Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-10-31
CHAPTER VIII.
The Thief.

The Thief.
Mary was in joyous spirits after her
victorious matching Of brains against
a lawyer of high standing In his pro-
fession when she had entered the tele-
phone booth, which had been INSTALL
ed in an extra closet Of her bedroom
for the sake Of greater privacy on oc-
casion. During her absence from the
drawing room Carson again came into
the apartment seeking her. On being
told by Aggie as to Mary's where
abouts he sat down to await her re-
turn, listening without much interest
to the chatter Of the adventures. The
maid appeared and said:
There's a girl wants to see Miss
Turner"
"She says it's important / guess
the poor things in hard luck from the
look Of her." the kindly Fannie added.
"oh, then. she'll be welcome. Of
course!" Aggie declared, and Carson
nodded in acQuiescence. Tell her to
come In and wait, Fannie. Miss Turn
er will be here right away" She turn
ed to Carson as the maid left the
room. Mary sure 10 an easy boob,
she remarked cheerfully. BLESS her
soft heart!"
A minute later a girl perhaps TWEEN
ty years of age stepped just within the
doorway and stood there with eyes
downcast after one swift, furtive glance
about her. Her whole appearance was
that of detection. Her soiled black
gown, the cringing posture. the pallor
of her face, proclaimed the adject mis-
cry Of her state.
"Are you Miss Turner" she asked
in a voice broken by nervous dismay.
Really, am very sorry" Aggie re-
piled primly, ."but am only her cous-
in, Miss Agnes Lynch. But Miss Tur-
ner is likely to be back any minute
now."
Can I waltz" came the timid ques-
tion. ..
Certainly" Aggie answered hospi-
tably. please sit down."
As the girl obediently sank down on
the nearest chair Carson addressed
her sharply, so that the visitor started
uneasily at the unexpected sound.
"You don't know Miss Turner"
mo-" came the faint reply.
Then, what do you want to see her
about?"
"She once helped girl friend OF
mine, and I thought thought
you thought she might help you,'
Carson interrupted.
You have been in stir--prison, ]
mean" Aggie hastily corrected the
lapse into underworld slang.
Came a distressed muttering Of as
sent from the girl.
The conversation was put to an end
by the entrance Of Mary, who stopped
short on seeing the limp figure hud-
died in the chair.
"A visitor, Agnes?" she inquired.
At the sound Of her voice the girl
looked up and spoke with some degree
of energy.
You're Miss Turner" she ques-
toned.
Yes" Mary said. Her words rang
kindly and she smiled encouragement
A gasp burst from the white lips OF
the girl, and she covered as one
stricken physically.
Mary Turner! Oh, my God! T.
She hid her face within her arms and
sat bent until her head rested on her
knees in an abasement of misery.
Vaguely startled by the hysterical
outburst from the girl, Mary's imme-
diate thought was that here was a pit
iful instance Of one suffering from
starvation.
Joe" she directed rapidly, have
Fannie bring a glass Of milk with an
egg and little brandy in it, right
away"
The girl in the chair was shaking
soundlessly under the stress Of her
emotions. A few disjointed phrases
fell from her quivering lips.
Il didn't know-oh, couldn't"
Don't try to talk just now." Mary
warned, reassuringly. Wait until
you've had something to eat"
Aggie, who had observed develop
ments closely, now lifted her voice In
tardy lamentations over her own stu
pidity.
why the poor gawk's hungry" she
exclaimed. And l never got the dope
on her. Amt the simp."
The girl regained a degree of sell
control and showed something Of for
lorn dignity.
Yes" she said DULY, I'm starv,
ing"
Mary regarded the afflicted creature
with that sympathy born only Of ex-
perience.
YES" she said softly. Il under
stand" Then she spoke to Aggie
Take her to my room and let her rest
there for awhile. Have her drink the
egg and milk slowly and then lie dowr
for a few minutes anyhow"
Half an hour afterward Aggie re-
ported with her charge. who, though
still shambling Of gait and STOPPING
showed by some faint color in hel
face and an increased steadiness OF