The record-union., 1897-07-26

that she didn't play US trick. She's
back now, but without any money. I'm
all in stew over it,
who came with you when you ap-
piled for place here?" was one Of the
questions asked of No. 20 by the su-
perintendent a little later.
Nobody; but Mrs. Green, where l
live, gave. me a reference" the girl re-
piled. She was pale, and the despair
ing apathy in her face and figure ap-
pealed to the man of business.
Tell me about this money" he said,
in a somewhat gentler tone.
Miss Norden gave me 81 and a silk
waist 10 take to the exchange desk
1t was will CALI check. Then some
body out Of the sewing room gave me
a block of ribbon to take back to the
ribbon counter
DO you remember my speaking to
you when you dropped the ribbon: Did
you have the money then?"
Yes: in this pocket" pulling her
jacket round to show it.
What made you put it in your
pocket?"
Il had it in my hand while I waited
for the elevator, and then 1 was afraid
I would drop it, so 1 put it into my
pocket"
What do you think became of it?''
81 think it fell out or somebody took
it out. When 1 got to the exchange
room and found it wasn't in my pock-
ct, 1 was astonished'
do you remember what sort of bills
were given you?"
There We're four 81 bills. I know
that two of them had the picture Of the
woman with her arm around the boy
on them, and one of the others had
only a mans face. l don't know what
the other bill had on it,
DO you know that you are accused
of stealing this money!
A sort of trenor passed over the
slight form, but the gray eye that met
the superintendent keen gaze did not
falter.
"Yes, I know: but 1 didn't take it.
wouldn't steal"
Mr.. Random drummed idly on his
desk with his pencil.
''You will have to make up this mon
ey." he said; but not all at once. You
will pay 20 cents each week until 1t IS
all paid"
And won't I lose my placer" draw
ing a sharp breath, as though a weight
had been lifted from her shoulders.
mo; but 1 shall send to this Wo-
man you live with and get definite
word again as to your character ana
surroundings. It's a mere matter OF
FORM" he added, noticing her change
of expression; but it will clear you
of any suspicion that the store people
may hold you in"
MIR. Random was startled at the ner-
vous dread that awakened in the eyes
resting on his.
"Oh." said the girl, with a quick, i'm
pulsive gesture, don't send to Mrs:
Green"
The little old face was eager enough
now. There was no sign of apathy IN
the lines of the shabby figure. Two viva
snots burned in the cheeks. When the
Superintendent spoke again his voice
was stern.
Are you afraid that your assertions
as to character might not be porne out:
he asked coldly.
No Yes" stammered the girl
please don't send. =
There was an uncomfortable scene in
the office. Sadie Martin had tainted.
x
cit goes hard with me to break my
word to her. but maybe you ought to
know" Mrs Green was saying to the
detective from z. & LIS store, who had
called to see whether the sick girl had
best be sent home or to the hospital.
Mrs. Green stood at her ironing board,
and the white frill she was smoothing
out came very near being scorched in
her excitement.
Ought to know what?" asked Miss
Seligman, her face alive with interest.
rs the girls character not good"
Character not good?" echoed Mrs.
Green, pausing with her iron uplifted in
the air. I'll show you. Yes. I'll let
the cat out of the bag. Sometimes L
think that girl amt made out of ordi-
nary flesh and blood, to stand what she
stands and never speak. tell you,
miss. what it is. If these here mission
house folks knew all what I know. and
all what I see and all what 1 hear mot
one day or one month, but goin' on now
most a year,. they'd call it-I beg par
don if it's not religious, but they'd call
it cricufyin'. No nails driving in flesh
ever hurt much worse, or longer"
What do you mean?" was asked as
stout Mrs. Green paused for breath.
Il means this, ma am. I mean being
beat and banged about, and sleepin'
down in the yard, on damp paving
stones. on nights cold enough to freeze
the marrow in your bones, and goln'
without enough food, and wearing leaky
shoes in sloppy weather, and making out
as you likes to do them kind of things.
means
Are you speaking of Sadie?" inter
r11pted Miss Seligman, bewiIdered by the
tide of words
You're right, I is.'' exclaimed the wo-
man. Sick. is she? Likely to stay sick
awhile? Faintin' in offices and arrested
fol stealing? Come this way and you'll
understand better than 1 can tell it to
YOU. Don't you children come" (to the
Youngsters who crowded forward as she
orened the door).
When the door of an inner back room,
across the narrow passageway, was
flung open, Sadie's secret was revealed.
A general dinginess and dulness distin-
guished the box-like apartment. What
furniture there was was shabby. The
stove looked as if about to topple over
and as if even the mildest kind of polish
would be a surprise. The cracked panes
of the one window looked out on solid
lead -colored wall not three feet away.
Whatever light there was, was concen-
trated on the fantastic figure by the
window, an elderly woman, in be-
draggled gown. with gay artificial flow
ers stuck in her thick gray hair. Other
! u lnx