The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-08-16
N!F5 w.; :;
OU7L LAWED.
BY J. L. Harbour.

had been 'outlawed' In the sight OF
God"
All day she pondered over what she
had read. Toward evening she had
to go down to one Of the village stores.
She was passing the railroad station,
when an idea suggested itself to her.
"Pll 20 I'm and ask the agent II he
can tell me how far IL IL to Louis
borough, and how much IL would cost
10 go there"
The information she received was
discouraging. II would cost at least
twenty-five dollars.
"And that Is every dollar we have
In the world" said Martha. "rll have
to give 1t up"
But the more she thought about Il
the less willing she felt to give II
up. On the morning OF the third day
she said to her sister:
Ann, do you think that you and the
little boys could get along without me
for two or three days and nights II
got Jane Lewis, the seamstress, to
come In and stay nights with you"
"I'd rather have her than any one
else. but where are you going, Mar
thaY
I'm going TO place called Louis
borough on a matter OF business" said
Martha, with a sense OF Importance.
She would have liked to keep her
going a secret, but this was impossible
In little town like Osborne BY the
time she was ready to start the entire
village knew where she was going and
with what purpose. The general
opinion was that II was "a fools
errand." but Martha was not to be
moved.
1t took her day and night to go
TO Louisborough. She had never been
In such large city. aud the hurry
and hustle confused her Some in Os-
borne had told her to ask policeman
how TO find Mr.. eyes house, and when
she saw blue-coated officer at one
end Of the station platform, she went
up TO him and said:
"Can you tell me where Mr.. Justin
ID. Gye lives?"
"He lives three or four miles from
here, miss, but his place Of business
isn't more than five minutes walk"
II don't think that l want TO go to
his house. l want to see him on-on
business"
Then you'd better go to his Office.
Go right up this street until you come
to Il street Half block down that
you'll come TO big marble front
building. Take the elevator md the
elevator boy will show you just where
it is"
Martha's timid, forlorn appearance
appealed to this big guardian of the
law, and moved him to be thus ex-
plicit. Ii was well for Martha that she
did not hear him say. as he moved
away
"What can she want with old Gye?
IL she's on begging errand, she'd
better save her breath"
Martha easily found the marble
building, and her heart began to futter
little when she saw shining brass
plate at the side OF the doors with the
name Justin ID. Gye on IL In black
letters. Below the plate she read,
Rooms "a and &c"
She did not take the elevator. but
climbed the marble stairway, and at
the head OF the first flight she found
rooms - and &c, with eyes name on
both doors.
An almost Irresistible impulse TO fee
from the place and take the first train
for Osborne seized Martha. The very
atmosphere of the place chilled and
made her realize her shabby appear
ance. Her dusty. worn old shoes
looked out of place on the marble
floor. The cheapness Of her black
skirt. her worn jacket ard faded straw
hat impressed itself upon her. Her
ungloved hand trembled as she laid 1t
on the shining brass door knob.
In the room she entered half n
dozen clerks were at their desks and
there were other clerks In a room be-
yond. A boy In livery came forward
and asked her whom she wanted TO
see.
"Mr. Gye." replied Martha.
Hes busy" was the reply.
81 could wait" said Martha.
"Havc you card 10 send int"
"No." replied Martha, with a blush.
"Youli have TO seud In your name
first"
rMy name Is Martha Coombs."
The boy motioned toward three or
four chairs near the door.
"You can sit down and wait. and
I'll take in your name when Mr.. eyes
present caller goes"
Martha waited an hour and half,
during which time she regained her
self possession. Other persons who
came In and asked 20 see Mr.. Gye were
told TO wait. and they. too. sat down
In the row OF chairs near the door.
At the end of an hour and a half
the boy came up 20 Martha and said:
"Mr. Gyc says you can come m"
She passed into the private room. A
portly. pompous looking man sat at q
rosewood desk. His manner was al
most harsh. as he said: