第1章

I。ThePanelofLightII。ACheerfulProdigalIII。OnlyThreeYearsIV。KissesandKleptomaniaV。TheVictimoftheLawVI。InfernoVII。WithintheLawVIII。ATipfromHeadquartersX。ALegalDocumentX。MarkedMoneyXI。TheThiefXII。ABridegroomSpurnedXIII。TheAdventofGriggsXIV。AWeddingAnnouncementXV。AftermathofTragedyXVI。BurkePlotsXVII。OutsidetheLawXVIII。TheNoiselessDeathXIX。WithintheToilsXX。WhoShotGriggs？

XXI。AggieatBayXXII。TheTrapThatFailedXXIII。TheConfessionXXIV。AnguishandBlissCHAPTERI。THEPANELOFLIGHT

Thelidsofthegirl"seyesliftedslowly，andshestaredatthepaneloflightinthewall。Justattheoutset，theactofseeingmadenottheleastimpressiononhernumbedbrain。Foralongtimeshecontinuedtoregardthedimilluminationinthewallwiththesamepassivefixityofgaze。Apathystilllayuponhercrushedspirit。Inavagueway，sherealizedherowninertness，andrestedinitgratefully，subtlyfearfullestsheagainarousetothefullhorrorofherplight。Inacurioussubconsciousfashion，shewasstrivingtoholdontothisdeadnessofsensation，thustowinalittlerespitefromthetorturethathadexhaustedhersoul。

Ofasudden，hereyesnotedtheblacklinesthatlayacrossthepaneloflight。And，inthatinstant，herspiritwasquickenedonceagain。Thecloudsliftedfromherbrain。Visionwasclearnow。Understandingseizedthefullimportofthishideousthingonwhichshelooked……Forthepaneloflightwasawindow，sethighwithinawallofstone。Therigidlinesofblackthatcrosseditwerebars——prisonbars。Itwasstilltrue，then:ShewasinacelloftheTombs。

Thegirl，crouchingmiserablyonthenarrowbed，maintainedherfixedwatchingofthewindow——thatwindowwhichwasasymbolofherutterdespair。Again，agonywrenchedwithinher。Shedidnotweep:longagoshehadexhaustedthereliefoftears。Shedidnotpacetoandfrointhecomfortofphysicalmovementwithwhichthecagedbeastfindsamockingimitationofliberty:longago，herphysicalvigorshadbeendrainedunderstressofanguish。Now，shewaswell-nighincapableofanybodilyactivity。Therecamenotevensomuchasthefeeblestmoanfromherlips。Thetormentwasfartoorackingforsuchfutilefashionoflamentation。Shemerelysatthereinapostureofcollapse。Toalloutwardseeming，nerveless，emotionless，anabjectcreature。Eventheeyes，whichheldsofixedlytheirgazeonthewindow，werequiteexpressionless。Overthemlayafilm，likethatwhichveilstheeyesofsomedeadthing。Onlyanoccasionallanguidmotionofthelidsrevealedthelifethatremained。

Sostillthebody。Withinthesoul，furyrageduncontrolled。

Forallthedesolatecalmofouterseeming，thetragedyofherfatewasbeingactedwithfrightfulvividnessthereinmemory。

Inthatdreadfulremembrance，herspiritwasrentasunderanewbyrealizationofthatwhichhadbecomeherportion……Itwasthen，asonceagainthehorribleinjusticeofherfaterackedconsciousnesswithitstortures，thattheseedsofrevoltwereimplantedinherheart。Thethoughtofrevengegavetoherthefirstmeagergleamofcomfortthathadlightenedhermoodsthroughmanymiserabledaysandnights。Thoseseedsofrevoltweretobenourishedwell，weretogrowintotheirflower——apoisonflower，developedthroughthethreeyearsofconvictlifetowhichthejudgehadsentencedher。

Thegirlwasappalledbythemercilessnessofadestinythathadsooutragedright。Shewaswhollyinnocentofhavingdoneanywrong。Shehadstruggledthroughyearsofprivationtokeepherselfcleanandwholesome，worthyofthosegentlefolkfromwhomshedrewherblood。Andearnestefforthadendedatlastunderanoverwhelmingaccusation——false，yetnonethelessfataltoher。Thisaccusation，aftersoul-wearyingdelays，hadculminatedto-dayinconviction。Thesentenceofthecourthadbeenimposeduponher:thatforthreeyearssheshouldbeimprisoned……This，despiteherinnocence。Shehadenduredmuch——miserablymuch!——forhonesty"ssake。Therewroughttheironyoffate。Shehadenduredbravelyforhonesty"ssake。Andtheendofitallwasshameunutterable。Therewasnoughtlefthersaveawilddreamofrevengeagainsttheworldthathadmartyrizedher。

"Vengeanceismine。Iwillrepay，saiththeLord。"……Theadmonitioncouldnottouchhernow。WhyshouldshecareforthedecreesofaGodwhohadabandonedher!

TherehadbeennothinginthelifeofMaryTurner，beforethecatastrophecame，todistinguishitfrommanyanother。Itsmostsignificantdetailswereofasordidkind，familiartopoverty。

Herfatherhadbeenanunsuccessfulman，assuccessisesteemedbythisgenerationofMammon-worshipers。Hewasagentleman，butthetrivialfactisofsmallavailto-day。Hewasofgoodbirth，andhewasthepossessorofaninheritedcompetence。Hehad，aswell，intelligence，butitwasnotofafinancialsort。

So，littlebylittle，hisfortunebecameshrunkentowardnothingness，byreasonofinjudiciousinvestments。Hemarriedacharmingwoman，who，afterabriefperiodofweddedhappiness，gaveherlifetothebirthofthesinglechildoftheunion，Mary。Afterward，inhisdistressoverthisloss，RayTurnerseemedevenmoreincompetentforthemanagementofbusinessaffairs。Astheyearspassed，thedaughtergrewtowardmaturityinanexperienceofever-increasingpenury。Nevertheless，therewasnoactualwantofthenecessitiesoflife，thoughalwaysawofullackofitselegancies。Thegirlwasinthehigh-school，whenherfatherfinallygaveoverhisratherfeebleeffortofliving。Betweenparentandchild，theintimacyhadbeenunusuallyclose。Athisdeath，thefatherleftheracharacterwellinstructedintheexcellentprinciplesthathadbeenhisown。

Thatwashissolelegacytoher。Ofworldlygoods，notthevalueofapin。

Yet，measuredaccordingtothesternstandardsofadversity，Marywasfortunate。Almostatonce，sheprocuredahumbleemploymentintheEmporium，thegreatdepartmentstoreownedbyEdwardGilder。Tobesure，thewagewasinfinitesimal，whilethetoilwasbody-breakingsoul-breaking。Still，thepittancecouldbemadetosustainlife，andMarywasblessedwithbothsoulandbodytosustainmuch。Soshemergedherselfinthearmyofworkers——inthevastbattalionofthosethatgivetheirentireselvestoalabormoststernandunremitting，andmostillrewarded。

Mary，nevertheless，avoidedtheworstperilsofherlot。Shedidnotflinchunderprivation，butwentherwaythroughit，ifnotserenely，atleastwithouteverathoughtofyieldingtothosetemptationsthatbesetagirlwhoisatoncepoorandcharming。

Fortunatelyforher，thoseinclosestauthorityoverherwerenotsodeeplysmittenastomakeobligatoryonherachoicebetweencomplaisanceandlossofposition。Sheknewofsituationslikethat，thecul-de-sacofchastity，worsethananydevisedbyaJavert。Inthestore，suchthingsweremattersofcourse。Thereislittleinnocenceforthegirlinthemoderncity。Therecanbenonefortheworkerthrownintothestorm-centerofagreatcommercialactivity，hummingwithviciousgossip，allalivewithquipsfromtheworldlywise。Attheveryoutsetofheremployment，thesixteen-year-oldgirllearnedthatshemightekeoutthesixdollarsweeklybytradingonherpersonalattractivenesstothoseoftheoppositesex。Theideawasrepugnanttoher；notonlyfromthemaidenlyinstinctofpurity，butalsofromthemoralprincipleswovenintohercharacterbytheteachingsofafatherwiseinmostthings，thoughafoolinfinance。

Thus，sheremainedunsmirched，thoughwellinformedastotheveritiesoflife。Shepreferredpurityandpenury，ratherthanaslightpamperingofthebodytobeboughtbyitsdegradation。Amongherfellowsweresomelikeherself；others，unlike。Ofherownsort，inthissingleparticular，werethetwogirlswithwhomshesharedacheaproom。Theircommondecencyinattitudetowardtheothersexwastheuniquebondofunion。Intheirassociation，shefoundnorealcompanionship。Nevertheless，theywerewholesomeenough。Otherwisetheywereilliterate，altogetheruncongenial。

Insuchwise，throughfivedrearyyears，MaryTurnerlived。Ninehoursdaily，shestoodbehindacounter。Shespentherotherwakinghoursinobligatorymeniallabors:cookingherownscantmealsoverthegas；washingandironing，forthesakeofthatneatappearancewhichwasrequiredofherbythoseinauthorityattheEmporium——yet，moreespecially，necessaryforherownself-respect。Withamindkeenandearnest，shecontrivedsomesolacefromreadingandstudying，sincethefreelibrarygaveherthisopportunity。So，thoughengagedinstultifyingoccupationthroughmostofherhours，shewasabletofindfoodformentalgrowth。Even，inthelastyear，shehadreachedapointofdevelopmentwhereatshebegantostudyseriouslyherownpositionintheworld"seconomy，tomeditateonamethodofbetteringit。

Underthisimpulse，hopemountedhighinherheart。Ambitionwasborn。Bycandidcomparisonofherselfwithothersabouther，sherealizedthefactthatshepossessedanintelligencebeyondtheaverage。Thetrainingbyherfather，too，hadbeenofasuperiorkind。Therewasaswell，atthebackvaguely，thefeelingofparticularself-respectthatbelongsinevitablytothepossessorofgoodblood。Finally，shedemurelyenjoyedamodestappreciationofherownphysicaladvantages。Inshort，shehadbeauty，brainsandbreeding。Threethingsofchiefimportancetoanywoman——thoughtherebemanymindsastowhichmaybechiefamongthethree。

IhavesaidnothingspecificthusfarastotheouterbeingofMaryTurner——exceptastofilmedeyesandahuddledform。But，inahappiersituation，thegirlwerewinningenough。Indeed，more!Shewasoneofthosethatpossessanharmoniousbeauty，with，too，thepenetrantcharmthatspringsfromthemind，withtheaddedgracesbornofthespirit。Justnow，asshesat，afigureofdesolation，thereonthebedintheTombscell，itwouldhaverequiredamostanalyticalobservertodeterminetheactualitiesofherloveliness。Herformwasdisguisedbythedroopofexhaustion。Hercomplexionshowedthepallorofsorrowfulvigils。Herfacewasnomorethanamaskofmisery。

Yet，theshrewdobserver，ifaloverofbeauty，mighthavefoundmuchfordelight，evendespitetheconcealmentimposedbyherpresentcondition。Thus，thestormygloryofherdarkhair，greatmassesthatranariotofshiningripplesandwaves。Andthestraightlineofthenose，nottoothin，yetfineenoughfortheraptureofaPraxiteles。Andthepinkdaintinessoftheear-tips，whichpeeredwarmlyfrombeneaththepalloftresses。

Onecouldknownothingaccuratelyofthecomplexionnow。Butitwereeasytoguessthatinhappierplacesitwouldshowofapuritytoentice，withagentlebloomingofrosesinthecheeks。

Eveninthishourofunmitigatedevil，thelipsrevealedacurvingbeautyofred——notquitecrimson，thoughnearenoughfortheword；notquitescarleteither；only，aredgentlyenchanting，whichturnedone"sthoughtstowardtenderness——withahintofdesire。Itwas，too，agenerousmouth，nottoolarge；

still，happily，notsosmallasthosemodeledbyWatteau。Itwasaltogetherwinsome——more，itwasgenerousandtrue，desirableforkisses——yes!——moredesirableforstrengthandforfaith。

Likeeveryintelligentwoman，Maryhadtakenthetroubletoreinforcetheworthofherphysicalattractiveness。Theinstinctofsexwasstronginher，asitmustbeineverynormalwoman，sincethatappealisnature"slaw。Shekeptherselfsuppleandsveltebymanyexercises，atwhichhercompanionsinthechamberscoffed，withtheprudentwarningthatmoreworkmustmeanmoreappetite。Witharmsstillachingfromtheliftingofheavyboltsofclothtoandfrofromtheshelves，sheneverthelesswasatpainsnightlytobrushwiththeappointedtwohundredstrokesthethickmassesofherhair。Evenhere，inthesordiddesolationofthecell，thelustroussheenwitnessedthefidelityofhercare。

So，ineachdetailofher，thekeenobservermighthavefoundadequatereasonforadmiration。Therewasthedelicacyofthehands，withfingerstapering，withnailsperfectlyshaped，neithertoodullnortooshining。Andtherewere，too，finally，thetrimlyshodfeet，setratherprimlyonthefloor，small，andarchedlikethoseofaSpanishInfanta。Intruth，MaryTurnershowedthepossibilitiesatleast，ifnotjustnowtherealities，ofaverybeautifulwoman。

