The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1913-12-04
she said again, as one refusing to be

she said again, as one refusing to be-
Heve.
Eyes, three years"
"Good God!" There was nc 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
directness habitual to her, why are
you so anxious about it? This is the
third time you have asked me about
Mary Turner. What's it to you, I'd
like to know?"
The s~alesgirl started violently, and
a deep flush drove the accustomed pal
Tor from her cheeks. She was obvi-
ously much disturbed by the question.
what is it to me?" she repeated In
an effort to gain time. why, nothing
nothing at all, ~only-she's a friend of
mine, a great friend of mine. Oh,
yesv'
There was a monotone Of d~esolation
as she went on speaking In a whisper
meant for the ears Of no other. Its
awful-three years! Oh, l didn't I'M
derstandL It's awful-awful!" With
the final word she hurried off, her at
titude of wondering grief.
Sarah was thinking intently of Mary
Turner after her return to the office.
AS she glanced up at the opening of the
door she did not at first recognize the
figure outlined there. She remembered
Mary Turner as a tall, slender girl,
who showed an underlying vitality in
every movement, a girl with a face of
regular features, In which was a com
plexion Of blended milk and roses, with
a radiant Joy Of life shining through
all her arduous and vulgar conditions.
Instead of this, now she saw q frail
form that stood swaying in the door
way, that bent in a sinister fashion
which told Of bodily impotence, while
the face was quite bloodless.
A man stood beside her, n of his
hands clasped around the girls wrist.
1t was Cassidy, from headquarters.
who spoke in a rough, Indifferent voice.
1.-The district attorney told me to
bring this girl here on my way to the
Grand Central station with her"
"Mr. Glider will be right back, Come
In and wait"
The two went forward very slowly,
the officer, carelessly conscious Of his
duty, walking with awkward steps to
suit the feeble movements of the girl.
Sarah at last found her voice for an
expression Of sympathy.
I'm sorry, Mary" she said hesitat-
ingly. "Tm terribly sorry. terribly
SORT y"
The girl did not look up. She stood
still, swaying a little, as If from weak
ness.
Are your she said. 81 did not
know. Nobody has been near me the
whole time I have been in the Tombs.'
why" Sarah exclaimed, "there was
Helen Morris today! She has been
asking about you again and again.
She's all broken up over your trouble
"Who is Helen Morris?" the lifeless
voice demanded. There was no inter
est in the question.
Glider entered the Office with the
quick, bustling activity that was ordi-
narily expressed in his every move
ment. He paused as he beheld the two
visitors, then he spoke CURLY to the
secretary.
"You may go. Sarah. I will ring
when I wish you again"
There followed an interval Of silence
while the secretary was leaving the Of
ice and the girl with her warder stood
waiting on his pleasure. Glider cleared
his throat twice In an embarrassment
foreign to him before finally he spoke
to the girl.
my GIRL" Glider said gently-his
hard voice was softened by an honest
regret-"my girl, ! am sorry about
Shis."
you should bew came the instant
answer.
Come, comet Glider exclaimed test
lily. That's no tone to take with mer'
"why2 What sort Of tone do you ex-
pect me to take?" was the retort In the
listless voice.
81 expected a decent amount Of hu-
mility from n in your position"
Life q~uickened swiftly In the droop-
ing form Of the girl. She stood sudden
" erect. and her face lost its bieakness
Of pallor. The eyes opened wide and
cooked straight into those Of the man
who bad employed her.
(To BE CONTINUED