The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-11-19
CHAPTER III-Continued

held out her hand. Her cell proved to
be exactly what the matron had said
1t was-a small, neat white room, with
a neat little white bed and wash stand,
and small chest of drawers, not un-
like that OF room In hospital, save
for the steel door with an orifice in the
center of 1t, and connected by lock-
Ing mechanism with all the doors In
that tier of cells so that the throwing
OF a lever locked them all simultane-
ously. Nance surveyed 1t with salts
faction. This will do me nicely" she
said. THANK you ever so much,
Matron."
She unpacked her suitcase, slowed
her few belongings In the chest OF
drawers, removed her hat and sat down
on the bed to read the printed list of
prison rules. But one of the rules in
terested her. She discovered she could
write letters once q month and receive
visitors once a month"; she behaved
herself. II must be mothers little
lamb" she decided. This Is some
joint to get out of, but where there's
a will there's way" And she set
herself resoutely to discovering the
way.
Before locking-up time she thought
she had discovered 1t. 1t was the
fishermen In the cove just Off San
Quentin point who suggested 1t to her.
In her stroll around the grounds she
inspected the fence. 1t was sixteen
feet high, of quarterback steel mesh,
set on steel posts bedded In concrete,
and 1t ran along concrete base. A
| barefooted woman, using her toes to
| cling to the MESH could climb the fence
readily enough, were 1t not for an
| eighteen-inch topping of barbed wire,
| strung In strands four inches apart
| and set inward at an angle Of forty-five
degrees. One could not possibly sur
mount that. Nor could one burrow
under the concrete base In daylight,
even were the means available. Nor
could one do 1t at night, because then
one was locked In the cell. But one
could stroll down the main walk to the
sentry box Just outside the entrance
and appraIse the situation there. AS
Nance suspected the gate was kept
| locked and the guard had the key; In
| deed, the gate was never opened except
| to admit new prisoner or an official,
or to provide an exit for a discharged
/ ytrI pr pfinIo1
did not despair, for the gate was mar
row--two feet-and there was no top.
| ping on 1t. She decided she would
climb over 1t some day when the
| guards back was turned; ergo, the
thing to do was to induce the guard to
turn his back
| For a month Nance gave her thoughts
over entirely to this problem.
Lanny came into Doctor Burt's office
and laid letter on his desk. 1t was
dated from San Quentin on the cheap
prison stationery and read:
Dear Miss tanning:
II can receive visitors next Sunday.
| Won't you please come over and visit
me? I'm so lonely, and you were so
kind to me when visited Doctor Burt 8
office. have never forgotten you and
never shall. Sincerely,
Nance Belden,
mo. 43,231."
"Just think, Stevie," Lanny declared
proudly. "She hasn't forgotten me, the
poor dear"
II suppose you'll go over"
Indeed shall. 1t Would be terrible
II l didn't. You'll send her something,
won't you, Steve? | think that might
please her. | think she'd appreciate a
portable photograph and couple OF
dozen records. | understand model
prisoners are permitted such lux
ures"
Stephen smiled. well, III stand for
that expense, too, Lanny. And | shall
await with interest the report you will
have to make on your return" Lanny
beamed
The following Sunday afternoon
therefore, the matron admitted Lam,
to the visitors room and sent fol
Nance, who arrived on the run anc
cast herself joyously into Lanny'i
arms. Then Nance led the latter int
corner, and speaking swiftly and II
low voice, said:
I'VE aren't permitted to be alone
with our visitors, Lanny. You'll notice
the matron remains In the room. Sh'
won't listen to what we have to soy bu
she keeps her eyes on US. VIII yol
smuggle letter out for mel I've go
one all written, but the matron read
all our letters before posting them
and ! can't have her read this one
Us to very dear friend and Jus
couldn't bear I'd have her read 1t. BE
sides, If she read II, she wouldn'
mail IT."
Lannys Geo. grew grave. DO yol