The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-07-12
THE FAIR PRISONER

The Monday morning lineup OF
offenders in police court was I'm.
usually lengthy, and Judge Thorus
wore an ominous frown as he
stepped behind the bar Of Justice.
AS he took his seat, however, he
glanced down the row of petty
criminals, and a look of wonder and
pity displaced the scowl. At the
end of the row, and somewhat apart
from the others, sat a girl. She was
possibly 20 years old and of the
blond type. Her wealth Of golden
hair was a disheveled mass of
beauty and glistening tear spar
killed. in her deep blue eyes. At
tracted by his glance, she, too,
looked up, but quickly bowed her
head again with shame.
The judge wondered what her Of
Tense might be, but said nothing,
and the case of Mildred erase,
charged with petit larceny, was
called. With some hesitation, but
with supple grace, the fair prisoner
| took the stand.
| Miss Grase," said the prosecu-
tor, you are charged with petit
larceny-shoplifting in local store.
Do you plead guilty or not guilty?"
II did not steal that shawl" she
cried, emphatically, while the hot
tears coursed in torrents down her
cheeks.
"Then be-"
Just then the door was thrust
open and muscular man of SO
strobe up to the stand.
What does this mean?" he de-
manded. in tones that made the old
hall ring.
at means that this prisoner is
charged with petit larceny" an
swered the Judge, sternly. DO you
know anything of this case? or
what are you breaking in here like
a war horse fOr?"
"She is my daughter" replied the
stranger. She never stole any
thing. Where's the scoundrel that
said she did,"
But the said "scoundrer" had dis
appeared. Without a prosecuting
witness the case was dismissed,
and the young jurist settled back in
his chair with sigh of relief.
Disposing of the last miscreant
with an impatient gesture, the
Judge clapped his broad-brimmed
hat on his head and strobe out of
the room.
Without any reasonable motive
he secured a rig from a nearby liv-
cry and drove into the country The
monontony of the city was unbear-
able and even the greetings of his
friends were distasteful. But one
| thing was pleasing. But one thing
| sOothed his restless mind into a
dreamy oblivion. 1t was the tear
stained face and golden hair Of
Mildred erase, which drifted phan-
tomlike before him in defiance of
his efforts to cast the thoughts
away.
Absorbed in his dreams the judge
drove farther and farther into the
country. Unnoticed great banks of
ominous clouds advanced from the
west, and not until the cool breeze
preceding the rain had aroused him
did the Judge take heed of the warn
ing. AS the storm was upon him he
sought shelter in a nearby shed in
which a stalwart lad was busy oil
ing a wagon.
Tie up and come in," said the
lad, as he finished his task.
Perhaps I'd better stay here.
The horse may scare"
mo, he won't" answered the lad,
and the Judge consented to tie up.
AS they entered the pretentious
farmhouse, the lad turned abruptly
and said:
81 don't believe you gave me your
name, sir"
John T. Thorus," replied the
judge, fumbling for a card.
my name is Jim erase" and at
the name the Judge started, but he
assured himself 1t could not be the
home of his fair prisoner of the
morning.
"I'll call Sis" the lad added with
boyish frankness. "She knows how
to talk better'n | do"
Hat in hand the Judge awaited
the arrival OF isis" with some mis-.
givings. To his surprise she came
in behind him, and turning he faced
his former prisoner. A crimson
flush mounted their faces simulta-
neously and an awkward silence
reigned. She regained self-control
first, however, and said: