The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-05
SYNOPSIS

red birthmark on his hand, has served his third prison term. One in each Bor- den generation, always criminal, has borne the Red Circle mark. Jim and his son Ted, are killed. Next day Lamar sees the Red Circle on a woman's hand outside curtained automobile. June, marked with the Red Circle, robs Grant, 8 loan shark. Mary, June's nurse, dis covers her theft and tells her she it Circle Jim's' daughter, though Mrs Travis does not know. Mary tricks La mar. Lamar visits Smiling Sam," Jim s old crime partner. Sent to Surfton by Smiling Sam Alma La Sa1le robs the guests at ball. Lamar follows her back to town, captures her with the jewels, and goes after Smiling Sam On the edge of cliff pursuer and pur- sued engage In deadly combat. Cor don. a fugitive, rescues Lamar, and June in turn save Gordon from arrest Smiling Sam sees the Red Circle on June's hand tells her he knows her secret and follows her to her city home She helps Gordon to get away, after re- covering for him the securities receipt which incriminates him by tricking Farwell and Lamar. Lamar suspects June. He captures Smiling Sam. Gordon gives himself up. As he tells June his love, Lamar sees the Red Circle on her hand. Eagan betrays June and dies at tempting to escape. June is arrested.
 
 Gordon, from the very opening of the trial, struggled with every atom of brain and body to bolster up a hopeless case. He warred against overwhelming odds and never yielded a single step without fierce opposition.
 Yet the trials result was foregone conclusion.
 One the very last day of the trial, Mrs. Travis created a painful scene by rushing into court and throwing her arms around June. weepingly declaring herself a wicked old woman for having turned her back to the girl and vow ing that never again would she forsake her
 Mrs. Travis (her family pride and re- sentiment swept away by a sudden inn pulse of love toward the stricken girl she had abandoned) held June close pressed to her heart and cried out sob bingly to the judge:
 ''She is mine! She is my own little girl. And you shan't send her to prison!"
 The jury was out less than half an hour and returned grimly to the box with the unanimous verdict of guilty"
 June did not finch as she heard the word; the most terrible word in all our language. The same strange light that had come into her face on the night when she had refused to escape, still glowed there. Calm, unafraid, she list ened to the verdict
 With the same calmness, she rose and stood facing the judge, to receive her sentence.
 The judge was an old man. He had known June from babyhood. He had been a close friend of Mrs. Travis husband in the early days; and was still constant visitor at the Travis home. June pitied him for the grim task that was now his.
 Prisoner at the bar said the judge, his deep voice untinged my any emo ton. "A jury of your peers has found you guilty on every count of the various verdict. In view of the evidence, 1t was the only verdict the jury could hon estly have agreed upon.
 My own duty is equally clear he went on. The law, through it's admin istrators, must protect the public. By virtue of my office, it is my prerogative to decide to what extent you are a men ace to the public; and to act accordingly. While there can be no reasonable doubt that you committed the crimes wherewith you were charged, yet it has also been establish ed-to the courts satisfaction, at least-that those crimes were com mitted under the stress of certain psychic influence. The court is also con- vinced that that evil influence no longer exists. It is the courts belief that the influence will not return, and that you will thus be no longer a menace to so- ciety.
 Therefore, I hereby release you, on parole-in the custody of Mrs. Travis. T."
 The remainder of his speech was drowned in tumult of applause that the court made no imperative effort to check
 A new year dragged by. A long, bitter. year to Max Lamar, who had found himself unable to shake June's resolve, and who, to keep his promise, had forced himself to remain at distance from her.
 One early spring day he sat in his private office listlessly going over some papers in a case he was preparing. The warmth and beauty of the day called to him, through the open window. But a heavy heart.
 The office door opened, slowly, as if pushed by timid fingers. Max did not turn his head.
 Suddenly two soft hands were pressed across his eyes; and his head was gent ly drawn back against a woman's breast. With an unbelieving cry of utter joy he sprang to his feet
 The next instant June Travis was in his arms.
 Maxi" she faltered, when at last he let her speak. Twelve come-as promised--to tell you the Red Circle is gone and that it will never come back. And-and to ask you if youd-if you'd care to replace it-with another circle? A gold one, this time. -with-with diamond in it!'
 (THE END.)