Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1915-09-22

| tuuC l was WOEtu SOucluAlS, dACc1 ia.
1t has been very dark to me since
Mae Here the unfortunate mother
found relief in tears, being unable to
say more.
When the paroxysm Of grief was
over Mrs. Mobray dried her eyes and
spoke brokenly. Il know 1t is wrong
for me to nurse my sorrow as l do,
but l have been 50 crushed. If it had
not been for DR.. Rutledge I should
have gone mad and died long before
this"
When Mrs. Mobray began to weep
Of the widows arms and had led Alb
raham into an adjoining room, so that
the minister's wife and Mrs. Mobray
were left alone.
1.-THE world will grow brighter to you
after awhile" said Mrs. Rutledge.
do not despair. There is much to
live for, you know"
"Who is the young lady, Miss Ora
ham, who is with your asked Mrs.
Mobray.
Don't you know Joy Graham?"
said the other, in surprise. "She often
sings at the church. She is engaged
to be married to Mr.. Gregory"
II thought I had seen her BEFORE"
said the woman. "but, you know,
have not been able to get out to
church for a long time. only was
able to attend very few of the taber-
nacle meetings. Did you say that she
is engaged to be married."
EYES," responded Mrs. Rutledge in a
low voice. "She and Mr.. Roland Greg
DRY are to be married in the fall"
do you mean the Mr.. Gregory who
owns the factory where Mae worked?"
"Yes," responded Mrs. Rutledge
II don't think he's good man." said
the mother. her tears coming back.
Mae used to tell me of the kind of
place the factory was when she first
went there. She didn't complain about
it after their big strike, but I am afraid
the poor girl allowed the influence of
the place to spoil her."
The poor mother seemed glad to re-
lieye her soul by telling in detail all
that she knew in regard to her daugh.
ter. II wanted to tell all this to some
one she said as she finished, "but it
Is a terrible thing for me to speak of
these things unless to some one like
you.
Here Is the ring Mae had on her
| finger" said the woman tearfully,
handing a beautiful marriage ring to
Mrs. Rutledge. II did not say any
thing about this to any one before, as
thought I would let the poor girls
secret die with her, but something
truth
you will feel better after this con-
fession," said Mrs. Rutledge sympa-
thetically. II will give this ring to
DR.. Rutledge. 1t will help solve the
tragedy and may prevent another.
There are some men in our modern
American life. often in honored posi-
tons, whose private lives are unspeak.
able"
what did she talk to you about for
SO long when you were together?"
asked Joy later, moved by a not un-
|
"She was telling me some more Of
the details connected with the sad fate
of her daughter. l cannot tell you
about 1t now, but some time I will.
DR.. Rutledge asked me to find out"
That evening Mrs. Rutledge told her
husband Mrs. Mobray's story in full
and also gave him the ring which the
woman had given her.
II thought there was more that she
knew" said Allan Rutledge seriously
when his wife had finished. Il have
some dark suspicious already, but I
will not allow them to influence me
until l get proof. If Mae Mobray was
murdered there must be something
done. Justice must not become a BY
word in Bronson just because the vic
tim happens to be poor girl.'
II was telling Mrs. Mobray about
your plan to make her official baby
tender at the church." said the wife a
little later, "and she seemed delighted
with the prospects. We must arouse
the woman and get her interested In
some kind Of work. Her condition was
pitiable when l called today, but
think Joy and I did her some good"
"What a treasure of a girl Joy Gra-
ham is" said DR.. Rutledge enthusiast
tically. But can't bear the thought
Of her marrying Roland Gregory
'She spoke to me this afternoon
about Roland. She thinks it is part Of
her duty to win him to the better life"
II never believed in this business of
marrying men to reform them. It
never worked yet, and it never will.
It only means broken hearts and two
wrecked lives instead of one" The
minister spoke earnestly and added,
II am going to preach soon from the
text BE not unequally yoked together
with unbelievers,' and shall say some
pertinent things on this very subject"
"Your sermon will be too late to
help JOY" said the wife, shaking her
head 'She has already plighted her
roth to Roland, and she feels that she
Is already bound to him. She spoke to
me little about it today"
! DR.. Rutledge looked grave, and the
conversation was interrupted by the
entrance Of little Abraham in his pa
jamas to say good night The mother
left the room with her son. and Allan
Rutledge sat alone with his thoughts.
In his hand he still held the ring
which Mrs. Mobray had given to his
WIFE He lO0kad At tho GOLD hand for