Naturally，inthisperiodofgrief，thegirl"smindhadnoconcernwithsuchexternalmeritsoverwhichonceshehadmodestlyexulted。Allherpresentenergiesweresettopreciserecollectionoftheghastlyexperienceintowhichshehadbeenthrust。

Initsoutline，theeventhadbeentragicallysimple。

Therehadbeentheftsinthestore。Theyhadbeentracedeventuallytoacertaindepartment，thatinwhichMaryworked。

Thedetectivewasalert。Somevaluablesilksweremissed。

Searchfollowedimmediately。ThegoodswerefoundinMary"slocker。Thatwasenough。Shewaschargedwiththetheft。Sheprotestedinnocence——onlytobelaughedatinderisionbyheraccusers。Everythiefdeclaresinnocence。Mr。Gilderhimselfwasemphaticagainsther。Thethievinghadbeenlongcontinued。Anexamplemustbemade。Thegirlwasarrested。

ThecrowdedconditionofthecourtcalendarkeptherforthreemonthsintheTombs，awaitingtrial。Shewasquitefriendless。

Totheworld，shewasonlyathiefinduress。Atthelast，thetrialwasveryshort。Herlawyerwasmerelyanunfledgedpractitionerassignedtoherdefenseasaformalityofthecourt。

ThisnoviceinhisprofessionwassogratefulforthefirstrecognitioneveraffordedhimthatheratherassistedthanotherwisetheDistrictAttorneyintheprosecutionofthecase。

Attheend，twelvegoodmenandtruerenderedaverdictofguiltyagainsttheshudderinggirlintheprisoner"sdock。

SosimplethehistoryofMaryTurner"strial……Thesentenceofthejudgewaslenient——onlythreeyears!

CHAPTERII。ACHEERFULPRODIGAL。

Thatwhichwasthesupremetragedytothebrokengirlinthecellmerelyaffordedratheragreeableentertainmenttoherformerfellowsofthedepartmentstore。MaryTurnerthroughouthertermofservicetherehadbeenwithoutrealintimates，sothatnownonewasreadytomournoverherfate。Eventhetworoom-mateshadfeltsomeslightoffense，sincetheysensedthesuperiorityofher，thoughvaguely。Now，theyfoundasmugsatisfactioninthefactofherdisasterasemphasizingverypleasurablytheirowncontinuanceinrespectability。

Asmanyaphilosopherhasobserved，wesecretlyenjoythemisfortunesofothers，particularlyofourfriends，sincetheyareclosesttous。Mostpersonshastentodenythistruthinitsapplicationtothemselves。Theydosoeitherbecausefromlackofclearunderstandingtheyarenotquitehonestwiththemselves，fromlackofclearintrospection，orbecause，asmaybemoreeasilybelieved，theyarenotquitehonestintheassertion。Asamatteroffact，wedofindasingularsatisfactioninthetroublesofothers。Contemplationofsuchsufferingrendersmorestrikingthecontrastedwell-beingofourownlot。Weneedthepainsofotherstoserveasbackgroundforourjoys——justassinisessentialasthebackgroundforanyappreciationofvirtue，evenanyknowledgeofitsexistence……Sonow，onthedayofMaryTurner"strial，therewasasubtlegaietyofgossipingstoandfrothroughthestore。

Thegirl"splightwaslikeashuttlecockdrivenhitherandyonbythebattledoresofmanytongues。Itwasthefirsttimeinmanyyearsthatoneoftheemployeeshadbeenthusaccusedoftheft。Shopliftersweresocommonastobeastaletopic。Therewasarefreshingnoveltyinthiscase，whereoneofthemselveswastheculprit。Herfellowworkerschatteddesultorilyofherastheyhadopportunity，andcomplacentlythankedtheirgodsthattheywerenotasshe——withreason。Perhaps，averyfewwerekindlyheartedenoughtofeelatouchofsympathyforthisruinofalife。

OfsuchwasSmithson，amemberoftheexecutivestaff，whodidnothesitatetospeakhismind，thoughnonetooforcibly。Asforthat，Smithson，whilethepossessorofadignitynourishedbyyearsoffloor-walking，wasnotgiventotheholdingofvigorousopinions。Yet，hiscomment，meagerasitwas，stoodwhollyinMary"sfavor。Andhespokewithacertainauthority，sincehehadgivenofficialattentiontothegirl。

