The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1916-07-15
,eoprslcn1. 1915. 81 At,rsr pAr'oS TfRnUHt

pose he's arranged to meet him. He'll
bear watching. too, now that his old
man $ out
Max Lamar was not the prison only
voluntary guest that noon. The grim
old archway leading to hopelessncss
was graCcd by the presence Of two
women who were frequent and. vel
come visitors TO the place-Juue
Travis and her sweot-faced mother.
June was a girl OF rare beauty. both
Of soul and Of face. Impatient at the
idle, futile life OF the girls in her own
walk OF life, she had chosen TO change
much Of her comfortable leisure into
toll in behalf OF released prisoners.
Today June had heard that Circle
Jim Bordcn's sentence was to expire
at noon So noon found her and her
mother in the warden's Office, await
ing the convict's appearance.
The door of the wardcns Office
opened a keeper stepped into the
room. ushering in a square-built man
of fifty
The man with the keeper was clad
in an Hitting suit of gray; bearing
in its every badly cut line the unmis-
| taxable sign of 'prisonmade.
Yet, in that heavy face were marks
of intellect. character. power. At
sight Of him. Junes heart gave a
queer little throb. She did not know
why.
The warden rose to his feet. smil-
ing. and stretching out his hand to
the newcomer.
"Good-by. jim" he said. pleasantly.
Il hope you're going to take a brace
this time. You can do it, if you try.
There's plenty of chance for you yet,
! if"
His professionally cheerful voice
! gradually died away, and his out
stretched hand dropped to his side
as he saw the sulleI contempt in the
| convict's sunken eyes.
Circle" Jim said no word in reply
He made no move to accept the prof
! fered hand. Then, as the warden
ceased to speak the man turned TO
leave the room.
Hold on. Jim interposed the war
den. This young lady wants to speak
to you"
You are going to let Ire help you"
| she pleaded. You are going to let
me be of use to you-to be your
| friend?"
Friend" grimly repeated Borden.
the prison "rasp" making his deep
voice sound as though it needed oil
ing. Friend? He'll"
But ! want to help you" she
urged. undaunted. Il want you to
make a man of yourself. 1t is not too
late. If not for your own sake, then
for your wife's-"
| A spasm of pain twisted the heavy
features. But az once he regained
| control OF himself.
My wife" he said, shortly. lis
dead"
oh, I'm SO sorry so sorry" said
June in quick sympathy. But-but
surely you have someone - some
! daughter or son-for whose sake you
can live honestly. Some son. perhaps,
for whom you can set a splendid ex.
ample of manhood-of-"
Circle" Jim shook away her gentle
! hand. in a violent shudder. Then he
bolted from the room, pushing past
the keeper who, after an inquiring
glance at the warden. let him go.
You see how it is. Miss Travis,
began the warden.
But June was not there. She had
sped after the retreating convict
Mrs. Travis. worried at her daughter S
impetuous pursuit of such a hopeless
case. babe the warden good-by and
followed
Meantime. as a guard threw open
the gate leading from the prison to
the street outside, June caught VI
with Borden.
Il hurt your feelings. I'm afraid
she accosted him timidly. as he
paused a moment, irresOlute. on the
pavement. But I didn't mean to
Honestly. didn't. And I'm sorry.
Please forgive me. Mr.. Borden.
know how bitterly you must feel to,
ward everyone. But ! do want you to
let me do something for you. If il
angers you to have me talk TO you,
won't you at least take this. to help
you along until you can find steady
work.
AS she spoke. she drew from her
wristbag n little roll Of bills; and
thrust them into the ConviCt's cal
ioused left hand.
The well-meant act scourged Ror.
den. from ContcmptuOus apathy. into
flaming rage. His gnarled fist gripped
tight on the money. crushing it to a
wad. Then he flung il to the pave,
ment and turned sharply away.
Again the girl sought to detain him.
At her touch he whirled savagely up.
on her: his lips drawn back from his
! ycllCwcd teeth. his left fist clcnchcd
| and halfraiscd. as II to strike.
/ This was too much for the chiyalrOus
gate guard lie flung himself upon
/ Borden. catching the appraised arm
ard thruEting him back from the
frightened girl. The thrust sent Cir
49,.