The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1913-11-07
CHAPTER w.
Inferno.

"HE ineXOrable voice went on In
it's monotone. as if he had not
spoken.
And when you are really
sick and have to stop work what are
YOU going to do then? Do you know.
Mr.. Glider, that the first time straight
girl steals it's often because she had to
have a doctor--or some luxury like
that? And some Of them do worse
than steal Yes. they do-girls that
started straight and wanted to stay
that way. But. Of course, some of
them get so tired of the whole grind
that-that"-
"I'm not their guardian. can't
watch over them after they leave the
store, They are paid the current rate
Of wages-as much as any other store
pays" AS he spoke the anger pro-
voked by this unexpected assault on
him out Of the mouth of a convict
famed high in virtuous reputation.
why" he went on vehemently. mo
man living does more for his employ
=
their fine rest rooms upstairs? did!
Who gave them the cheap lunc hrooms
did"
But you won't pay them enough to
live onr'
IT pay them the same as the other
stores do" he repeated sullenly.
but you won't pay them enough to
live onr'
"And so you claim that you were
forced to steal. That's the plea you
make for yourself and your friends"
II wasn't forced to steal" came the
answer, spoken in the monotone that
had marked her utterance throughout
most Of the interview. II wasn't fore
ed to steal, and didn't steal But. all
the same. that's the plea, as you call
It, that I'm making for the other girls.
There are hundreds Of them who steal
because they don't get enough to eat.
said would tell you how to stop the
stealing. Well. have done it. Give
the girls fair chance to be honest.
You asked me for the names, Mr.. Gil
der. There's only one name on which
to put the blame for the whole bust
ness, and that name is Edward Glider!
Now. won't you do something about
it!"
At that naked question the owner of
the store jumped up from his chair and
stood glowering at the girl who risked
request so full of vituperation against
himself
How dare you speak to me like
this!' he Numbered
why. dared,' Mary Turner ex-
planned. because you have done all
the harm you can to me. And now I'm
trying to give you the chance to do
better by the others. You ask me why
dare, have a right to dare. 1 have
been straight all my life. have want
ed decent food and warm clothes and
"a little happiness all the time | have
worked for you, and | have gone with
out those things just to stay straight.
The end of it all is, you are sending
me to prison for something I didn't do.
That's why darer'
Glider could not trust himself just
then to an audible command. He was
seriously disturbed by the gently spo-
Ken truths that had issued from the
girls lips. He was not prepared with
any answer, though he holly resented
every word Of her accusation.
cassidy faced about. and in his
movement there was tug at the wrist
OF the girl that set her moving toward
the door. Her realization Of what this
meant was shown in her final speech.
Ihree years isn't forever" she said
In a level voice. when I come ont
you are going to pay for every minute
OF them. Mr.. Glider. There won't be
day or an hour that won't remem-
Der that at the last it was your word
sent me to prison. And you are going
- pay me for that. You are going to
pay me for the FIVE years have starv.
eu making money for you-that too!
iou are going to pay me for all the
'hlnSs am losing today. and
Inc girl thrust forth her left hand
on that side where stood the officer
90 vigorous was her movement that
Iassldys clasp was thrown off the
wrist. But the bond between the two
was not broken, for from wrist to
wrist showed taut the steel chain OF
'he manacles The girl shook the links
or the handouts in a gesture stronge,
than words
on are going to pay me for this!'