The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-17
The Crime Of The Century :
CHAPTER XIV.
PERDITA.

ed. Lillian sat in the chair and crOOned
over her baby, apparently oblivious of
those who stood near her.
when you brought this girl here,
did you think she was the baby's moth
er?' asked Colonel Payton.
81 thought So" said Mr.. Mitchell,
'but l was not sure. She denied it.
Therefore | brought the mother and
child together, relying upon the in
stincts of nature to reveal the truth.
There is yet much to be explained,
however"
"AIuch to be explained" cried the
colonel. 81 should say so. She will
have to explain why she abandoned
the child, and she must explain it be-
fore a jury too.'
Before jury? What do you mean?''
81 mean that | will have her detained
here until the authorities are Informed
of what has taken place Then she
must go to prison. l have no doubt
that with your assistance she will be
indicted by the grand jury"
''Oh. indeed! But you will not have
my assistance"
You mean you will not testify
against her. Well, we'll. You are a
poor citizen. You hesitate to do your
duty. deferred by pretty face. If all
men We're like you, crime would go
unpublished
You are quite correct, colonel. If all
men shared my views, the punishment
of crime would be abolished"
Bah. 1t makes me sick to hear a
man of your brains indulge in such
mawkish sentimentality. You allow
your senses to be led astray by wom-
ans pretty face. This woman has COM
mitted crime, and she must suffer
the consequences. You are new at this
sort of thing, but am an old hand. |
know my duty
"And you think it is your duty to
punish this child?'
why, no-not the child, but the
mother" The colonel did not quite
comprehend Mr.. MitchePs meaning.
The latter therefore added
"Ah. but the mother is herself a
childw
"Oh. l see what you mean. But
youth is no excuse in a case of this
kind"
"Then you are determined to have
her punished?"
'1t is my duty to see that the law is
carried OUT
But why?"
Because she has committed a
crime"
What evidence have you of that?"
"Why. did she not admit that the
child is hers?"
Yes, but that does not prove that
she abandoned it,
"Why, who else could have done it?"
"Why not the father? Fathers have
done such things, have they not? Did
you never hear of such case?'
The subject evidently was distaste-
full to the colonel, and, besides, it was
ever his habit when he found himself
worsted in an argument to bring the
conversation to an abrupt close, as he
endeavored to do now.
That's most unlikely" said he.
Anyway | leave the proof to the dis
trict attorney. 1t is none of my bust
ness"
You are mistaken. 1t is exactly
your business to learn the truth before
you blast this young girls future by
bringing such charge against her.
IL VIII Go no harm to question her.
Will you listen to her replies while /
talk with herr"
"Oh, haven't doubt that the lies
will roll off her glib tongue faster than
we could write them down, But YOU
are determined to have your own way.
suppose, so fire away. You're a
crank, Mitchell; that's what you are. q
crank"
Mr.. Mitchell approached Lillian, who
was still busy playing with her baby
and talking in low tone with the
matron, who sympathized with the
pretty young mother. Touching her
gently on the shoulder to attract her
attention, he said:
$50 it is your baby after all?"
'Oh, yes. | am so surprised. How
did she get here?'
DID L not tell you? She was found
crawling among the tombstones in an
old graveyard down town."
You mean that was a real story
you told me? And it was my baby?
| don't understand it all. What does
it mean?'
She gazed at him appealingly, per-
picked beyond measure, and Mr..
Mitchell felt assured of her sincerity.
but the colonel sneered and said:
you stated that she is an actress
did you not? She plays her part very
we'll. quite an innocent, is she not?'
Mr.. Mitchell did not seem to notice
the cruel speech, but again addressed
Lillian.
Eyes, it was all true, as / told Won
the story. You remember, you asked
me who could have placed the child
there"
Eyes, and you said you suspected the
father. But, if you were talking about
my baby, then you are wrong. Mat
thew never would have done such
thing, never, never, never!
"You mean Matthew Crane?"
Eyes; but you said you know him.
Why do you call him that?'
You mean l ought to call him JIM"