The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1912-01-19

massive gray front of the jail until
the young physician came out. lie
observed the pallor OF the doctors
cheeks, bis uncertain gait, as II the
turmoil of his mind had exhausted his
physical energy. The detective noted,
also, the clear-cut, straightforward
features Of the physician, the resolute
aspect of his face and the purposeful
CLEAN in his clear eyes.
"Just a moment, Doctor" Britz said,
tapping DR.. Fitch on the shoulder.
What can | do FOR your" asked the
doctor.
"I am Lieutenant Britt, OF Head
quarters" the detective explained. II
! am in charge of the active work on
this case. want your help. You can
be of great service to Miss Holcomb."
How" quickly asked DR.. Fitch.
by following my ORDERS" Mashed
Britz.
What are your orders?" asked the
doctor.
1T is absolutely necessary that all
suspicion be directed toward her. No
effort must be made at the present
time to clear her"
What" exclaimed DR.. Fitch. per
NIT my fiancee to suffer the tortures
of this prison and live under the stig-
ma of this terrible accusation"
"It is necessary" assured Britz.
THE two detectives who arrested
her seem to be convinced of her
guilt" Fitch said angrily. They in
fiicted tortures on her that might
have crushed a stronger woman; she
told me as best she could what took
place at the inquisition in Police
Headquarters"
VERY WE'LL" said Britt. 'T am
working Independently, regardless OF
anything Donnelly and Carson, the
two men who made the arrest, may
do. They blundered grievously when
they arrested the young woman. We
must overcome that blunder, but the
time is not ripe for her release. II
she leaves the Tombs, It must be with
her name cleared of suspicion"
DR.. Fitch returned to the prison and
was permitted to see the prisoner in
the little reception room on the ground
floor Of the women's wing. Her law
| yer had left instructions that the
physician be allowed to consult with
his flancee at any time. On his first
visit, he had found her dstraught,
hardly able to tell a coherent story.
His call had cheering effect on her,
| however, and she entered the recep-
ton room with a firmer step
81 hope you have brought good
news" she called.
81 have just talked with Lieutenant
Britz, who is in charge of your case,
he replied "He has assured me he
will do everything TO prove your in
nocence and find the real criminal,
but he wants you to remain here until
you can leave with your name entire.
] ly cleared"
"You believe me. don't your" she
murmured.
IAN those who know you must be-
lieve in YOU" he answered. THE very
innocence Of your nature is sufficient
| reply to the accusation against you"
AS he hastoned down the steps of
the prison, he again met Britt. The
two men walked to Broadway and pp
that thoroughfaro to Twenty-third
Street. When they parted, Brltz knew
the life history of Miss Holcomb.
She had been born in good circum.
stances. and was graduate of Smith
College. All her life, she had been
reared to the belief that her future
was well provided for As the only
child of a Boston banker, she lived in
an environment of tranquil ease that
seemed her permanent heritage In
life. Her father and mother died
within year of each other, during
the stress OF a financial panic. When
the estate came to be settled, II was
| found insufficient to meet the out
standing obligations of the father.
Left pennlless, amid the luxuries of
her birth, she found employment as
a governess, and two years before the
discovery of the substituted paste
jewels, she Yves engaged by Mrs. Mis-
sioner as secretary
Fitch met Miss Holcomb in Boston,
and their friendship was renewed in
New York. Their engagement was an
nounced only a month before her ar
rest Britz, trying to square the cir
cumstances surrounding her arrest
with the conclusion of guilt. decided
that If she took the Jewels it must
have been in sudden temptation
born OF the luxury OF her past.
But, on more mature reflection, he
concluded that her birth, her breeding,
all the training of her life placed her
above any such temptation; and when
he entered his home to study the case
in the quiet Of his library, he was pos
sessed Of the strong conviction that
Miss Holcomb was guiltless OF the
charge entered against her on the rec
ords OF the Court