SmithsonstoppedSarahEdwards，Mr。Gilder"sprivatesecretary，asshewaspassingthroughoneofthedepartmentsthatmorning，toaskheriftheownerhadyetreachedhisoffice。

"Beenandgone，"wasthesecretary"sanswer，withthetersenesscharacteristicofher。

"Gone!"Smithsonrepeated，evidentlysomewhatdisturbedbytheinformation。"Iparticularlywantedtoseehim。"

"He"llbeback，allright，"Sarahvouchsafed，amiably。"Hewentdown-town，totheCourtofGeneralSessions。ThejudgesentforhimabouttheMaryTurnercase。"

"Oh，yes，Iremembernow，"Smithsonexclaimed。Thenheadded，withatraceofgenuinefeeling，"Ihopethepoorgirlgetsoff。

Shewasanicegirl——quitethelady，youknow，MissEdwards。"

"No，Idon"tknow，"Sarahrejoined，abittartly。Truthtotell，thesecretarywashauntedbyagrimsuspicionthatsheherselfwasnotquitetheladyofherdreams，andneverwouldbeabletoacquirethegracesoftheVereDeVere。ForSarah，whileamostefficientsecretary，wasnotinherpersonofthatslenderelegancewhichalwayscharacterizedherfavoriteheroinesinthenovelssheaffected。Onthecontrary，shewasofasorttohavegratifiedByron，whodeclaredthatawomaninhermaturityshouldbeplump。Now，sherecalledwithatwingeofenvythattheaccusedgirlhadbeenofanaristocraticslimnessofform。"Oh，didyouknowher？"shequestioned，withoutanyrealinterest。

Smithsonansweredwiththatblandstatelinessofmannerwhichwasthefruitoffloor-walkingpoliteness。

"Well，Icouldn"texactlysayIknewher，andyetImightsay，afteramannerofspeaking，thatIdid——toacertainextent。Yousee，theyputherinmydepartmentwhenshefirstcameheretowork。Shewasagoodsaleswoman，assaleswomengo。Forthematterofthat，"headdedwithasuddenaccessofenergy，"shewasthelastgirlintheworldI"dtakeforathief。"Hedisplayedsomeevidencesofembarrassmentoverthehonestfeelingintowhichhehadbeenbetrayed，andmadehastetorecoverhisusualbusinessmanner，ashecontinuedformally。"WillyoupleaseletmeknowwhenMr。Gilderarrives？ThereareoneortwolittlemattersIwishtodiscusswithhim。"

"Allright!"Sarahagreedbriskly，andshehurriedontowardtheprivateoffice。

Thesecretarywasbarelyseatedatherdeskwhentheviolentopeningofthedoorstartledher，and，asshelookedup，acheeryvoicecriedout:

"Hello，Dad!"

Atthesamemoment，ayoungmanentered，withanairofcare-freeassurance，hisfaceradiant。But，ashisglancewenttotheemptyarm-chairatthedesk，hehaltedabruptly，andhisexpressionchangedtooneofdisappointment。

"Nothere!"hegrumbled。Then，onceagainthesmilewasonhislipsashiseyesfellonthesecretary，whohadnowrisentoherfeetinaflutterofexcitement。

"Why，Mr。Dick!"Sarahgasped。

"Hello，Sadie!"camethegenialsalutation。Theyoungmanadvancedandshookhandswithherwarmly。"I"mhomeagain。

Where"sDad？"

Evenasheaskedthequestion，thequicksoberingofhisfaceborewitnesstohisdisappointmentovernotfindinghisfatherintheoffice。Forsuchwastherelationshipoftheownerofthedepartmentstoretothisnewarrivalonthescene。Andinthepatentchagrinunderwhichthesonnowlaboredwastobefoundacertainindicationofcharacternottobedisregarded。Unlikemanyachild，hereallylovedhisfather。Thedeathofthemotheryearsbeforehadlefthimwithoutotheropportunityforaffectioninthehome，sincehehadneitherbrothernorsister。

Helovedhisfatherwithadepthoffeelingthatmadebetweenthetwoarealcamaraderie，despitegreatdifferencesintemperament。

Inthatsimpleandsincereregardwhichheboreforhisfather，theboyrevealedaheartreadyforlove，willingtogiveofitselfitsbestfortheonebeloved。Beyondthat，asyet，therewaslittletobesaidofhimwithexactness。Hewasaspoiledchildoffortune，ifyouwishtohaveitso。Certainly，hewasonlyadroneintheworld"shive。Thusfar，hehadenjoyedthegoodthingsoflife，withouteverdoingaughttodeservethembycontributinginreturn——savebyhissmilesandhisgenialairofhappiness。

