Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-08-01
TODAY IS INSTALLMENT.

That journey across London in the
fetid interior of the prison van A hun
bred times in that life which already
seemed 80 far off Huntington had seen
the BLACK Maria pass on It's gloomy
journey through the streets, looking like
q great black coffee stall van that at
moments notice could let down its wood
en- walls and disclose a dismal and mis-
cradle shop within, and had speculated
idly enough on the human contents, their
crimes and their feelings. Once as he
had passed through a Westminster Stun
he had seen the van, driven out smartly
from a police court yard, made the OBJ
tect of O sudden frenzied attack by a
couple of slatternly, aproned, and weep
ing women, who had run after 1t, clinging
to the step, screaming and shrieking, re-
fusing to be shaken off till one had
tripped and fallen, and had been left be-
hind bleeding and weeping in the mud of
the roadway. He thought of that scene
now as he stood locked into the narrow
compartment and listened to the talk of
his unseen companions.
Tragedy, grim. incredibly ugly and sor-
did-that was what he had always assoc
cated with the prison van. Instead, here
was laughter, something approaching
mirth---a Rebelaisan wit and wonderful
amount of the milk of human kindness
or all his majesty's guests. as the warder
with the Righteousness OF his kind had
called them, the most melancholy was
man who had only a six months sentence
to serve. Besides himself. Rmington
knew there was another ''lifer' in the
van, as well as a defaultng solicitor who
had got a well deserved ten years; this
man, urbane. socially successful, accus1
toned all his life to purple and fine linen.
was the most cheerful OF the lot. The
social gift that had been his undoing was
sparkling brilliantly during his last ride
together before the long silence settled
down about him.
Remington, in his compartment held
his peace and listened. He had no de-
sire to join in this laughter Of fools.
And as he listened above the talk which
went on without let or hndrance from
the warders above the rattle Of the
heavy van-he heard curious, recur-
ring sound The man who had got six
months was weeping like a hysterical
woman. lie had left dying wife behind
him in the land Of the living men
Gradually. TO Jack Rimington, that
sound OF weeping grew, drowning all
other commissioned to gather TO itself
echoes of all the women who wept for all
the prisoners in the world,
He longed to put his handcuffed hands
to his ears TO shut out the bitter sound
OF It,
Then the van had stopped; moved on
through a courtyard There was a clang
and that everlasting rattle of the keys
Jack Rimington. waiting. knew now that
the Gates OF silence had swung TO be-
hind him--for twenty years.
Dr. Robert Merton. specialist in the
diseases Of women and children. the
man who had. for all his skin. been pow
erless to save Anthony Barrington's son,
was a comparatively recent addition to
the number OF people who count in
London society The time and manner
of his arrival. however. were matters Of
little moment lie had arrived and all
London that is the London of rich wom-
en- so whom Illness Is a luxury. of moth
ers able to pay eNtraVagant fees fnr the
satisfaction az learning that their chill
drens little fingers do not ache-focked
10 the consulting room Of the white
painted spiok and span house in the Sc
leot square near Harley street that was
sufficiently removed from Doctors Row"
to insure it not being overlooked or mis-
taken, and not too far removed from it
lest newcomer might he suspected OF
being ostentatous or eccentric
People who consulted him once never
forsook him With children he was ex-
traordinarily popular He effected some
remarkable cures. and above all he had
personality He understood women, or at
least he made them believe he did In a
word. he was successful. and his app
pointmeut book. which In the provincial
town from which he had migrated had
displayed daily virginia. pages, in London
was as fun as that of q popular actor
manager.
Sometimes his success pslled on him
He was naturally lazy man. and The
strain Involved 10y the continual stream
of patients Was very considerable All