Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-12-11

he reminded. speaking very deferens
TALLY. yet with insistence.
"Oh. III apologize" he said with a
wry smile of discontinue. "I'l make
things even up a bit when I get al
apology from Gaskell. l shrewdly
suspect that that estimable gentleman
is going to eat humble pie. Of my bak-
ing. from his wife's recipe. And his
will be an honest apology. which mine
won't" And he left the room.
1t was on this same day that Sa-
rah. on M of her numerous trips
through the store in behalf of Glider.
was ~accosted by a salesgirl. whose
know.
What on earth do you want?" Sarah
inquired snappishly.
What did they do to Mary Turner"
"They sent her to prison for three
years."
"Three years." The salesgirl had re-
peated the words in a tone that was in
deinable, yet Il tone vehement in it's in
credulous questioning. Three years."
she said again. as one refusing to be-
lieve.
Yes, three years."
Good God" There was no 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
7 Mary Turner. What's it to you. I'd
like to know"
The salesgirl started violently, and
a deep flush drove the accustomed pal
lor from her cheeks. She vas 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 u monotone of desolation
as she went on speaking in u whisper
meant for the ears of no other. cts
awful-three years. Oh, I didn't I'M
derstand! 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 a 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 nan stood beside her. one Of his
hands clasped around the girls wrist.
1t was Cassidy, from headquarters.
who spoke in a rough, Indifferent voice.
"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 ven 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. "1'm terribly sorry. terribly
sorry
The girl did not look up. She stood
still. swaying a little. as If from weak
ness.
"Are you?" she said. II did not
know. Nobody has been zeal 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 ove 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, busting activity that was ordi
narily expressed in his every move-
ment. He paused as he beheld the two
secretary.
You may go. Sarah. will ring
when ] wish you again"
There followed an interval OF silence
while ths sacFeJDry was laDytny the NJ,