The Red Cloud chief., 1912-05-02
In riison
Copyright. 1911. BY Associated Literary Prsss)

| the Old "trusty" who was sweeping
out the wardcn's private office.
lie asked the question of a young
man who had come In from the cor
ridor. The latter. like the trusty.
wore gray shirt-gray In Menlo
prison is the badge Of good behavior
though Of slightly different cut.
lie was a personable chap. 1.-THE. Wig
orous and erect, on this side OF thirty.
Now he breathed heavily. as II from
recent exertion. his hair was rumpled.
aud from cut beneath his right eye
blood was flowing
THE deputy warden hit mo and
fell against the corner Of tho window
ledge" he painted.
Neither noticed young girl who
had come to the door Of the public
ONCE. and had heard the young mans
answer
Now her little hands were
clenched; her expressive face wore
mingled look Of pity and indigna.
tion. She came swiftly into the room.
Pardon me, but did ! hear you say
the deputy warden struck your"
eyes. ma'am," answered the young
man, as he applied handkerchief to
his injury.
"And they say this is a model pris.
on!" was her spirited comment.
I'D like your name and-numbcr--
please. and a full description OF the
deputy's attack upon you"
"Why, ma'am?" Queried tho young
man.
II am my mothers private secre.
tary. She Is Mrs. Campbell Banner.
man. chairman Of the prison com.
mittee Of tho State Federation Of
Woman's Clubs
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.
tion word Of what told you!"
'Why?" queried the girl
"Oh. because /" began the young
man. and checked himself. lie be.
came the model prisoner again. 1T
might be better for me, ma'am," no
said quietly.
Il understand. They would seek to
revenge themselves II they knew you
Iii tOtus buI WduL yOu W UTOuIb0
one thing. please"
'I'll promise you anything!" assured
the young man.
"It's only this" she replied hastily
confused bit by the look in his eyes
III they ill.treat you again, write me
at Eyredale-Ethel Zimmerman"
She opened her bag. fumbled In q
tiny pocketbook and produced sill
yer dollar
ITS all the money l have here,
timidly. Mamma has enough for
both of us. Please take It,"
With sudden impulse she offered
her hand. He took It, gently, his
warm palm met her own. She smiled
family in farewell. but there were
tears in her eyes.
1T was all wrong to deceive her
that way" said the young man. to his
own reflection in the mirror, when
she had gone. "But couldn't let her
go and forget me. ] had to get her
interested. Now. wonder II she'll
forgive me when she finds out?"
"She's good little girl. and a
mighty sweet one. too. Why, she
wanted to cry over my troubles" He
paused for a moment, in glowing,
boyish awe. by Jove. I must see her
again. Now to waylay Mrs. Banner.
man." He plunged into the making
of a speedy toilet.
Two hours later the visit of the
officers and prominent committee
members Of the state federation was
over. The president. Mrs. Lucretia
Lorne Hammond. rode back to the
city In the same automobile with
Mrs. Bannerman and her daughter.
"A visit to q prison is a saddening
experience" remarked Mrs. Ham.
mond, with the enunciation of the
public speaker: $50 many hopeless
faces, so many broken hearts.
Il noticed one queer thing In there
and it's supposed to be q model
institution. met q young prisoner in
the corridor with bad cut on his
face. He looked as II he'd been fight.
Ing. Do you suppose they still have
corporal punishment here In spite Of
their denials?"
Ethel Bannerman leaned forward
with eager, wide open eyes, her
lips parted. Mrs. Zimmerman smiled.
i "Was he a tall young man with a
gray shirt?"
II believe he was" replied Mrs.
Hammond.
Handsome: brown.eyed?"
II couldn't tell about his eyes; I
suppose he might be called hand.
some" admitted Mrs. Hammond. aus
terely.
THAT isn't . prisoner. That's Ger.
aid Primrose, . member Of tho prison
board. He's here because there's .
meeting Of the board today. The gov.
ernor appointed him because he's
wealthy and can give bis time and
thought to prison problems. Warden
Stone speaks very highly Of him."
HE seems rather peculiar" com.
mented Mrs. Hammond. n think I
| saw him aRain. iust a. We VePo lAav.