The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-07-11
by Winnifrcd Mason Huck
Former Representative to Congress
from illinois,

IT0" 1IIInOlS-
Watch your STEP said | to my
self. all the way to the supcrintcnd-
cnt's office. | had been warned that
both Mr.. and Mrs. Mittcndorf were
persons not to be easily fooled.
One Of the girls told nc that
was to get my history taEcn.'
wondered what that meant.
After Il short wait, | was ad-
mttcd to the superintendent Of
flee.
No one but Il convic, can know
what it means to face ~ qucstioncr
whom the law has pat in absolute
control over him.
The upcrintcndcnt main goal
was 10 learn my past. and my main
goal was to prevent HIM from learn
ing it.
Tic was tall. dignificd, gray
haired man and one whom instant
~ guessed to be Il good judge Of
character.
His attitude was so gentle and 50
kind that ! actually began to feel
guilty at the deception was play
ing on him. and 10 regret that he
was, not disagrccablc and ugly.
All My Ability
Two minutes after the opening
Of the interview. realized that it
WAS going to take all my histri"nic
ability to carry me Through the
scene.
'What is your nam"?' h" asked.
"Elizabeth Spraguc," answered.
rs that your right name y This
from a clear sky.
well" explained. "it is the one
my mother put in the family Bible.
for me- This was true Of "Spraguc,
which was Il family name.
Did you ever go by any other
namc?'
said nothing. ! was laundering
desperately.
Come, Elizabeth" he said, "you
might just as well tell me, for VIC
will find out anyway
! knew that even better than he.
confessed to have a married
name. but was too proud to drag it
into Jail.
Did my husband know Of my trou-
bic? Did l have any children and
where they were? Why had | left
my state in the first place?
These questions were wholly uncX-
pcctcd. | felt the cold sweat bead
ing my forehead. | lonscd to jump
up and run out of the room, but in
stead. | could only stand up, Shift
from one foot to the other and dig
my fingers into my sweater pockets
Real Patience
"You are going to put me in the
dungeon if do not answcr?' l half
asked, half accused
no. he answered with real pa
thence and with a touch of kind
ness. "And whatever you say here
is absolutely secret. Not even youl
matron will know
1t all seemed fair enough, yet
was caught in the maclstrom. ! dar-
| ed not talk. looked at him cspair.
ingly.
Turning to the secretary, who was
! recording the dialogue. he said, "Pu
, it down that the prisoner refuse:
. to- answer"
/ Those wonderful words! The,
sounded like surrender. and though
| knew it was but temporary ar
| mistice, and that the clash OF hi:
! will and mine would begin again
later. I was gaining time.
| After that | met every question
with silence.
] At the close. he said to me. Eliza
beth, what started your trouble? 70,
have education, good parents,
. wholesome background Thcs'
things | can see What happened?
Like a clever lawyer. once balket
| at details, he was striking out 70
more general information.
"Did you get into bad company?'
''Across my mind flashed a vision
of the house of representatives a
| Washington. saw myself sittin;
in the speakers chair. the first wo
man to preside over either house o
congress. saw my fellow congress
men seated before me.
Then looked out the window
lest he read MY eyes.
"Wcll,' said ], "somc people d.
look down on them. and even cal
some of them crooks, but ! ncve
felt that way about Them
Serial Of Thrills
Soon ! was dismissed. | went bacl
to "B" corridor and sat down t.
wait for the next chapter in thi
strange serial of thrills.