The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-11-12

You're a good scout, Steve. Thanks
a lot for all you've done and tried ia
do. You rreant we'll. but at that |
think tbs old scientific hooey has got
you oft cuckoo. too. | stood for II
while because | thought his nlbs
M ht fall for 1t, but when saw you
weren't going to get to first base with
the big boob called 1t no contest"
She thrust out her little hand "Well
good-by. Steve. suppose I'm keeping
you from other nuts"
She came close to him and looked
up at him wistfully SO he stopped and
kissed her. AT once tears sufrused her
eyes. You don't mind what ! look
like. do you. Doctor Burt7 You're kIud
enough not to feel sorry for me-"
Amazingly she had changed-slpped
out Of one personality into the other
as one slips out of coat. "Will you
do something for me, Doctor7" she
continued, and he saw that she was all
nerves now. I'm looking for girl
named Penelope. | can't remember her
last name. but do wish you'd try to
find her for me, even with so little to
go on
where does she live, Nance7"
"Out there somewhere"
you've been reading a poem,
think, Nance-a poem that runs:
And you, my sweet Penelope, out there
somewhere you walt for me.
With buds of roses In your hair and
kisses on your mouth.
She trembled with eagerness. "Why.
you know her. Doctor. That's the
Penelope I'm looking for
..0h, If that's the Penelope, why of
course I'll find her for you. Good-by,
my poor dear girl, and remember to
look for ME at the gate the day you're
released from San Quentin
A deputy sheriff took Nance Belden
TO San Quentin and was decent enough
to refrain from Handwriting her en-
route. The girl was not particularly
sad Indeed she appeared to enjoy the
brief trip across the bay In the ferry
boat, and the half hours journey by
train to Greenbrae, where the prison
bus meets arriving deputy sherlffs and
their charges. Even the first glimpse
of the penitentlary did not disturb her,
for the road that enters the grounds Is
thanked by the homes of the officials
and guards, and well-kept lawns and
flower gardens give no hint of the
gloom that lies In waiting beyond the
main gate.
She was taken first to the warden's
office. from here she was passed on to
another officer where she was meas
ured by the Bertillon system. thumb
printed and photographed, after which
a guard escorted her over to the wom-
ems wing Of the prison.
The building In which female con-
yicts are housed at San Quentin would
readily be mistaken for hospital were
1t not for the bars at the windows and
the high metal mesh fence that sur
rounds the grounds. Two young wom-
en- were hoeIng In the flower beds !,
along the cement walks other women
stroled. singly or In pairs, chatting
and enjoying the sunshine and fresh
salt breeze that blew In from the bay,
less than fifty yards distant About
two hundred yards Off the beach. some
men In skiffs were fishing for striped
bass, and with the exception OF guard
In d kiosk at the entrance to the
grounds, one would have to search In
vain for the slightest hint of official
surveillance.
$50 this IS San Quentin Nance re-
marked gaily to her escort. Not SO
bad, my boy not so bad"
The guard did not answer. He knew
that the realization of restriction rather
than high walls constitutes the horror
of prison life. He took her into a
small lobby, where a pleasant-faced,
middle-aged matron greeted the girl
cordially.
Come with me, Nance" she said,
and led the girl into her office, where
she took charge Of Nances suitcase,
opened it and searched 1t thoroughly.
"You have nice clothes and toilet
articles" she commented. Have you
more clothes at home? These will
scarcely last two years"
"Yes. May | send for them?" asked
Nance eagerly.
@Of course you may. The women
inmates Of San Quentin are not re-
qured to wear a prison uniform. al
though we furnish one II necessary"
"Hurrah for our SIDE" Nance replied
cheerfully
You read and write. of course
Nance?"
4 do look like dumb-bell?'
y "Well," - patiently - here are the
prison rules. Read them, and ther
obey them strictly. Failure to obey
them will lead to disciplinary measures
and repeated infractions may lead K
| solitary confinement. II you prove t
be d good GIRL you'll receive credit FOL
| good behavior In the shape OF reduc
| tion In the length Of your sentence
| Good conduct will also render you ell
| CHILE for parole after you have served
| half of your sentence, II you shoult
| get into trouble tell me about 1t first
| try to give my girls square deal
\ A. iva M,