The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-10-17

| knees in an abasement of misery.
 Vaguely startled by the hyster1cal outburst from the girl, Mary's immedi bate thought was that here was pitt 1 full instance of one suffering from star 1 vation.
 .Joe,'s she directed rapidly, have Fannie bring a glass of milk with an egg and a 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.
 1sI didn't know-oh, couldn'tE'
 =t'Don't try to talk just now,' Mary warned reassurfngiy. Wait until you've had something to eat.
 Agg1e, 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 'tAnd I never got the dope on her. .Ain't I the simp!''
 The girl regafned degree of self control and showed something of for lorn dignity.
 "Yes,'' she said duly, stI'm starving" :"
 Mary regarded the afflicted creature with that sympathy born only of ex- perience.
 ~Yes," she said softly. "I under stand'' Then she spoke to Aggfe. fsTake her to my room and let her rest there for awhile. Have her drink the egg and milk slowly and then lie down for few minutes anyhow.
 Half an hour afterward Aggie re ported with her charge, who, though still shambling of gait and stepping, showed by some faint color in her face and an increased steadiness of bearing that the food had already strengthened her much.
 sshe would come" Aggie explained, q thought she ought to rest for awhile longer anyhow
 sTm all right, tell you.'' came the querulous protest
 s.Are you quite sure?" Mary said to the girl. e.Then tell us all about it. this trouble of yours, you know. What is your name?''
 s.Helen Morris.''
 's1 don't have to ask if you have been in prison Your face shows it.
 aI-I came out-three months ago.
 aAnd you'd made up your mind to go straight 2H
 ~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 you P
 The bent head of the girl bent lower in assent.
 .sIt doesn't work very well. does it?"
 'sNo; I'm whipped
 Mary's manner changed. She spoke cheerfully for the first time.
 Well, then, how would you like to work with us P
 sYou-you mean that
 .sOur kind of work pays wen when you know how. Look at us. Suppose I should stake you for the present and put you in with a good crowd All you would have to do would be to an swer advertisements for servant girls. I will see that you have the best of 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 bis as wedL1
 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 grew yet more SQTunkGl.s
 ..It doesn't suit you? Good! was in hopes it wouldn't. So, here's anofh- CT plan. Suppose you could go west some place where you would have a l fair chance. with money enough so l you could live like a human being till you got q start
 There came q feasfng of the relaxed form and the head lifted q little, So that the girl could look at her ques- toner
 T will give you that chance Mary | said simply. if you really want it
 The wretehed girl sat suddenly erect, and her words came eagerly.
 "Oh, l dor. 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 go through with it. Do you know what | that means2,'
 You mean keep straight all the timer" The girl spoke with. force drawn from the others strength.
 T mean more than that. I mean | forget that you were ever in prison. I | don't know what you have done-I l don't think I care. But whatever 1t was, you have paid for it-a pretty big price too.''
 T have, I haver' The thin voice broke, wafling
 Well. then.'' Mary went on, ssjust begin all over again, and be sure you stand up for your rights. Don't let them make you pay second time. So where no one knows you, and don't tell the first people who are kind to you that you have been crooked. IT hey think you are straight, why, be t Then nobody will have any right ,o complain. Will you promise me his ?'' s| '.Yes, promise" came the answer, 7ery gravely, qufckened with hope. "Good! Mary exclaimed, with 8 mile Of approval. Wait a mfnute,''