The Glasgow courier., 1916-04-14
there now. a sweet-faced matronly


looking woman of middle age, rather |
old-fashioned in her dress, and young |
girl Of about twenty-five who was d. |
vided between nervous fears and
youthful zest. She was destined to he |
the next witness, and DR.. Foster smiled |
Involuntary when he saw her. Most |
people smiled at Amy. for that matter.
and laughter, but for all that. her gai-
ETY. was backed up by the shrewdness
Of the modern girl who fights her own
battles promptly and successfully.
Her tailored suit and soft blouse
open ut the throat were smartly cut,
and her hat was a hint daring in Its
shape and the way it was tilted over
her little nose. and when the bailiff
called her name, Miss Amy Barton"
her agitation led her to tip It at an even
more dangerous angle as she tried to
powder her nose and kiss her mother
at the same time.
I'm scared blue!' she confded to
the other witnesses in a shaky voice.
"A first night Is cinch to this What
do I have to say?"
"Hou have only to answer questions"
said Or. Foster. land there is really
nothing to be frightened about"
Il suppose not" she answered as she
went through the door, "but wouldn't
care anyway, Id 60 be hanged If it
would help Mary"
Under the careless words there was
a sudden deeper note of sincerity. and
the moment she was Oh the stand
she turned to the judge and said:
Il don't know what l am supposed
to do. your Honor. but want to tell
you right here, that Mary Page is the
best and the bravest and the truest
girl in the whole wide world"
For the first time the Judge smiled;
then he leaned forward and said
kindly:
1.-THE Court appreciates your admira.
tion for the prisoner. but you must
confine your remarks. while on the
stand, to the answers to questions
which will be asked you.''
"Oh. yes. was told that" she an
swered readily. But forgot" Then
turning to L.angdon she added cheerily,
"Fire away. Mr.. I.angdon. I'm all
ready,
A little gust Of laughter rippled
| through the court. Then Langdon,
coming close to the witness stand, said
quietly:
Miss Barton, you know the defend
ant. Mary Page. do your
"Why. of course do. you goat" she
answered with bubbling laugh that
found an echo In the room. But Lang
don frowned. and his voice was more
harsh as he said, please answer yes,
or no. and remember that If you want
to aid Miss Page. you must make your
answers short and to the point. Now
will you please tell the court just
when and how you first met Miss
Page""
1T was some years ago, and she and
her mother came to our apartment
with note from Cousin Alice COwes,
who lived in New Town. Cousin Alice
had sent them to us because she knew
we had an extra room we wanted to
rent. and she thought that could help
Mary land a job
What sort Of-er--pOsitiOn?"
"in the merry -merry-that is, on the
stage. Id been across the foots my.
self for Il couple of seasons and Cousin
Alice said Mary wanted to become al
actress and thought could show her
how to make the rounds. It's a tough
proposition getting a Job in New York
with no friends and no pull
will you tell the court. please, Miss
Barton. about the first position secured
by Miss Page and Of the events that
led up to it:'' ...
"Well, it just happened that the day
Mary hit the big town | had a date
steal comedies. OF course he isn't the
sort that you'd want to send your lit
tie sister from the country to see. but
too mich hedging don't go in the show
business worth whoop. You've got t
trust to a sharp tongue and hat-pil
till you show them where they get off
and once they're wise. they treat yol
all right. Webster was like that, bu
if he promises you part he plays fair
so l never was afraid to buck his Of
fice-boy even on busy day. So of
we went.
II had an appointment with the ole
man. but he was scrapping with one
of his romantic leads'-you could heal
them clear out to the front lall-and Il
was long time before ! could per
suade his little cerberus to go IN ant
tell him was waiting. At any rate
he came out at last blowing blasts q
red fire after the actOr-and then HI
saw Mary. Talk about lions and lambs
Why, he purred when he saw her. ant
he was so sweet to me l almost got {
leading lady's contract out Of him he
fore he woke up, and began to ask MI
questions about Mary. Then he triet
to kiss her and put An inch or SO O
my hat pin In his arm just above tn
elbow, Mary and I beat IL while tn