se for
keeping my temper. Sit down, Miss Green."

Turning to Jefferson, he went on:

"For your mother's sake, my boy, I have overlooked your little
eccentricities of character. But now we have arrived at the
parting of the ways--you have gone too far. The one aspect of this
business I cannot overlook is your willingness to sell, your own
father for the sake of a woman."

"My own father," interrupted Jefferson bitterly, "would not
hesitate to sell me if his business and political interests
warranted the sacrifice!"

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, if you will pardon me, I don't think you quite
understand him. Do you realize that there is a man's life at
stake--that Judge Rossmore is almost at the point of death and
that favourable news from the Senate to-morrow is perhaps the only
thing that can save him?"

"Ah, I see," sneered Ryder, Sr. "Judge Stott's story has aroused
your sympathy."

"Yes, I--I confess my sympathy is aroused. I do feel for this
father whose life is slowly ebbing away--whose strength is being
sapped hourly by the thought of the disgrace--the injustice that
is being done him! I do 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 be doing?"

"She is fighting for her father's life," cried Shirley, "and you,
Mr. Jefferson, should have pleaded--pleaded--not demanded. It's no
use trying to combat your father's will."

"She is quite right, father. I should have implored you. I do so
now. I ask 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
bench every paltry justice of the peace, every petty official will
think he has a special mission to tear down the structure that
hard work and capital have erected. No, this man has been
especially conspicuous in his 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