The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-12-18

mrnts closely. now lifted her voice IN
tarlr lamentations over her own stu
pidity.
''Why. the poor Gawk's hungry" she
exclaimed. And never got the dope
on her. Amt the Simp''
The girl regancd a degree Of self
control and showed something Of for
Iorn dignity.
Yes" she said duly. I'm starving
Mary regarded the afflicted creature
with that sympathy born only Of ex-
Dcrirnrc.
Yes" she said softly. al under
stand" Then she spoke to Aggie
'TaNr her to my room and let her rest
there for awhile lave her drink the
egg and milk slowly and then lie down
for Il few minutes anyhow
Half an hour aftcrward Aggie re
ported with her charge. who, though
4tin shamhling of gait and STOPPING.
showed by some faint color in her face
and IN Increased StpHdineSS Of bearing
that the food had already strengthened
her much.
SHE would come" A=eie explained.
Il thought she ought to rest for awhile
longer anyhow
I'm all right. tell YOU" came the
pu"ruous protest.
Are you quite sure" Mary said to
The girl. "Thcn tell us all about it
this trouble of yours, You know. What
is your namc!'
Helen Norris
81 don't have to ask if YOU have been
In prison Your face shows it,
IL came out three months ago.
and you'd made up your mind to go
straight:'
YES" The word was whisper.
you were going to do what the
chaplain had told you" Mary went on
You were going to start all over
again, weren't your
The bent head Of the girl bent lower
in assent
1T doesn't work very well, does it,"
"No; I'm whipped
Mary's manner changed She spoke
cheerfully for the first time.
"Well, then, how would you like to
work with us?'
"You-you mean that
sour kind of work pays well when
yOu know how Look at US. Suppose
| should stake you for the present and
put you in with good crowd. All
you would have to do would be to an
swer advertisements for servant girls.
iii bat t1,a hnc NJ
references Then. when you get in
with the right people you will open the
front door some night and let in the
gang. OF course you will make get
away when they do and get your bit
as we'll"
There flashed still another Of the
swift, sly glances, and the lips of the
girl parted as if she would speak. But
she did not: only her head sagged even
lower on her breast and the shrunken
form grew yet more shrunken.
1T doesn't suit you? Good! was
in hopes it wouldn't So, here's anoth-
er plan. Suppose you could go west
some place where you would have a
fair chance. with money enough so
you could live like a human being till
you got a start?'
There came tensing of the relaxed
form. and the head lifted little, SO
that the girl could look at her ques-
toner.
Il will give you that chance Mary.
said simply. IF you really want it,
The wretched girl sat suddenly erect.
and her words came eagerly.
"Oh, do. And now her hungry
gaze remained fast on the face of the
woman who offered her salvation.
"Then | have just one thing to say
to you first. If you are going to live
straight start straight. and then &C
through with it. Do you know what
that means?'
You mean keep straight all the
time:" The girl spoke with force
drawn from the others strength.
Il mean more than that. l mean
forget that you were ever in prison. (
don't know what you have done-I
don't think l care. But whatever it
was, you have paid for it-a pretty big
price too"
Il have, have" The thin voice
broke, wailing.
''WelI. then" Mary went on. ''just
begin all over again, and be sure you
stand up for your rights. Don't let
them make you pay second time.
Go where no one knows you. and don't
tell the first people who are kind to
you that you have been crooked. 1t
they think you are straight. why, be
it. Then nobody will have any right
to complain. Will you promise me
this?"
Yes, / promise" came the answer.
very gravely. Quickened with hope
"Good!' Mary exclaimed. with a
smile Of approval. wait minute"
she added and left the room.
Huh. Pretty soft for some people"
Aggie remarked to Carson. with 4
sniff.
Mary returned soon. In her hand
all If