Inthetwenty-threeyearsofhislife，everygiftthatmoneycouldlavishhadbeenhis。Ifthesumtotalofbenefitwassmall，atleastthereremainedtheconsolingfactthattheharmwasevenless。Luxuryhadnotsappedthestrengthofhim。Hehadnotgrownvicious，ashavesomanyofhisfellowsamongthesonsoftherich。Someinstinctheldhimalooffromthegrosservices。Hiswerethetriflingfaultsthathadtheiroriginchieflyinthejoyoflife，whichmanifestoccasionallyinriotousextravagancies，ofasortactuallytoharmnone，howeverabsurdanduselesstheymaybe。

Somuchonemightseebyaglanceintotheface。Hewaswellgroomed，ofcourse；healthy，alla-tinglewithvitality。Andinthecleareyes，whichavoidednoman"sgaze，norsoughtanywoman"sunseemly，thereshowedasouluntainted，notyetdeveloped，notyetdebased。Throughallhisdays，DickGilderhadwalkedgladly，inthecontentthatspringstothecallofonepossessedofacapacityforenjoyment；possessed，too，ofeverymeansforthegratificationofdesire。Asyet，themanofhimwasunrevealedinitsintegrity。Notesthadbeenputuponhim。

Thefiresofsufferinghadnottriedthedrossofhim。Whatrealworthmightlieunderthissunnysurfacethefuturemustdetermine。Thereshowednowonlythisonesignificantfact:

that，inthefirstmomentofhisreturnfromjourneyingsabroad，hesoughthisfatherwithalleagerness，andwassorelygrievedbecausethemeetingmuststillbedelayed。Itwasalittlething，perhaps。Yet，itwascapableofmeaningmuchconcerningthenatureofthelad。Itrevealedsurelyatenderheart，oneresponsivetoapurelove。Andtooneofhisclass，therearemanyforceseverpresenttoatrophysuchsimple，wholesomepowerofloving。Theabilitytolovecleanlyandabsolutelyisthesupremevirtue。

SarahexplainedthatMr。GilderhadbeencalledtotheCourtofGeneralSessionsbythejudge。

Dickinterruptedherwithagustoflaughter。

"What"sDadbeendoingnow？"hedemanded，hiseyestwinkling。

Then，areminiscentgrinshapeditselfonhislips。"Rememberthetimethatfreshcoparrestedhimforspeeding？Wasn"thewild？Ithoughthewouldhavethewholepoliceforcedischarged。"Hesmiledagain。"Thetroubleis，"hedeclaredsedately，"thatsortofthingrequirespractice。Now，whenI"marrestedforspeeding，I"mnotintheleastflustered——oh，notalittlebit!ButpoorDad!Thatoneexperienceofhisalmostsouredhiswholelife。Itwasnearthedeathofhim——also，ofthecity"sfinest。"

Bythistime，thesecretaryhadregainedherusualpoise，whichhadbeensomewhatdisturbedbytheirruptionoftheyoungman。

Herroundfaceshonedelightedlyassheregardedhim。Therewasamaternalnoteofrebukeinhervoiceasshespoke:

"Why，wedidn"texpectyoubackfortwoorthreemonthsyet。"

Onceagain，Dicklaughed，withaninfectiousgaietythatbroughtasmileofresponsetothesecretary"slips。

"Sadie，"heexplainedconfidentially，"don"tyoudareevertolettheoldmanknow。Hewouldbeallswollenup。It"sbadtoletaparentswellup。Butthetruthis，Sadie，IgotkindofhomesickforDad——yes，justthat!"Hespokethewordswithasortofshamefacedwonder。ItisnoteasyforanAnglo-Saxontoconfesstherealitiesofaffectioninvitalintimacies。Herepeatedthephraseinacuriouslyappreciativehesitation，asoneastoundedbyhisownemotion。"Yes，homesickforDad!"

