The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-30
CHAPTER XVIII.


Marines tone was very low, but
her words were quite distinct.
did you - " the judge hesi-
tated. He had intended to say did
you steal it," but something in Mar
MES demeanor, caused him to change
the form of the question. He said
instead:
How did you obtain that money!"
Marine made no reply. She had
been waiting for the question and
dreading it. you must tell me, ;"
persisted his honor, kindly but firm
ly.
II can't"
Oh, those two horrid words! Mar
ME was so tried of hearing herself
say them.
THAT is nonsense" declared the
court. 'Of course you can tell me
and you must do So
Marine again shook her head. But
such a pathetic picture did she make.
so despairing was her look, that in
stead of growing impatient, the Judge
took another tack.
Did you steal the money!" he
asked. softly leaning over his desk
and looking deep into Marines eyes.
Marines honest gaze met the
judges with SO much frankness as
she replied mo SIR" that his honor,
who regarded himself as something
of a mind reader, almost believed
| her.
The younger children had all been
disposed of and taken out of the
courtroom, and those who remained
were children of Marines age, or
grown people-witnesses officers and
lawyers. There was not another
sound in the courtroom as Judge
Holden said:
why do you say I can't'?"
Because that is all there is to
say. 1 just can't"
"Why can't your"
There was a breathless pause dur
ing which every eye was riveted upon
the little girl with the pale, high
bred face, who even before she had
begun to take an active part in the
proceedings had attracted attention
as she sat quietly in one of the
benches with the spectators, because
of her unusually interesting coun.
tenance.
Judge Holden repeated his ques
ton.
why can't you Marnie?'
Marine turned her frank dark eye
full upon the judicial face and re
piled quietly:
81 have promised"
Here was new light upon the sub
ject.
Mrs. Weber who had started a
this revelation, stepped eagerly for
ward. Two newspaper men seated a
the press-table, leaned back ant
stared attentively. This began Il
look like a good story" as the re
porters termed anything that would
make a reasonable article
Why" considered Mrs. Weber
did some once not think in all thos
cross-examinations to which she wa
subjected. to ask that simple CUES
tion?"
Whom did you promise?" wen
on the judges voice.
THAT / can not say. That is tn
can't part of It," and Marine smile
through the weary, harassed lok tina
of late had become so habitual wit
, her.
'If only they would let me alone,
she said to herself. 81 am sufferin
for my misdeeds, If 1 have done any
thing wrong, and why will they pei
secute me? Is 1t not enough tina
am going to the Reform school?
Her thoughts wandered for me
ment to a distant farm house, t
sunny fields, and broad meadows an
a. golden-haired girl, whom she coul
) never hope to call her friend again
Then her thoughts were recalle
to her present surroundings by dis
, turbance in the rear Of the room.
r little throng had gathered there, an
was waiting to hear how her cas-
, was disposed of, before proceeding o
= its way out, whittier it was goin
when interest IN her was aroused.
Let me pass, please" a voice wa
saying, and out of the throng Of III
I familiar faces that confronted he
2 emerged a splendid form she kner
clad in tight-fltting military un
form.
MARSHALL" cried the unhapp