The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-11-21
CHAPTER VII.
The Thief.

N RARY was in joyous spirits aft
NU er her victorious matching OF
brains against lawyer of
high standing in his profess
sion when she had entered the tele-
phone booth. which had been installed
i'm an extra closet of her bedroom for
the sake Of greater privacy on occa-
sion. 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 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
cT VIII Dc utIc IlSut que Iul
ed to Carson as the maid left the
ROOM MARY sure is an easy boob"
she remarked cheerfully. BLESS her
soft heart!"
A minute later, girl perhaps twen-
ty years of age stepped just within
the doorway and stood there with eyes
downcast after one swift, furtive
glance about her. Her whole appear
ance was that of detection. Her soil
ed black gown. the cringing posture.
the pallor of her face. proclaimed the
abject misery of her state.
Are you Miss Turner she asked
in voice broken by nervous dismay.
"Really. | am very sorry" Aggie re-
piled primly. but l am only her cou-
sin. Miss Agnes Lynch. But Miss
Turner is likely to be back any min
ute now"
"Can | waltz" came the timid ques-
ton.
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"
NO" came the faint reply.
''rhen. what do you want to see her
about?''
'.She once helped girl friend of
mine. and / 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 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 question
ed
Eyes" Mary said. Her words rang
kindly and she smiled encouragement.
A gasp burst from the white lips or
the girl. and she covered as one strick-
Ell physically.
"SIary Turner. oh. my God: r.
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 immedi-
ate thought was that here was pitt
full instance of one suffering from star
vation
Joe" she directed rapidly. have
Fannie bring glass of milk with an
egg and little brandy in it. right
away"
The girl in the chair was shaking
soundlessly under the stress or her
emotions A few disjointed phrases
fell from her quivering lips.
81 didn't know-oh. couldnt!
Don't try to talk just now" Mary
warned. reassuringly. wait until
you've had something to eat.