The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1916-07-25
FRAIln OR FIDELITY
BY ELSIE SEE.

ADIH1li IUOIndt WdH Stdttu ~ tht
visitors gallery Of the state senate
one morning, and in her smartly tall
ored black silk suit and a lowered
hat her fair beauty was even more
pronounced than usual. The senate
was discussing a bill for the control
of public utilities by city governments,
and Abigails father had justs conclud-
ed a speech in It's favor.
While the interest was at its height,
the heavy swinging doors Of the SEN
ate chamber opened slowly and there
entered a pale, sad-faced young WON
an who looked at the strange scene
about her in a confused way.
AS the woman slowly approached
the brass rail which formed semi
circle dividing the senatorial desks
from the seat section for visitors, Abb
gail Thomas recognized her ms Mamie
Norton who, as Mamie Ellis, had been
her classmate In grammar school.
Only a day or two before, Senator
Thomas had spoken Of the efforts
Mamie was making to have her hus-
band pardoned from state prison, and
when Abigail saw her standing there
she felt desire TO help her.
Perhaps the desire was made strong
er because Abigail was beginning to
] feel remnrsefnl about a-nunrrel4 she
had had with Stanley Worth the night
before. Stanley Worth was governor
! OF the siuie ami a suijur Tor apiguifs
hand. After proposing to her four
times in three months and being given
different reason each time for her
refusal, he had told her that although
he honestly loved her he would not
longer furnish her opportunities for
indulging her capriciousness.
Abigail's estimation of him went up
many points upon this show of spirit,
but moment later it was consumed
in the heat of her wrath, as he gave
semitragic quotation of "Frailty,
thy name is woman" So the quarrel
continued until Abigail said to her
self that she would make him suffer
for that contemptuous SANDER of her
sex.
Mamie Morton approached the SER
ScdIll ut uTIHS anu lOlu ullu Slc luuSlI
speak to Senator Thomas.
81 cannot promise that the governorI
has taken any action" said Senatorl
Thomas in answer to her eager ques-
ton. "Many matters of state claim
his attention at this time, and he mayI
not have had time to look into this."i
'But SIR" protested the woman, be-
coming holder in her suspense, at has
been whole week since the petitions
from our citizens and the Judge and
jury who tried poor Henry were sent
to his Office. Henry is innocent, sir,
and has already served year in pris-
on" aatf
II believe he Is innocent" said the
senator Gin spite of the circumstan-
tial evidence indicating that he took
the money from Jabe Ewing's cash
drawer. 1 hope the governor will
come TO see it as l do. Come with
me, and we will see what has been
DONE"
"And let me go, too, won't you,
dad?' asked Abigail, who surprised
her father by Joining them and greet
ing Mamie cordially.
When they reached the governors
suite of offices, Senator Thomas gave
his card to smiling secretary, whe
took it at once into the governors
private Office and returned moment
later bidding the senator enter the
gubernatoriai presence. AS they sat
waiting, Mamie told Abigail how ey-
erything pointed to Henry's innocence.
AS the door Of the inner office
opened, Mamie stopped talking and
started from her seat as Senator
Thomas entered, followed by the gov
ernor. The governor handed Mamie
Morton "a long folded paper bearing
the state seal.
Il am happy to give you this paper,
Mrs. Norton" he said kindly "When
you present it to the warden of the
prison he will give freedom to your
husband" Ae
Senator Thomas quickly guided Ma
mie to the door and out through the
long corridors to the entrance of the
building.
In the governors Office, Abigail
turned and walked up to Stanley
Worth in way that made him won
der whether his good fortune was a
dream. The smiling secretary had dis
creetly withdrawn to another room.
STANLEY, came here partly to help
that poor woman by being with her in
her distress and partly TO be present
when you have to recognize that the
name of one woman, at leass was not
frailty. But do you know Why havel
mo, do not" he said, and his
voice sounded queer and unnatural.
tive remained to say that the fidel-I
ity shown by that woman has madeI
me ASHAMED Of what you called my
frailty, and to say" Abigail paused,
and her lovely head went higher andI
her clear blue eyes looked fearlesslyl
into Stanley Worth's gray ones. "thad
II you're determined not to propose to-
me again, then I'll take ADVANTAGE
Df lam uaar and ..rnnoo.. - -.