French Broad hustler and Western Carolina Democrat. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1915-1916, 1916-08-03
FRAAH OR FIDELITY?
py ELSIE SEE,

VlSlIOE > RdIBCEy vi AC q
one morning, and in her smaftiy tals-
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 Abigail's father had just conclud-
ed a speech In it's faver.
While the interest was at its height,
the heavy swinging doors OF the SEN
ate chamber opened slowly and there
entered q pale; sad-faced young wom-
an who looked at the strange scene
about her in q confused way.
AS the wona slowly approached
the brass rail which formed q semi
circle dividing the senatorial desks
from the seat section for visitors, Abb
gail Thomas recognized her al Mamie
Morton, who, as Mamie Ellis, had been
her cIassmate 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 a desire to help her.
Perhaps the desire was made strong
er because Abigail was beginning to
feel remorseful about a quarrel she
had had with Stanley Worth the night
before. Stanley Worth was governor
of the state and a sutton for AbigafTs
hand. After proposing to her four
times in three months and being given
a different reasO 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 ca~prfciOusneSs.
Abigail's estimation of him went up
many points upon this show of spirit,
but a moment later it was consumed
in the heat of her wrath, as he gave
a 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
geant at arms and told him she must
speak to Senator Thomas.
II cannot promise that the governor
has taken any action" said Senator
Thomas in answer to her eager ques-
ton. MANY matters Of state claim
his attention at this time, and he may
not have had time to look into this"
but SIR" protested the woman, be-
coming holder in her suspense, 'it has
been a 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 a year In pris-
on"
II believe he Is innocent said the
senator, 'in spite of the cfrcumStan-
tial evidence indicating that he took
the money from Jabe Exfng's cash
drawer. I hope the governor will
come to see it as I 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 a smiling secretary, who
took it at Once into the governors
private Office and returned a moment
later bidding the senator enter the
g~uberpatOrial presence. AS they sat
waiting, Mamie told Abigail how ev-
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.
II am happy to give you this paper,
Mrs. Morton" he said kindly. "When
you present it to the warden Of the |
prison he will give freedom to your
husband"
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 a way hat made him won
Ger Whether his good fortune was a
dream. The smiling secretary had dis
creetly withdrawn to another room. !
STANLEY, I 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
Of n woman, at least, was not
frailty. But do you know why I have
remainder"
mo, I do not" he said, and his
voice sounded queer and unnatural.
GIVE remained to say that the fdel-
ity shown by that woman has made
me ashamed Of what you called my
frailty, and to say" Abigail paused,
and her lovely head went higher and
her clear blue eyes looked fearlessly /
into Stanley Worth's gray ones shat
If you're determined not to propose to