Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-13

figure prisoners even when there are
visitors within the walls!"
The young mans quiet humility
changed to lively concern. You
mustn't, you know" he cried. THAT
wouldn't do at all. Please don't men,
ton word of what I told you!"
"Why?" Queried the girl, disap-
pointedly.
ooh, because T." began the young
man, and checked himself. He be.
came the model prisoner again. ct,
might be better for me, maam," he
said quietly.
The girl nodded. When she spoke
there was no emotion in her voice.
Still. the young man was conscious of
feeling of relief that the deputy
warden was not present.
1T understand. They would seek TO-
revenge themselves If they know you
told. But I want you to promise one
thing, please
"I'll promise you anything" as
sured the young man.
"Its only this" she replied hastily,
confused bit by the look in his eyes.
IF they ill-treat you again, write me
at Eyredale-Ethel Bannerman. Papa
and the governor are friends. Mightn't
we get you pardon?"
(; II haven't long to stay here" he
assured her. Il don't know what to
say to you for your kindness"
"It's nothing" she said, quickly, as
the rustic Of garments and the muir
muir Of women's voices came from the
corridor.
She opened her bag, fumbled in a
tiny pocketbook, and produced a sill
yer dollar. +" J..
"It's all the money have here"
timidly. Mamma has enough for
both of us. Please take it.
I With sudden impulse she offered
her hand. He took 1t, gently; his
warm palm met her own. She smiled
family In farewell, but there were
tears in her eyes.
TT was all wrong to deceive her
that way" said the young man, to his
own reflection tn the mirror, when she
had gone. But couldn't let her go
and forget me. had to get her In
terested. Now, I wonder If she'll for
give me when she finds out?
"she's a good little girl, and a
mighty sweet one, too. Why, she
wanted to cry over my troubles" He
paused for moment, in glowing. boy
ish awe. by jove, must see her
again Now to waylay Mrs. Banner
man" He plunged into the making
OF speedy toilet.
Two hours later the visit of the
officer and prominent committee mem
bers of the state federation was over.
The president, Mrs. Lucretia Lorne
Hammond, rode back to the city In the
same automobile with Mrs. Banner
man and her daughter.
"A visit to a prison Is a saddening
experience" remarked Mrs. Hammond,
with the enunciation Of the public
speaker; $50 many hopeless faces, so
many broken hearts.
81 noticed one queer thing In there
and it's supposed to be model inst1-
tuition. met young prisoner In the
corridor with bad cut on his face,
He looked as if he'd been fighting. Do
you Suppose they still have corporal
punishment here. in spite OF their
denials?" 5,S *$$.rss
Ethel Bannerman leaned forward
| with eager, wide open eyes, her lips
parted. Mrs. Bannerman smiled.
"Was he a tall, young man with q
gray shirt?'
ii believe he was" replied Mrs.
Hammond.
"Handsome; brown-eyed?"
| II couldn't tell about his eyes; |
suppose he might be called handsome"
admitted Mrs. Hammond, austerely.
"That isn't prisoner. That's
Gerald Primrose, a member of the
prison board. He's here because
there's meeting OF the board today.
! The governor appointed him because
he's wealthy and can give his time and
thought to prison problems. Warden
Stone speaks very highly Of him
But, my dear" objected Mrs. Ham
mond, "the garb he wore! And why
that injury to his face?"
s"You undoubtedly saw him coming
from the gymnasium. He and the
deputy warden are great friends.
They always have a boxing match
when he comes down. He slipped and
fell against a window-ledge just as
Mr.. Breese struck him. It was purely
an accident"
| She paused effectively before adding
"The governor and Mr.. Penrose are
coming to dinner with us next week"
| "He seems rather peculiar" COM
tmented Mrs. Hammond. II think
saw him again, just as we were leav-
ling. He had changed to his ordinary
attire. 1
"He was holding silver dollar in
his hand, and looked at 1t like miser.
Why, he acted as though he wanted
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