The Prescott daily news., 1908-02-12
For HisSake
By Sue MoManava

and making gorgeous clothes which she never wore in the village was . little beyond them.
 All the year round Mrs. Courtney worked in the dry goods store as one of the salesladies. Although she was very gentle and very gracious, there was always a faint reserve and dig nity about her through which no one could penetrate And always there was the far-away shadow of sadness In her eyes.
 And what beats me" said old Mrs. Poplam, the village gossip. didn't I drop in there Wednesday night after prayer meetj- and wasn't she sew ing away Oh swellest silk dress I ever laid eyes on. It looks mighty queer Has any one around here ever seen her wear them?'
 There was hint of frost in the air and the sun was dying in the west one night late In October, when Mrs. Court ney hurried in at her gate. It had been hard day at the store. Yet, with feverish eagerness. without talk ing the time to prepare her usual plain little supper, she set to work on some dlmy, fluffy material which she hauled down from the dresser drawer
 Because they mustn't be merely nice clothes, dear" she whispered to herself. They must be lovely, extrav- agant; the kind of clothes a woman who has everything would wear. If they weren't the very finest you would be sure to suspect. They must be just as lovely as the ones l had be- fore-before-"
 Heedess of the costly stuff she held in her lap the woman buried her face in 1t with heartbreaking sob.
 The next day, unconscious of the surprised stares of the villagers, she took train for the north. A big trunk, bearing all the fine clothes, went with her. After riding all day she arrived at a big city. Here she hastened at once to a hotel. When she emerged from her room she was transformed from the plain little wom- an who had entered it to blooming beauty. A skillful maid, a hair l oi SooSA anu lAlO su1llpLuOuS CiOlASS had made her again the woman she used to be.
 ITO the penitentiary," was the quick order she gave the hack driver.
 The gray-haired warden was used to admitting women visitors. He looked approvingly after Mrs. Courtney. This was the third year the pretty, we'll dressed woman had come to see No. 2,099, in other words, James Courtney, doing 20 years for forgery.
 In the cold, grim little stone cham Der Mrs Courtney waited. She could scarcely breathe for the pounding of her heart. She closed both eyes and It. Then she was conscious of step in the corridor. There was low cry:
 "Maida!"
 It was his voice the voice she had hungered for through the barren, pitt less year. It was all gone, the heart ache and the torture. And she was here, safe once more in the encircling shelter of his dear arms. Through the dazed blur of tumult in her brain her hands stole to his face, tenderly caressing each sunken feature
 What? Bring tears and sighs to this one hour of the year? Leave only an added memory of sorrow and pain to this man whose whole existence was now but gray shadow?
 So she laughed and was gay though her heart was breaking It was all part with the lovely, extravagant clothes, the clothes he would remem- Der with happiness when she was gone.
 And Jim, dear" she was saying, 'I have such a fine, paying position. Just enough light work to keep me from being idle and getting too lonely without you
 The brave voice broke for a mo- ment, but when she raised her face from his shoulder she was smiling through her tears.
 Sorry, madam, but times up" said the guard. respectfully.
 The big gates changed behind them. Jim stood silent, straining his ears to catch the last silken rustic of her skirt. When he turned his face again toward the dark and gloomy corridor he held his head high and there was an unwonted look in his eyes.