Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1921-07-30
The Warden's
Daughter
Vs, 1921, Western Newspaper Unlon. }
BY HAZEL SMITH

dISoWned Richard Brewster when he
was sentenced to serve five years in
the Alabama penitentiary for forgery.
he had still enough influence to have
his escape made easy for him. At
twenty-five, the second son Of old Peter
Brewster, the millionaire, he suddenly
found himself bereft of everything that
meant life to him. For three years he
clerked in the warden's office, dream
inc Of the time when he would be free
once more. He would obtain money
from his puritanical old father, who
had disowned him, in spite of his
threats; he knew that lie could black
mail him for twenty thousand by
Threatening to publish certain facts in
the old mans early history.
After three years the Brewster in
fiuence had waned with the change of
governors, and Richard was taken out
of his easy berth and shipped off to
labor in the turpentine camp at Par
sing. There the horror of his position
moved unwiSe friends of his father.
who, acting without the old mans
knowledge, approached the head war
den with brides. The only result was
that tifty-pound weight was attached
TO Richards leg by chain. But 9TH
ers were more yenal and so it came
about that Richard Brewster found
himself alone in the woods, with two
hours grace ana only a mile to travel
to the motor boat which lay awaiting
him, hidden in the mangroyes, with
five hundred dollars under the seat and
a key that would unfasten the pad
lock of the chain.
That mile meant more hard travel
ing, when one weighed fifty pounds
above his norm, but Richard made it.
Through swamps and over fallen
trunks, and plunging into rotten tim
Der, he pressed forward to emerge at
length, bleeding and torn, at the head
of the little bay 1t was late after
noon; a cottage stood on the bank not
fifty yards distant; and the boat just
showed among the mangroves. Brew
ster crept cautiously toward it, He
pulled it from its place into the shall
low water
Then he discovered that, with the
chain and the ball, he could not en-
ter it.
Under the seat as he had been adj
vised, he saw the little oilsl1in package
containing the money and the key. He
struggled till the sweat poured down
his face. Then, turning, he became
aware that small child was watching
him, a girl about five years old, evil
IDENTITY from the cottage
Come here" said Brewster hoarse-
ly and the child obeyed DO you see
that package under that seat? Could
you get it for me?"
The child stood watching him, finger
in mouth, half frightened, half inter-
ested. 1t was evident that she had no
intention of doing what the strange
man told her.
Marjorie Marjorie y called clear
voice FROM the cottage.
Then the mangroves parted and
clear-eyed, indignant young woman,
perhans Brewster's own age, confront
ed him.
"A convict" she said, and only half
yelled her terror.
Yes said the man. "Tll make
clean breast of it. I'm Brewster
Richard Brewster. I see you know
who | am. There is a package under
that seat with key that Will unlock
this paddock, and five hundred dollars
I can't reach it with this attachment
Get it for me and I'll divide the money
with you"
eve don't help convicts here" an
swered the girl "Some folks can't be
bought. If they could my folks would
be richer than they are. Perhaps you
know my father, Herman Grace" she
added.
Grace! The head warden!''
"Then you won't get that package
for me?" he demanded.
"No. nor won't lift a finger against
you. either Go your own way. I've
heard Of You and your d0ings You
poor creature. what sort of happiness
have You found in your life, you who
think everybody is for sale?''
The thought was new 10 Brewster.
"Why IL haye1't had much, he STAN
mered.
How long have you to server
Nearly two years"
1.-TWO years" she echoed. $50 you
are willing TO purchase two years of
liberty by life of ignominy, hunted
everywhere, hiding from all, trusting
none. always expecting TO hear the
step Of a detective at your heels? You
poor fellow
He hung his head Il don't-know !"
he stammered. Nobody ever put it to
me in that way before. I've never met
girl ike you l thought they wee
all out for the money.
Miss Grace, ne said. IF I go back
IF 1 serve my time-if try TO live
decent life afterward, and have want
ed TO sometimes, only l never had any
All