn hope and inthis hour, the darkest of all, you ask me to think of myself--my love,your love, your happiness, your future, my future! Ah, wouldn't it besublime selfishness?"
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 surelyregret. You are punishing me not only because I have failed but becauseyou have failed too. It seems to me that if you believed it possible toaccomplish so much, if you had so much faith--that you have lost yourfaith rather quickly. I believed in nothing, I had no faith and yet Ihave not lost hope."
She shook her head and gently withdrew her hand.
"It is useless to insist, Jefferson--until my father is cleared of thisstain our lives--yours and mine--must lie apart."
Someone coughed and, startled, they both looked up. Mr. Ryder hadentered the room unobserved and stood watching them. Shirleyimmediately rose to her feet indignant, resenting this intrusion on herprivacy after she had declined to receive the financier. Yet, shereflected quickly, how could she prevent it? He was at home, free tocome and go as he pleased, but she was not compelled to remain in thesame room with him. She picked up the few things that lay about andwith a contemptuous toss of her head, retreated into the innerapartment, leaving father and son alone together.
"Hum," grunted Ryder, Sr. "I rather thought I should find you here, butI di
dn't quite expect to find you on your knees--dragging our pride inthe mud."
"That's where our pride ought to be," retorted Jefferson savagely. Hefelt in the humor to say anything, no matter what the consequences.
"So she has refused you again, eh?" said Ryder, Sr. with a grin.
"Yes," rejoined Jefferson with growing irritation, "she objects to myfamily. I don't blame her."
The financier smiled grimly as he answered:
"Your family in general--me in particular, eh? I gleaned that much whenI came in." He looked towards the door of the room in which Shirley hadtaken refuge and as if talking to himself he added: "A curious girlwith an inverted point of view--sees everything different to others--Iwant to see her before she goes."
He walked over to the door and raised his hand as if he were about toknock. Then he stopped as if he had changed his mind and turningtowards his son he demanded:
"Do you mean to say that she has done with you?"
"Yes," answered Jefferson bitterly.
"Finally?"
"Yes, finally--forever!"
"Does she mean it?" asked Ryder, Sr., sceptically.
"Yes--she will not listen to me while her father is still in peril."
There was an expression of half amusement, half admiration on thefinancier's face as he again turned towards the door.
"It's like her, damn it, just like her!" he muttered.
He knocked boldly at the door.
"Who's there?" cried Shirley from within.
"It is I--Mr. Ryder. I wish to speak to you."
"I must beg you to excuse me," came the answer, "I cannot see you."
Jefferson interfered.
"Why do you want to add to the girl's misery? Don't you think she hassuffered enough?"
"Do you know what she has done?" said Ryder with pretended indignation."She has insulted me grossly. I never was so humiliated in my life. Shehas returned the cheque I sent her last night in payment for her workon my biography. I mean to make her take that money. It's hers, sheneeds it, her father's a beggar. She must take it back. It's onlyflaunting her contempt for me in my face and I won't permit it."
"I don't think her object in refusing that money was to flaunt contemptin your face, or in any way humiliate you," answered Jefferson. "Shefeels she has been sailing under false colours and desires to make somereparation."
"And so she sends me back my money, feeling that will pacify me,perhaps repair the injury she has done me, perhaps buy me into enteringinto her plan of helping her father, but it won't. It only increases mydetermination to see her and her--" Suddenly changing the topic heasked: "When do you leave us?"
"Now--at once--that is--I--don't know," answered Jefferson embarrassed."The fact is my faculties are numbed--I seem to have lost my power ofthinking. Father," he exclaimed, "you see what a wreck you have made ofour lives!"
"Now, don't moralize," replied his father testily, "as if your ownselfishness in desiring to possess that girl wasn't the mainspring ofall your actions!" Waving his son out of the room he added: "Now leaveme alone with her for a few moments. Perhaps I can make her listen toreason."
Jefferson stared at his father as if he feared he were out of his mind.
"What do you mean? Are you--?" he ejaculated.
"Go--go leave her to me," commanded the financier. "Slam the door whenyou go out and she'll think we've both gone. Then come up againpresently."
The stratagem succeeded admirably. Jefferson gave the door a vigorouspull and John Ryder stood quiet, waiting for the girl to emerge fromsanctuary. He did not have to wait long. The door soon opened andShirley came out slowly. She had her hat on and was drawing on hergloves, for through her window she had caught a glimpse of the cabstanding at the curb. She started on seeing Ryder standing theremotionless, and she would have retreated had he not intercepted her.
"I wish to speak to you Miss--Rossmore," he began.