Then，tocoveranexcessofsincerefeeling，hecontinued，withaburstoflaughter:

"Besides，Sadie，Iwasbroke。"

Thesecretarysniffed。

"Thecablewouldhavehandledthatendofit，Iguess，"shesaid，succinctly。

TherewasnowordofcontradictionfromDick，who，fromampleexperience，knewthatanydemandforfundswouldhavereceivedanswerfromthefather。

"ButwhatisDaddoingincourt？"hedemanded。

Sarahexplainedthematterwithherusualconciseness:

"Oneofthegirlswasarrestedforstealing。"

Thenatureofthesonwasshownthenclearlyinoneofitsbestaspects。Atonce，heexhibitedhisinstincttowardthequalityofmercy，and，too，histrustinthefatherwhomheloved，byhiseagercomment。

"AndDadwenttocourttogetheroutofthescrape。That"sjustliketheoldman!"

Sarah，however，showednohintofenthusiasm。Hermindwaseveroftheprosaicsort，littlepronetoflights。Inthatprosaicquality，wastobefoundtheexplanationofherdependabilityasaprivatesecretary。So，now，shemerelymadeatersestatement。

"Shewastriedto-day，andconvicted。ThejudgesentforMr。

Gildertocomedownthismorningandhaveatalkwithhimaboutthesentence。"

Therewasnolesseningoftheexpressionofcertaintyontheyoungman"sface。Helovedhisfather，andhetrustedwhereheloved。

"Itwillbeallright，"hedeclared，inatoneofentireconviction。"Dad"sheartisasbigasabarrel。He"llgetheroff。"

Then，ofasudden，Dickgaveaviolentstart。Headdedaconvincinggroan。

"Oh，Lord!"heexclaimed，dismally。Therewasshameinhisvoice。"Iforgotallaboutit!"

Thesecretaryregardedhimwithanexpressionofamazement。

"Allaboutwhat？"shequestioned。

Dickassumedanairvastlymoreconfidentialthanatanytimehitherto。Heleanedtowardthesecretary"sdesk，andspokewithanewseriousnessofmanner:

"Sadie，haveyouanymoney？I"mbrokerMytaxi"hasbeenwaitingoutsideallthistime。"

"Why，yes，"thesecretarysaid，cheerfully。"Ifyouwill——"

DickwasdiscreetenoughtoturnhisattentiontoapictureonthewalloppositewhileSarahwentthroughthoseacrobaticperformancesobligatoryonwomenwhotakenochancesoflosingmoneybycarryingitinpurses。

"There!"shecalledafterafewpantingseconds，andexhibitedaflushedface。

Dickturnedeagerlyandseizedthebanknoteofferedhim。

"Mightymuchobliged，Sadie，"hesaid，enthusiastically。"ButI

mustrun。Otherwise，thiswouldn"tbeenoughforthefare!"And，sosaying，hedartedoutoftheroom。

CHAPTERIII。ONLYTHREEYEARS。

When，atlast，theownerofthestoreenteredtheoffice，hisfaceshowedextremeirritation。Hedidnotvouchsafeanygreetingtothesecretary，whoregardedhimwithanaccurateperceptionofhismood。Withadiplomacybornoflongexperience，inherfirstspeechSarahaffordedanagreeablediversiontoheremployer"slineofthought。

"Mr。Hastings，oftheEmpirestore，calledyouup，Mr。Gilder，andaskedmetolethimknowwhenyoureturned。ShallIgethimonthewire？"

Theman"sfacelightenedinstantly，andtherewaseventhebeginningofasmileonhislipsasheseatedhimselfatthegreatmahoganydesk。

"Yes，yes!"heexclaimed，withevidententhusiasm。Thesmilegrewintheshortintervalbeforetheconnectionwasmade。When，finally，headdressedhisfriendoverthetelephone，histoneswereofthecheerfulest。

"Oh，goodmorning。Yes，certainly。Fourwillsuitmeadmirably……Sunday？Yes，ifyoulike。Wecangooutafterchurch，andhaveluncheonatthecountryclub。"Afterlisteningamoment，helaughedinapleasedfashionthathadinitasuggestionofconscioussuperiority。"Mydearfellow，"hedeclaredbriskly，"youcouldn"tbeatmeinathousandyears。

Why，Imadetheeighteenholesinninety-twoonlylastweek。"Helaughedagainattheansweroverthewire，thenhungupthereceiverandpushedthetelephoneaside，asheturnedhisattentiontothepapersneatlyarrangedonthedeskreadytohishand。

Thecuriosityofthesecretarycouldnotbelongerdelayed。

"WhatdidtheydowiththeTurnergirl？"sheinquiredinanelaboratelycasualmanner。

Gilderdidnotlookupfromtheheapofpapers，butansweredratherharshly，whileonceagainhisexpressiongrewforbidding。

