The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-12-05


Glider looked at his son with 4
strange. new respect.
Dick" he cried-"boy, you are all /
have in the world. You will have to
free yourself from this woman some
how. You owe me that much"
Il owe something to her. too. dad"
What can you owe her? She trick
ed you into the marriage. Why. legal
Iy it's not even that. There's been
nothing more than 4 wedding cere-
mony. We must get you out Of the
scrape."
I'm not sure that want to get out
of it. father"
You want to stay married to this
Jail birdr'
I'm very fond Of her."
Now that you know?"
Now that | know" Dick said dis
tinctly. Don't you see. father? Why.
she is justified in way-in her own
mind anyhow. | mean. She was innO-
cent when she was sent to prison"
Don't talk to me about her inno-
cence. There's only one course open
to you. my boy. You must give this
girl up. If you don't what are you
going to do the day your wife is
thrown into a patrol wagon and car
ried to police headquarters. for it's
sure to happen? The cleverest of peo-
pie make mistakes. and some day she'll
make one"
Dick threw out his hands in a ges-
ture of supreme denial. But the IA.
Their went on remorselessly.
They will stand her up where the
detectives will walk past her with
MASKS on their faces. Her picture, OF
course. is already in the rogues' gall
lery. but they will take anOther-yes.
and the imprints of her fingers and the
measurements of her body"
The son was writing under the
words. The woman of whom these
things were said was the woman
whom he loved. Yet every word had
in it the piercing, horrible sting of
truth.
That's r'hat they will do to your
wife," Glider went on harshly. Ito the
woman who bears your name and
mine. What are you going to do about
it,"
1T will never happen. She will go
straight. dad. That know. You
would know it il You only knew her as
| do"
Glider was in despair. What argu-
ment could avail him! He cried out
sharply in desperation.
DO you realize what you're doing?
Don't go to smash, Dick. just at the
beginning of your life. Oh. beg you.
boy. stop! Put this girl out Of your
thoughts and start fresh. You're all
have. my boy
Yes. dad" came the answer. IF |
could avoid it | wouldn't hurt you for
anything in the world. I'm sorry. dad.
awfully sorry He hesitated, then
his voice rang out clearly: But ! must
fight this out by myself-fght it out
in my own way. And I'm going to
do it,
The butler entered.
"A man TO see you. sir" he said.
The master took the card. Very
well.' he said, show him up" His
glance met the wondering gaze of his
son.
Its Burke" he explained.
What on earth can he want-at this
time of night" Dick exclaimed.
You may as well get used to visits
from the police"
moment later Inspector Burke en-
tered the room.
she's skipped he said triumph
antly.
Dick made step forward. His eyes
flashed. and there was anger in his
voice as he replied:
Il don't believe it."
''She left this morning for Chicago"
Burke said. lying with manner that
@ng habit rendered altogether con-
vincing Il told you she'd go" He
turned TO the father and spoke with an
air Of boastful good nature Now, all
you have to do Is to get this boy out of
the scrape and you'll be all right"
If we only could The cry came
with deepest earnestness from the lips
of Glider. but there was little hope in
his voice.
81 guess we can find way to have
the marriage annulled or whatever
they do TO marriages that don't take"
said Burke
The brutal assurance of the man in
thus referring to things that were
sacred moved Dick to wrath.
Don't you Interfere" he said.
Nevertheless Burke held to the topic
"lnterfere. Huhr' be calculated
grinning broadly why. that's what
I'm paid to do. Listen to me- son The
minute you begin mixing mp with
crooks you amt in a position To give
orders to any one. The crooks have
got no rights in the eyes of the police,
lust remember that"
But Dick was not listening. His
thoughts were again wholly with the
wLman he loved. who. as the inspector
declared. had fled from him.
where's she gone in Chicago|
burke answered in his usual gruff
fashion. but with note Of kindliness
that was not without its effect on
Dick.