"I have nothing to say," answered Shirley frigidly.
"Why did you do this?" he asked, holding out the cheque.
"Because I do not want your money," she replied with hauteur.
"It was yours--you earned it," he said.
"No, I came here hoping to influence you to help my father. The work Idid was part of the plan. It happened to fall my way. I took it as ameans to get to your heart."
"But it is yours, please take it. It will be useful."
"No," she said scornfully, "I can't tell you how low I should fall inmy own estimation if I took your money! Money," she added, with ringingcontempt, "why, that's all there is to YOU! It's your god! Shall I makeyour god my god? No, thank you, Mr. Ryder!"
"Am I as bad as that?" he asked wistfully.
"You are as bad as that!" she answered decisively.
"So bad that I contaminate even good money?" He spoke lightly but shenoticed that he winced.
"Money itself is nothing," replied the girl, "it's the spirit thatgives it--the spirit that receives it, the spirit that earns it, thespirit that spends it. Money helps to create happiness. It also createsmisery. It's an engine of destruction when not properly used, itdestroys individuals as it does nations. It has destroyed you, for ithas warped your soul!"
"Go on," he laughed bitterly, "I like to hear you!"
"No, you don't, Mr. Ryder, no you don't, for deep down in your heartyou know that I am speaking the truth. Money and the power it givesyou, has dried up the well-springs of your heart."
He affected to be highly amused at her words, but behind the mask ofcallous indifference the man suffered. Her words seared him as with ared hot iron. She went on:
"In the barbaric ages they fought for possession, but they foughtopenly. The feudal barons fought for what they stole, but it was a fairfight. They didn't strike in the dark. At least, they gave a man achance for his life. But when you modern barons of industry don't likelegislation you destroy it, when you don't like your judges you removethem, when a competitor outbids you you squeeze him out of commercialexistence! You have no hearts, you are machines, and you are cowards,for you fight unfairly."
"It is not true, it is not true," he protested.
"It is true," she insisted hotly, "a few hours ago in cold blood youdoomed my father to what is certain death because you decided it was apolitical necessity. In other words he interfered with your personalinterests--your financial interests--you, with so many millions youcan't count them!" Scornfully she added: "Come out into thelight--fight in the open! At least, let him know who his enemy is!"
"Stop--stop--not another word," he cried impatiently, "you havediagnosed the disease. What of the remedy? Are you prepared toreconstruct human nature?"
Confronting each other, their eyes met and he regarded her withoutresentment, almost with tenderness. He felt strangely drawn towardsthis woman who had defied and accused him, and made him see the worldin a new light.
"I don't deny," he admitted reluctantly, "that things seem to be as youdescribe them, but it is part of the process of evolution."
"No," she protested, "it is the work of God!"
"It is evolution!" he insisted.
"Ah, that's it," she retorted, "you evolve new ideas, new schemes, newtricks--you all worship different gods--gods of your own making!"
He was about to reply when there was a commotion at the door andTheresa entered, followed by a man servant to carry down the trunk.
"The cab is downstairs, Miss," said the maid.
Ryder waved them away imperiously. He had something further to saywhich he did not care for servants to hear. Theresa and the manprecipitately withdrew, not understanding, but obeying with alacrity amaster who never brooked delay in the execution of his orders. Shirley,indignant, looked to him for an explanation.
"You don't need them," he exclaimed with a quiet smile in which was ashade of embarrassment. "I--I came here to tell you that I--" Hestopped as if unable to find words, while Shirley gazed at him in utterastonishment. "Ah," he went on finally, "you have made it very hard forme to speak." Again
he paused and then with an effort he said slowly:"An hour ago I had Senator Roberts on the long distance telephone, andI'm going to Washington. It's all right about your father. The matterwill be dropped. You've beaten me. I acknowledge it. You're the firstliving soul who ever has beaten John Burkett Ryder."
Shirley started forward with a cry of mingled joy and surprise. Couldshe believe her ears? Was it possible that the dreaded Colossus hadcapitulated and that she had saved her father? Had the forces of rightand justice prevailed, after all? Her face transfigured, radiant sheexclaimed breathlessly:
"What, Mr. Ryder, you mean that you are going to help my father?"
"Not for his sake--for yours," he answered frankly.
Shirley hung her head. In her moment of triumph, she was sorry for allthe hard things she had said to this man. She held out her hand to him.
"Forgive me," she said gently, "it was for my father. I had no faith. Ithought your heart was of stone."
