Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-10-17
CHAPTER III.
The Victim of the Law.

the effect IL wrought Ou tho ossitN~
Of the irritated owner Of the store
Instantly his expression changed.
How extremely awkward! ne
cried, and there was a very real con-
Germ in his voice. He regarded Smith
SON kindly, whereat that rather pu-
ling gentleman once again assumed
his material bearing. you were quite
right In coming to me-" For mo-
ment he was silent, plunged In
thought. Finally he spoke with the
decisiveness Characteristic to him.
"of course there's nothing we can
do. Just put the stuff back on the
counter and let her CO."
But Smithson had not yet wholly
unburdened himself. He again clear
ed his throat nervously.
she's very angry, Mr.. Glider" ne
announced timidly. "She-er-she
demands an-er-an apology"
The owner Of the store half rose
from his chair, then threw himself
back with an exclamation Of disgust
"God bless my soul!' he cried.
Again he fell silent, considering the
situation which Smithson had pre-
sented. At last, however, he master
ed his irritation to some degree ana
spoke his command briefly. "Wen'
Smithson, apologize to her. 1t can't
be helped"
When Smithson had left the of1ce
Glider turned to- his secretary.
Take this" he directed, and he
forthwith dictated the following let
ter:
"J. w. Gaskell. Esq, Central Nation
al Bank, New York.
my dear Mr.. Gaskell-I feel that
7 should be doing less than my duty
as a man If / did not let you know
at once that Mrs. Gaskell is in ur-
gent need of medical attention. She
came into our store today, and"
He paused for a moment. NO.
put it this way" he said briefly:
1--WE found her wandering about
our store today In very nervous
condition. In her excitement she
carried away about 500 worth OF
rare laces. Not recognizing her, our
store detective detained her for a
short time. Fortunately for us all,
Mrs. Gaskell was able to explain who
she was, and she has just gone to
her home. Hoping for Mrs. Gaskelfs
speedy recovery, and with all good
wishes, am yours very truly"
Smithson again entered the office,
even more perturable than before.
What on earth Is the matter
now?" Glider spluttered suspicious
ly.
IT'S Mrs. Gaskell STILL" Smithson
replied in great trepidation. she
wants you personally, Mr.. Glider
to apologize to her. She says that
the action taken against her Is an
outrage, and she is not satisfied with
the apologies Of all the rest of US.
She says you must make one, too, and
that the store detective must be dis
charged for intolerable insolence."
Glider bounced up from his chair
angrily.
"Tll not discharge McCracken," he
vociferated, glaring on Smithson. who
shrank visibly.
But about the apology, Mr.. Gill
DER" he reminded, speaking very
deferentially, yet with insistence.
"Oh, I'll apologize" he said with
a wry smile Of discontinue. I'll
make things even up bit when get
an apology from Gaskell. I shrewd-
ly suspect that that estimable gentle
man is going to eat humble pie, of
nv baking, from his wife's recipe.
And his will be an honest apology,
which mine won't" And he left the
room.
1t was on this same day that Sa-
rah, on one Of her numerous trips
through the store in behalf Of Glider
was accosted by salesgirl, whose
name, Helen Morris, she chanced to
know.
What on earth do you want?''
Sarah inquired snappishly.
What did they do to Mary Tur-
ner?"
"They sent her to prison for three
years."
Three years?" The salesgirl had re-
peated the words in a tone that was
indefinable, yet tone vehement in its
incredulous questioning. Three years
she said again, as one refusing to be-
lieve.
Yes, three years"
Good Cod" There was no irrever-
ence in the exclamation that broke
from the girls lips. Instead only a
tense horror that touched to the roots
of emotion.
Say" Sarah demanded, with the di-
rectness habitual to her, why are you
so anxious about it? This is the third
time you have asked me about Mary
Turner. What's 1t to you, I'd like tc
know?"
The salesgirl started violently, ant
a deep flush drove the accustomed pal
lor from her cheeks. She was obvious
ly much disturbed by the question.
What is it to me?" she repeated II
an effort to gain time. why, nothing
nothing at all, only-she's friend
Of mine, a great friend Of mine. Oh
yes!"
There was a monotone Of desolatior
as she went on speaking in whisper
meant for the ears of no other. "1t'
awful-three years! Oh, l didn't un'
derstand! It's awful-awful!" Witt
the final word she hurried off, her at
titude one of wondering grief
Sarah was thinking intently of Mary
Turner after her return to the office
AS she glanced up at the opening o.
the door she did not at first recognize
the figure outlined there. She remem
bered Mary Turner as tall, slender
girl, who showed an underlying vital
ity in every movement, a girl with
face Of regular features, in which wa:
a complexion of blended milk anC