The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1900-07-27
CHAPTER XIV.
pERDlTA.

PERDITA.
Colonel Payton observed this scene
In great surprise, while Mr.. Mitchell
only smiled, the denouempnt OF his
experiment being what he had expect.
cd. Lillian sat in the chair and crooncd
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
erT asked Colonel payton.
Il 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"
much to be explainedw cried the
colonel. 81 should say so. She will
have to explain why she abandoned
the child, and she must explain it be-
fore jury too.'
Before jury? What do you mcan?"
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
ooh, indeed! But you will not have
my assistance"
You mean you will not testify
against her. Well, we'll! You are n
poor citizen. You hesitate to do your
duty, deferred by pretty face. If all
men were like you, crime would go
unpunished."
You are quite correct, colonel. If NIL
men shared my views, the punishment
of crime would be abolished"
bah! 1t makes me sick to hear n
man OF your brains indulge in such
mawkish sentimcntality. You allow
your senses to be led astray by WON.
ans pretty face. This woman has com.
mitted n 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 1t Is your duty to
punish this child"
"Why, no-not the child, but the
mother" The colonel did not quite
comprehend Mr.. Mitchers meaning
The latter therefore added:
"Ah. but the mother Is herself 4
child"
"Oh! l see what you mean. But
youth Is no excuse In q 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 wbyY'
Because she has committed n
crime"
"What evidence have you Of that?"
child is hers?"
Yes, but that does not prove that
she abandoned it."
"Why, who else could have done 1t ~
"Why not the father? Fathers have
done such things. have they not? Did
you never hear Of such a caseW
The subject evidently was distaste-
full to the colonel, and, besides, 1t was
ever his habit when he found himself
worsted in an argument to bring the
conversation to IN abrupt close, as he
endeavored to do now.
"That's most unlikely" said he.
Anyway l leave the proof to the dis
trict attorney. 1t Is none Of my busi-
| 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.
1t will do no harm to question her.
Will you listen to her replies while j
talk with herr"
"Oh, l 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,
| I suppose, so fire away. You're a
crank, Mitchell; that's what you are, a
| crank"
Mr.. Mitchell approached Lillian. who
was still busy playing with her baby
| and talking In a low tone witt the
matron. who sympathized with the
| pretty young mother. Touching her
| gently on the shoulder to attract her
attention, he said:
$50 1t Is your baby after allT'
ooh, yes am 80 surprised. How
did she get hereT