Impulsively Ryder drew her to him, he clasped her two hands in his andlooking down at her kindly he said, awkwardly:
"So it was--so it was! You accomplished the miracle. It's the firsttime I've acted on pure sentiment. Let me tell you something. Goodsentiment is bad business and good business is bad sentiment--that'swhy a rich man is generally supposed to have such a hard time gettinginto the Kingdom of Heaven." He laughed and went on, "I've given tenmillions apiece to three universities. Do you think I'm fool enough tosuppose I can buy my way? But that's another matter. I'm going toWashington on behalf of your father because I--want you to marry myson. Yes, I want you in the family, close to us. I want your respect,my girl. I want your love. I want to earn it. I know I can't buy it.There's a weak spot in every man's armour and this is mine--I alwayswant what I can't get and I can't get your love unless I earn it."
Shirley remained pensive. Her thoughts were out on Long Island, atMassapequa. She was thinking of their joy when they heard the news--herfather, her mother and Stott. She was thinking of the future, brightand glorious with promise again, now that the dark clouds were passingaway. She thought of Jefferson and a soft light came into her eyes asshe foresaw a happy wifehood shared with him.
"Why so sober," demanded Ryder, "you've gained your point, your fatheris to be restored to you, you'll marry the man you love?"
"I'm so happy!" murmured Shirley. "I don't deserve it. I had no faith."
Ryder released her and took out his watch.
"I leave in fifteen minutes for Washington," he said. "Will you trustme to go alone?"
"I trust you gladly," she answered smiling at him. "I shall always begrateful to you for letting me convert you."
"You won me over last night," he rejoined, "when you put up that fightfor your father. I made up my mind that a girl so loyal to her fatherwould be loyal to her husband. You think," he went on, "that I do notlove my son--you are mistaken. I do love him and I want him to behappy. I am capable of more affection than people think. It is WallStreet," he added bitterly, "that has crushed all sentiment out of me."
Shirley laughed nervously, almost hysterically.
"I want to laugh and I feel like crying," she cried. "What willJefferson say--how happy he will be!"
"How are you going to tell him?" inquired Ryder uneasily.
"I shall tell him that his dear, good father has relented and--"
"No, my dear," he interrupted, "you will say nothing of the sort. Idraw the line at the dear, good father act. I don't want him to thinkthat it comes from me at all."
"But," said Shirley puzzled, "I shall have to tell him that you--"
"What?" exclaimed Ryder, "acknowledge to my son that I was in thewrong, that I've seen the error of my ways and wish to repent? Excuseme," he added grimly, "it's got to come from him. He must see the errorof HIS ways."
"But the error of his way," laughed the girl, "was falling in love withme. I can never prove to him that that was wrong!"
The financier refused to be convinced. He shook his head and saidstubbornly:
"Well, he must be put in the wrong somehow or other! Why, my dearchild," he went on, "that boy has been waiting all his life for anopportunity to say to me: 'Father, I knew I was in the right, and Iknew you were wrong.' Can't you see," he asked, "what a false positionit places me in? Just picture his triumph!"
"He'll be too happy to triumph," objected Shirley.
Feeling a little ashamed of his attitude, he said:
"I suppose you think I'm very obstinate." Then, as she made no reply,he added: "I wish I didn't care what you thought."
Shirley looked at him gravely for a moment and then she repliedseriously:
"Mr. Ryder, you're a great man--you're a genius--your life is full ofaction, energy, achievement. But it appears to be only the good, thenoble and the true that you are ashamed of. When your money triumphsover principle, when your political power defeats the ends of justice,you glory in your victory. But when you do a kindly, generous, fatherlyact, when you win a grand and noble victory over yourself, you areashamed of it. It was a kind, generous impulse that has prompted you tosave my father and take your son and myself to your heart. Why are youashamed to let him see it? Are you afraid he will love you? Are youafraid I shall love you? Open your heart wide to us--let us love you."
Ryder, completely vanquished, opened his arms and Shirley sprangforward and embraced him as she would have embraced her own father. Asolitary tear coursed down the financier's cheek. In thirty years hehad not felt, or been touched by, the emotion of human affection.
The door suddenly opened and Jefferson entered. He started on seeingShirley in his father's arms.
"Jeff, my boy," said the financier, releasing Shirley and putting herhand in his son's, "I've done something you couldn't do--I've convincedMiss Green--I mean Miss Rossmore--that we are not so bad after all!"
Jefferson, beaming, grasped his father's hand.
"Father!" he exclaimed.
"That's what I say--father!" echoed Shirley.
They both embraced the financier until, overcome with emotion, Ryder,Sr., struggled to free himself and made his escape from the room crying:
"Good-bye, children--I'm off for Washington!"
THE END
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