The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1904-10-21

would be.
"As stand her swear before God it
is true" replied the colonel. My child
knows nothing.
Half an hour later Harold stood before
his mother, his eyes ablaze with anger
and Indignation, his breath coming in
short gasps, his hands clinched until his
finger nails bit into his palms, and Mrs.
Penstone, sitting in a low chair, held her
face between her hands, sobbing as if her
heart would break, while tears trickled
through her fingers.
why did you not tell me-" he de-
manded. "You say It's true. Why was
not told?"
II never thought it would be necessa-
ry," she sobbed. II always thought to
hide it,
Truth will out, mother" he answered.
'But it was not your fault, my poor
boy" she said. "You are not response
BILE for your fathers SIM"
Her sobs ceased suddenly and she lay
quite still in her chair. He pulled her
hands from her face, lifted her head, and
then fell back
Heavens" he cried; "she's dead. This
shock has killed her. Mother, mother"
The Judge sat in his private room be-
hind the court, awaiting the arrival of
his carriage to take him home. He had
had an exceptionally hard days work
and felt weary, and when the clerk of the
court asked him if he would see a visitor
"a lady visitor-he felt in little mood to
grant the audience.
Il will see her in the morning." he sail.
"She says it's matter of life and death.
sir In connection with the young girl,
Spencer, who was sentenced to months
imprisonment this afternoon for theft.
think it's her mother"
but can do nothing now"
The clerk he>itated, and in the silence
the Judge heard without the sounds of
w"man's $, b..
"O.. well. >h"w her in. I'll see her for
five minutes. Let me know Immediately
my carriage arrives"
The woman was ushered i'll. She was
dressed in black and wore a heavy veil.
Presently the judge invited her to be
seated, and, taking a chair in the shad-
ow, she lifted her veil.
"You wish to see me with reference to
Mary Spencer, believe" he said
Yes" came the answer through her
tears. 81 am her mother. don't think
our lawyer put the case right for you. l
am sure it was but an instance of klcpto-
mania, your honor"
My dear madam. am sorry for you,
but can do nothing now" was the re-
ply. THE punishment only fits the
crime, and it is no excuse that you are
rich people. A poor person would have
had to suffer the SAM"
"But she is only 90, your honor" plead
ed the woman. Think of the disgrace"
Il can do nothing, madam"
The clerk knocked and entered.
Your carriage has arrived, your hon.
or" and he closed the door.
The Judge rose.
II am sorry, madam, but can do
nothing" he repeated.
The woman left her seat.
Not for me, Harold" she cried, falling
on her knees.
He started back.
"Grace Ashford" he cried in astonisk-
ment.
"Have mercy" she pleaded, IF my
father
BROKE my heart and killed my moth
er, lie continued; ''it was not your fault,
know, Mrs. Spencer, no blame attaches
to you"
Again the clerk entered.
1.-The carriage is waiting, sir, he said.
Harold Pcnstone, old and gray at So,
put on his hat and took his walking
stick.
Good night" he said to the clerk
"Sec the lady into cab. can do moth.
ing for her"
And he passed out, while Mrs. Spencer
buried her head on her arms and wept