The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-18

on, however, by Virgins and Wolf
Swipin' lead pipe from half-finished
house"
The eyes of the detectives bent on
the human wreck as he shrank back
into line.
Philip Pratt" called the lleuten-
ant
A young man, not more than thirty.
whose sullen mein and restless eyes
betrayed his occupation even before
the Chief announced II, faced the
massed battery Of eyee. His thin lips
curled into a disdainful smile as the
Chief read his record from a slip OF
paper.
Another old friend back" the head
OF the detective force commented.
Philip Pratt, alias Morse. alias
Charlie Dodge, alias Toledo Phil. Con-
fidence gent. Did a term in Elmira,
two short stretches up the river, and
a long leg in Joliet"
The particular offense for which
the prisoner was in the tolls again
was again described, and he too. re-
tired TO temporary obscurity In the
fines of unfortunates.
Carrie Chase" came from the lieu
tenant.
Member of that frail sisterhood
whose shame is no deeper than that
OF the civilization from which It
springs, she carried herself with an
easy dignity born OF familiarity with
her surroundings. The heavy lives OF
her face we're drawn into an express
sion Of grim defiance, but her eyes,
dulled by long dissipation, could not
hide the dumb fear that lurked in her
soul.
Got away with gents super"
the Chief drawled. He displayed a
gold watch as II It held all the tri.
umph of his years OF pursuit in the
underworld. "But we found the goods
on her." he added smilingly
Her career was part of the ele-
mental knowledge of the assembled
detectives and the Chief dismissed
her quickly
The chances are she'll do a long
stretch this trip" he commented. ID.
Every condition of moral obliquity
was represented In that shifting line
of prisoners. There were youths, still
in the formative period OF their Grim
inal careers, vying with the old.timers
in the forced bravado OF their de-
meanors. Others there were, shame
faced and sad, overcome with remorse
and praying silently for the termina-
tion OF the painful spectacle. Still
others, old men and young men, re-
! earding the proceedings with the in
difference of disinterested spectators.
And there were women. too, from the
bedizened badger queen" her hair
and complexion as false as the Jewels
shimmering from her hngers and
throat, to the tremulous, weeping res
taurant cashier accused of some petty
defalcation. They represented types
as varied as the emotions struggling
within them, but as they stood side
by side facing the expressionless
masks, they seemed headed toward
the same ultimate destiny. One after
another they stepped forward for in
spection until the line was exhausted.
When the last OF them had filed out
of the room, the detectives did not re-
move their masks, as was the custom.
Instead, they stood about In a high
fever OF expectancy. Quizzical glances
were cast In the direction of the door
leading to the cells. Suddenly the
men bulked forward, as II inspired by
common impulse of curiosity. The
L igh NH elrt trNu Id 4. A.
tread of masculine feet, sounded in
the doorway. A woman's form, her
head bent TO her breast, her limbs un-
able to bear the weight of her frail
body, was being half dragged, half
carried into the room. All the life
seemed to have drained out OF her
Her hair hung disordered over her
shoulders, her hands swung Imply.
like loose pendulums.
''Elinor Holcomb!" cried the lieu
tenant.
Donnelly and Carson, each with an
arm under her shoulder, propped her
sinking form.
Lift your head" commanded the
Chief.
The order fell on deaf ears. She
seemed as one in the last agony Of a
mortal illness.
Lift 1t for her" came in a voice
OF mingled sternness and compassion.
Donnelly's hand few to her chin.
fitting her face upward For an in.
stant she raised her heavy eyelids;
then recoiled as from a blow. The
crowd of masked spectators fioated
before her eyes like hideous specters
OF horrid dream. A low groan. like
the last lament OF a tortured soul,
came from her lips. She seemed turn
ed into mass of jelly.
take her away" commanded the
Chief. and the two detectives carried
her out Of the room.
Accused of stealing the Missioner
diamonds" was the curt explanation
OF her presence. In harsh mono
tone. the Chief read the various Head
quarters orders to the force. and then
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