Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-12-04

ana perhaps the less reason for be-
lieving her to be a thief" the LAWYER
retorted suavely. He paused for a
moment, then went on. There was q
tone Of sincere determination in his
voice. Gust before the judge imposed
sentence he asked her if she had any,
thing to say. You know, it's lust a
usual form-a thing that rarely means
much of anything. But this Ease was
different. let me tell you. She SUR
prised us all by answering at once that
she had. It's really a pity, Glider. that
you didn't wait. Why. that poor girl
made a fine speech!'
Pooh, pooh!" came the querulous OBJ.
lection. "She seems to have hypnotiz-
ed you" Then. as a new thought canse
to the magnate. he spoke with a trace
of anxiety. There were always the re-
porters looking for space to fill with
foolish vaporings.
did she say anything against me or
the store?"
Not a word" the lawyer replied
gravely. "She merely told us how her
father died when she was sixteen years
old. She was compelled after that to
earn her W living. Then she told
how she had worked for you for five
years steadily without there ever be-
ing a single thing against her. She
said. too. that she had never seen the
things found in her locker. And she
said more than that. She asked the
judge If he himself understood what It
means for a girl to be sentenced to
prison for something she hadn't done.
Somehow, Glider, the way she talked
had it's effect on everybody in the court
room. l know. It's my business to
understand things like that. And what
she said rang true. What she said and
the way she said it take brains and
courage. The ordinary crook has nei-
Their. So I had a suspicion that she
might be speaking the truth" There
was a little pause. while the lawyer
moved back and forth nervously; then
he added, st believe Lawlor would have
for your talk with him."
Il simply did my duty" Glider said.
You are aware hat l did not seek
any consultation with Judge Lawlor.
He sent for me and asked me what l
thought about the ca~se-whether I
thought it would be right to let the girl
go on a suspended sentence. 1 told him
frankly that I believed that an exam
pie should be made of her for the sake
of others who might be tempted to
steal. Property has some rights, Dem
Arrest, although it seems to be getting
nowadays so that anybody is likely to
deny it, Then the fretful. half alarm
ed note sounded in his voice again as
he continued. 81 can't understand why
the girl wants to see me-"
"Why she just said that if you
would see her for ten minutes she
would tell you how to stop the thefts
in this store
"There." Glider cried. II knew it! The
girl wants to confess. Well, it's the
first sign Of decent feeling she's shown.
I suppose it ought to be encouraged.
Probably there have been others mixed
up in this"
Perhaps" Demarest admitted. cat
least it can do no harm if you see her.
l thought you would be willing, so I
spoke to the district attorney. and he
has given orders to bring her here for
a few minutes on the way to the Grand
Central station. They're taking her up
to Burnsing. you know. I wish, Gid
er, you would have a little talk with
her. The lawyer abruptly went out
Of the Office, leaving the owner of the
store Tuning.
"Hello, dad"
Glider sprang to his feet, his face
suddenly grown younger, radiant.
Dick" The big voice was softened
to exquisite tenderness.
AS the eyes Of the two met the boy
rushed forward. and in the next mo-
ment the hands of father and son
clasped firmly. Presently Glider spoke.
with an effort toward h%arshness in his
voice to mask how much he was shak-
en-. But the tones rang more kindly
than any he had used for many n day.
tremulous with affection.
what brought you backy' he de-
mnnded.
"Why, ! just wanted to come back
home he said lightly, And. for the
love OF heaven, give Sadie IS. | bor-
rowed 1t from her to pay the taxi.
You see. dnd. I'm broke"
"0f nonrs"" with tha saving Nh