The Dolores star. [volume] (Dolores, Montezuma County, Colo.) 1901-current, 1916-09-22
CHAPTER I-Continued,

Mary Alice paid no attention to her
father, but went to Mrs. Brown and
said something in n low tone.
whats thatT' the man demanded.
"None Of that secret talk, now"
you better bring 'em up, dear" said
the mother. "I'n do 'em tonight"
Mary Alice took clothes basket and
went out.
where's the money!" asked Lem.
"She didn't Mrs. Travers didn't
pay her"
'None Of that, now. That amt SO.
You're holding out on me-"
Lem, it's the TRUTH" said Mrs.
Brown.
Mary Alice staggered up the stairs
with load Of clothes from the wagon.
and Mrs. Brown fell to sorting them.
whats them-dirty ones?" asked
Lem. SAY, where's that money? You
come through, now, or I'll show YOU"
At this moment the child in the crib
awoke and cried fretfully. Mrs. Brown
drew a cup of water at the sink and
bent over the little thing. soothing it
and offering cool drink.
cust III" Sou
gonter keep me waitin'T
He arose and strobe to his wife's
side. The sick child looked up and.
seeing its father, began to cry.
Git away" said Lem. pushing Mrs.
Brown violently. "I'll tell you what.
You gimme that money, quick, or I'll
wiring the kids neck"
1t was an inspiration of cruelty of
undoubted effectiveness. II Mrs.
Brown had possessed penny on earth.
she would have yielded 1t up with all
haste. But, lacking the resources of
ransom, there was only one thing to
do. and she did 1t. With a cry the
mother threw herself upon her tor
mentor.
Don't touch him, Lem!' she cried.
II haven't a cent. tell you; II had,
I'd give 1t to you. oh, Lem, he's so
sick! Please, please"
The drunkard struck her heavily
upon the mouth, SO that she fell against
the wall. She returned to the encoun-
ter, but at this moment Mary Alice,
ascending with the last of the soiled
Travers linen. dropped her big load
and attacked the man fiercely. He
turned upon her wolfishly, his heavy
hand closing upon her thin little shoul-
der.
Butt in, will you?" he said. Butt
in, Ell? I'll teach you"
He stopped and picked up, from the
woodbox near the range, a stick not
large enough to be called a club, but
IN hn nlv,
dable in the hands OF Lem Brown.
With 1t he aimed blow at Mary AL
ice. Throwing UP her hands, she re-
ceived the stroke crushingly upon her
fingers.
''Oh, oh!' she moaned. Mrs. Brown
screamed and would have defended
Mary Alice, but in doing so was her
self cruelty beaten. Again and again
the weapon fell. each time crushing,
bruising. decorating. Only Mary Al
ices thick, black hair saved her skull.
She had never taken such a beating
before. When 1t was over, she cow
cred in a corner. sobbing with the hor-
ror and pain of it. Mary Alice would
have prayed, but 1t looked like hope
less procedure; for If God knew all
about 1t and let 1t go on, what was the
good Of asking him to help herr He
either meant these dreadful things to
happen or He didn't care.
Lem, convinced that II money exist
ed in that house, SO much punishment
would have brought it from its hiding
place, stumped or cursing and weep
ing, with maudlin pity for a man
whose home was thus barren Of finan-
cial resource. He might come back
later, he might be gone a week, he
might be arrested before another hour
and sent away for a good. long sen.
tence. Mary Alice hoped the last
named event would occur. And it did,
although Mary Alice and her mother
were several days in finding it out.
Mrs. Brown locked tle door leading
into the hall.
'.Come dear" she said. "Undress
and let me look at you. wish had
some witch-hazel. Poor little girl, poor
little girl! Mothers SO sorry"
Mary Alice WINGED every time her
mothers fingers touched her flesh. Mrs.
Brown wept when she viewed those
ivid imprints upon the meager body
II her child. For every bruise she suf-
fered an agony Of sympathy which
dwarfed her own pain, itself NO small
thing.
The sick baby slept quietly. and Mrs.
Brown pulled his crib into the "other