The Washington herald., 1916-07-30

Inc "aTueh-dnother hokeson appointee
was informed that Tom was an un-
wontedly brutal and hardened criminal
and that Rokeson would like to see him
well disciplined.
That was Tom Morrisseys introduc-
ton to a living death-to extra hard
labor'-to extra penalties, to a course
OF treatment warranted to crush the
hardest spirit, in short to the mercy of
the merciless.
Much that is horrible goes on behind
prison bars, and the public never learns
of it. victim is at last released and
tells his story. His testimony Is brand
ed as the lie of an ex-convict. And the
abuses go merrily on
Tom was released from prison at the
end OF his term, and was sent back to
his native town with the knowledge that
the Rokeson-ruled police had instruc-
tions to watch him as a dangerous char
acter.
His cnce buoyant step had taken on
the prison drag" His formerly square
shoulders were bent. His tanned and
ruddy complexion was sallow. His eyes
were lack-lustre and Al hopeless as those
OF a beaten dog. His heart was dead
within him. On his flesh were scars that
bore witness to nameless cruelties.
Thus marred, body ana soul, he was
turEed out upon a world that had been
forewarned to shun or punish him. In
short, he was an ex-convict And hun
dreds. just like him, are sent forth from
prisons. every day" to take up again
the burden of life with just the same
hideOus handicap.
Another event Of local importance oc-
CURED on the day Of Toms release.
Henry ROkeson came home from Vienna.
His term of service, as attache there.
had expired. His father had died six
NFaToHl he P1E
back to take into his hand the reigns of
civic ard financial power that had slipped
from Hinkle ROkeson's dead fingers.
In the multiplicity OF his interests in
Vienna. the memory of Mabel MOrrissey
had half faded from Henry's mind. But
.as the sight Of his old surroundings re-
vived ancient reCOllections. so the
thought Of Mabel now flashed back upon
him with an irresistible power.
With 1t awoke the former yearning
for her love: the resolve he had once
made that she should be his wife. He
made inquiries at once. through a de-
tective agency. And. within two hours,
he had learned the uninspiring history of
the girls life during the past two years.
Toms trial-fruitless as his defense
had proven-had eaten deep into his saw
lhgs. On his departure to prison the lit
tie cottage had been given up by his
mother and sister; since they could no
longer continue paying the loan assoCi-
ation's installments upon it. They had
moved to a cheap three-room suite in
4 poor quarter of the town. And Mabel
had sought work in a neighboring box
factory. On her wages she and her
mother had barely managed TO keep body
and soul together.
arisen. Mrs, Morrissey, always delicate.
had fallen seriously i'll. The doctor had
said that nothing but a year in the
AdirOndacks could save her. And "a
year in the Adirondack is not paid for
out of the wages of a box factory opera
tive
All this. Henry Rokeson learned,
and smiled contentedly as he heard
the report Then he wrote a note
and dispatched it to Mabel at the
box factory by his own valet
Mabel was starting for home at the
end Of a hard days work. when the
note was handed TO her. She read it
as she walked hOmeward. Half
aloud. and in Grass wonder. she read:
/ Dear Miss Moryisey: I have just
returned from Europe. and chanced
to hear. this noon. of your financial
! plight. II you will do me the honor
| to call at my house at $40 this
evening. I should like to talk over
with you position that I have in
mind-a position that will bring you
. in more than enough money to send
/ your mother to the Adirondacks.
| "I trust you will avail yourself OF
this opportunity, as it will permit me
/ to atone, in part, for the past, and
unjust persecution OF your unhappy
! brother. am anxious to make
amends. Won't you give me the
chance? If not for my own sake fol-
your sick mothers? Faithfully yours
HENRY ROKESON.-
Mabel thrust the letter into the
breast of her blouse. She was des-
perate over her mothers illness. Much
as she loathed the idea of accepting
. help from Henry Rokeson. or Of aiding
him to lessen his very just remorse
she felt she had no right to decline
the offer. Her mothers life migh'
depend on il.
/ Up the long stairs to their tenement
home she hurried. forcing herself tc
smile cheerily as she entered hel
! mothers room. AS soon as supper
was eaten and cleared away. she made
an excuse to go out.
Two minutes later Tom came home
: Opening the door Of the suite ht
, looked about him in horror at the
squalid poverty of the rooms. ThI
with a cry of Mother, Mother" ht
flung himself upon his knees at Mrs
Morriseys bedside.
! With his mothers arms about hi!
neck and his mothers dear voice whis
pering love words In his ear. he was
! for the moment, almost happy; fol
! the first time in two fearful years
I Presently, he asked:
J where is Mabel"
She had to go out to see about Z
position" said his mother. She will
be back in a little while. Go to the
kitchen and get yourself some supper
I dear You look famished. I wisl
mamma were strong enough to get VI
and wait on her darling boy. Oh. Tom
! it is so wonderful to have you at home
again"
AS he crossed the kitchen Tom'
eye fell upon a crumpled letter tina
lay on the floor where it had dropped
from Mabers blouse. He picked it VI
its envelope was gone-and his eyt
fell on Henry Rokeson's signature. II
unbelieving dismay he read the mis-
sive. Then, snatching up his hat ht
rushed from the house.
! Mabel. arriving at the Rokeson man
! sion, was conducted by a man servan
to the library where Henry sat await
ing her. He rose eagerly to gree
her. She ignored his outstretchec
hand and said coldly in reply to hi:
fervid greeting: