New Britain herald., 1927-11-26
Madge Pleads for Leniency on Be-
 half of Mary

Tn my fear for the merciless iudg- Inent which l guessed Philip Nerlt- zen was ready to pronounce upon Mary, l forgot for the moment my resolve to give him no opportunity to sound the personal note. But memory and chagrin came flooding back to me when al the touch of
 my hand upon his arm as l made my plea for compassion 10 my hus- bands lovely young niece, he bent and swiftly possessed himself Of both my hands. then tightly clasp ins them. brought them up 10 his lips. It was a movement which brought me so close to him that ! might almost have been in his en- brace.
 Heart Of Gold" he murmured, bit theatrically. but investing his words with so plausible q note that I found myself almost believing in the sincerity of the flamboyant flat tery. Your divine compassion is like a sheltering cloak for the fortunate ones you love. Even if I were the merciless man you think me, the mere knowledge of your wish would soften any judgment of mine. But why do you think Mary is in need of a plea for pity from you to me?'
 His tone was that Of puzzled in quiry but from deep within my con- sciousness sounded the note of a little warning bell which l have learned never 10 disregard. In the moment of clarity l knew that in some way he had discovered Mary'S escapade as the masked dancer and that the ordeal of confession to which the girl had stceled herself was as unnecessary as it would be futile. Not for the first time l sensed the power posse ssed by this man. He could find out anything he wished, told myself helplessly, and he would usa his knowledge hlessIy-unless- wondered if 1t were colossal vanity for me 10 inter pret the look in his eyes IS Insuring his implied promise of softened Judgment,
 Trying to avoid any appearance of prudish resentment. l twisted my hands from his and stepped back pace. smiling as I did so. For hon .esty compelled me 10 admit that I lad only myself to blame for his bit of flamboyancc.
 T must not tell you the reason for my request now,' l said. That would be a betrayal of confi- dence. But 1 know that you will be as merciful as yol are just, And l will send Mary 10 you directly
 I went swiftly out Of the room, and directly 10 my own where l had left Mary. and where l found her, pacing up and down, her face flushed. her fingers clenched into her palms That the girls nerves were tense almost to the breaking point, I saw, but q look into her resolute eyes told mo that the point would not be reached during her interview with Philip Ncritzcn. She would take gamely any decision he might make even if it meant the end of the career SEe had entered with such high expectations SO com paratively a short time before.
 Hes hcre.' she exclaimed, stop ping her walk as l came into inc room and turning her fear-raN aged face 10 me. I went up to her and tapped her shoulder sruartly as l re- piled, for I knew better than to break down her carefully built lip resistance with any show of sym pathy. She was too near hysteria for anything but bluntness. "Of course he ls," I said tartly Its what we've been expecting, isn't 1t? Shall l bring you pair Of your uncle's golf stockings"' She stffened anSrily at the gibe which was what I wished.
 "No thank you" she said. My feet arc cold, I'll admit. but I'll manage without help. Where is 'te?"
 Tn the library"
 Am I 10 go down now?"