Evening star., 1901-03-02

James liked this AID that, Mary couldn't
be satisfied. She wanted something better.
useful. and Grahanf, beihg good-hearted
man and knowing Mary Wen and the trou-
BILE she had. HUNDRED her all he could
brought out watches ands rings and knives
and spoons till the counter was thick be-
fore her Would this d6?' says Graham;
'or would this?' 'Nos says Mary: 1t won't
AT last she settles on silver locket chat
being her woman's way) hands it to James.
puts down five shllings to pay for it. then,
just as Graham stoeps to open the till, slips
a watch from the counter beneath her
shawl. turns and walks out. In second
the thing was done; and there the two
were out again on the pavement.
well, sir, half an hour afterward. be the
time more or less, Mary and James were
sitting with few friends IN Mangan's par
of police comes to the door, crooks his
finger at James, and asks the favor Of
word with him. 1t was just this. says the
on the pavement, a robbery had been COM
mitted in GrahamS shop. Well says
James, stiffening his back. Half an hour
ago, the sergeant goes on, watch was
taken from Grahams counter. Well says
James again, with snort. He made no ac-
cusations and he was wishful to avoid the
scene: but, says the sergeant, suspicion was
heavy upon Mary, and
Ion Mary says James. 'Ye say that?
Ye dare to stand there and say
~ say nothing answers the sergeant;
L tell We only what's told to myself. Now,
like good man. says he, laying hand on
| you. Go and bring her to the barracks till
| l have a word with her. If she's inno-
! cent
".Not one DANCED foot shouts James;
| not one foot I'll bring her.
"'Then must do my duty says the SER
geant.
DO it, shouts James; in fury; and
| mine, for I'll have your black blood"
! by this a crowd had gathered on the
| sidewalk, and when, In minute, the ser
| geant came. leading Mary by the arm, halt
| the town was there to see. l was there my
| self. 1 saw Mary and l saw James, and ]
followed them down to the barracks door.
| Mary went meek as lamb. the child in her
| arm, and her eyes fixed before her and her
| face white as a sheet. Behind her went
James, cursing like trooper and vowing
| murder upon the sergeant, and behind the
| three, and in front, was all the world, fool
| ish with excitement. To the very barra ok
| 1 followed them, with pity soft in my heart
| and saw the door close behind them: and
! for twenty long minutes l waited on the
| sidewalks till the door opened again and
| Mary came out, her face streaming with
tears, big bruise on her cheek, the child
| still in her arms. and no James with her."
Dan paused just there and sat looking
at his empty glass. But l leaned toward
| him. mo james, said l.
NO" answered Dan. There was NJ
| James, When Mary was searched nothing
| was found on her; so she turns to the ser
! geant an says. Now, maybe, you'll be ac
| cusin' James next.
"'Ay,' shouts James, by G., mayb,
| you will. Search me- he shouts, search m,
| before l spill your blood So they searched
| him and there in his coat pocket was th
watch Ay, there it was, sir. with ever!
| hour of the day marked upon its face" -
| A light broke upon me. Mary put i
| there" criedI.
| ITO be sure" answered Dan; "to be sure
she did. Sooner than have James go to tn
war she'd make him thief and have hin
tried and sent to Jail. Ay, that's what she,
do" Again Dan paused, sighed then deep
ly and went on. "Ah, God help her limo
cence,'' said he with all fervor, "and Co
keep her and send James back to her. He
| trial was sore; her lot is hard. She did he
best-she did her best. It was foolish an
mad of her, but twas the best she coul
do. And all no use, no mortal use in tn
world. For the next day, before the magis
trates, the whole story came out, an
James was dismissed and Mary reprimand
ed. |" And there she is now, trudgn
home through the mists to her lonely hearth
with James gone from her and bitter day
before her and the heart dead within hel
Dead, did I say? Well, maybe not. Fo
! didn't James forgive her in the end, an
hadn't she something of his to comfort he
} | for many a day-the braise on her chez
that he gave her in the barracks when h
turned and looked at her and guessed wha
| she done pr