Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-12-08

lean figure. the sunken cheeks, the
pzllid skin and the deep-set. dull
eyes that she understood. And she
spoke without preamble, with a d.
rectness which warned him.
You've had an awfuIly tough
time"
He closed his eyes for a second.
"Yes. ma'am."
Uncle Todd has written me about
you. He thinks you'll have trouble
getting pour feet on the ground-and
he anti me to help"
I'm all right, ma'am.'
Il hope so. But he seemed afraid
i believe he is very, very fond of
you"
Bob raised his eyes. "He carved
me q pagoda out Of cedar. Did il
himself with a razor blade"
The girl WINGED. She caught the
nuance OF -earnestness in Bob's tone;
the infection OF pride end gratitude,
And so the girl sought TO direct the
conversation.
Have you made any plans for
yourself :"
mo. ma'am.'
nave YOU some MDutA
The prison dropped from him like
magic. His eyes blazed into hers
vita a fury which frightened. Yes.
I've got money. Peter Borden's
money. He's giving me a roof and
money and clothes 20 make up-to
make up" The tense figure sagged
and he finished in 9 whisper. Il hate
him."
She placed her hand lightly on his
arm. Il understand" she said, and
he nodded gratefully. Ii was SO
much better TO talk 70 someone who
could understand. Lois was sorry
for him-and Lois could not under
stand. But this girl could. The
shadow of prison was east over hel
own family and she herself had suf.
fered v~icariously. He swept her with
his eyes: she sat forward, starry.
eyed. vivid. friendly.
"You are very nice 10 me, Miss
shannon"
81 like you" she returned, with q
fearless absence of e~quivocation
You've walked a rocky road-Snd
there's a worse one ahead. Right
now ] realize that you haven't been
able to think. But sometimes, Bob
Terry-talking to someone who un-
derstands is a big help. II you'll use
me that way. I'll be glad. l think
it's what Uncle Todd had in mind
Perhaps, together-you and / might
solve your problem.
I'm not worrying. In a way, ]
don't have 70. ! have everything ]
could want"
But you're miserable. You hate
Borden"
Yes. And some day I'm going to
get even. I've sworn that"
She opened her lips 20 argue. but
held the words back. She could see
plainly enough that there was only
thought IN the boys mind. one
idea-one obsession. Peter Borden
had done him irrepsrable injury. and
until Borden suffered. Bob Terry
could not know happiness. Il was
such a human thing-this passion for
reprisal-and he was 90 close to the
~penitentiary. His world was no
longer divided into right and wrong:
IL was merely a division of can and
cannot; Of escape and detection.
She realized already that he had
gone 70 prison highly strung and
sensitive 10 impressions. and SIC
knew the CHASTITY brutality Of prison
impressions. They had been craven
in his soul-and for three years he
had turned for friendship and solace
10 hardened, convicted criminals. The
very fact OF his innocence-of the in
jnstice-had caused the cravings OF
the prison friends to 20 deeper.
John Carmody entered from his
private office - entered without
knocking. He extended his hand with
A curt announcement OF his identity.
Again Bob Terry experienced a
shock. II was Uncomfortable that this
negative person with the quiet voice
was the great. the powerful. the
feared. John Carmody. Yet, some
how his qaietness and his physical
frailty made him appear the more
powerful.
u know what you're up against.
Terry" John Carmody said gently.
And I know you're Todd Shannon's
friend. One 81 these days you'll ad-
lust yourself, and perhaps you'll
want a Job. ! know men and prisons
too well not 70 understand you and
your problem. When the time comes
thai sou are "a 70 10 work, wish
you'd talk 70 me. ] a make a
place for you here"
he turned and wss gone-even be-
fore Bob Terrv could open his lips
in thanks. And then a wave Of graf
itude swept over him.
"Ry Godi' he Fahged.. Hes mar
v~elloEs."
But Kathleen shannon ala not an
s~er. She WAS staring az the coor
which led TO John Carm0dy's office
and she appeared deeply thoughtful
and worried.
rTN ar rOSTTNI-FnA