"Idon"tknow——Icouldn"twait，"hesaid。Hemadeapetulantgestureashewenton:"Idon"tseewhyJudgeLawlorbotheredmeaboutthematter。Heistheonetoimposesentence，notI。Iamhoursbehindwithmyworknow。"

Forafewminuteshegavehimselfuptotheroutineofbusiness，distributingthecorrespondenceandothervariouspapersfortheactionofsubordinates，andspeakinghisordersoccasionallytotheattentivesecretarywithaquicknessandprecisionthatproclaimedthecapableexecutive。Theobserverwouldhaverealizedatoncethatherewasamanobviouslyfittedtothecontroloflargeaffairs。Theabilitythatmarchesinevitablytosuccessshowedunmistakablyinthefaceandform，andinthefashionofspeech。EdwardGilderwasabigmanphysically，plainlythepossessorofthatabundantvitalenergywhichisaprimerequisiteforachievementintheorderingofmodernbusinessconcerns。

Forcewas，indeed，thedominantqualityoftheman。Histallfigurewasproportionatelybroad，andhewasheavilyfleshed。Infact，thebodywastooponderous。Perhaps，inthatcharacteristicmightbefoundacluetothechieffaultinhisnature。Forhewasponderous，spirituallyandmentally，aswellasmaterially。Thefactwasdisplayedsuggestivelyintheface，whichwastooheavywithitsprominentjowlsandaggressivechinandratherbulbousnose。Buttherewasnothingflabbyanywhere。Theamplefeaturesshowednotraceofweakness，onlyarude，aboundingstrength。Therewasnolightertouchanywhere。Evidentlyajustmanaccordingtohisownideas，yetneveronetotemperjusticewithmercy。Heappeared，andwas，averypracticalandmostprosaicbusinessman。Hewasnotgiventoahumorousoutlookonlife。Hetookitandhimselfwiththeutmostseriousness。Hewasalmostentirelylackinginimagination，thatfacultywhichisessentialtosympathy。

"Takethis，"hedirectedpresently，whenhehaddisposedofthemattersbeforehim。Forthwith，hedictatedthefollowingletter，andnowhisvoicetookonamoreunctuousnote，asofonewhoisappreciativeofhisownexcellentgenerosity。

"THEEDITOR，"TheNewYorkHerald。

"DEARSIR:Inclosedpleasefindmycheckforathousanddollarsforyourfree-icefund。Itisgoingtobeaveryhardsummerforthepoor，andIhopebythusstartingthecontributionsforyourfinecharityatthisearlydaythatyouwillbeabletoaccomplishevenmoregoodthanusually。

"Verytrulyyours。"

HeturnedaninquiringglancetowardSarah。

"That"swhatIusuallygive，isn"tit？"

Thesecretarynoddedenergetically。

"Yes，"sheagreedinherbriskmanner，"that"swhatyouhavegiveneveryyearforthelasttenyears。"

ThestatementimpressedGilderpleasantly。Hisvoicewasmoremellowashemadecomment。Hisheavyfacewasradiant，andhesmiledcomplacently。

"Tenthousanddollarstothisonecharityalone!"heexclaimed。

"Well，itispleasanttobeabletohelpthoselessfortunatethanourselves。"Hepaused，evidentlyexpectantoflaudatorycorroborationfromthesecretary。

ButSarah，thoughshecouldbetactfulenoughonoccasion，didnotchoosetomeetheremployer"santicipationsjustnow。Forthatmatter，herintimateservicespermittedonherpartsomedegreeoffamiliaritywiththeaugustheadoftheestablishment。

Besides，shedidnotstandinaweofGilder，asdidtheothersinhisservice。Nomanisaherotohisvalet，ortohissecretary。

Intimateassociationishostiletohero-worship。So，now，Sarahspokenonchalantly，totheindignationofthephilanthropist:

"Oh，yes，sir。Speciallywhenyoumakesomuchthatyoudon"tmissit。"

Gilder"sthickgraybrowsdrewdowninafrownofdispleasure，whilehiseyesopenedslightlyinsheersurpriseoverthesecretary"sunexpectedremark。Hehesitatedforonlyaninstantbeforereplyingwithanairofgreatdignity，inwhichwasadistinctnoteofrebukeforthegirl"spresumption。

"Theprofitsfrommystorearelarge，Iadmit，Sarah。ButI

neithersmugglemygoods，takerebatesfromrailroads，conspireagainstsmallcompetitors，nordoanyofthedishonestactsthatdisgraceotherlinesofbusiness。SolongasImakemyprofitshonestly，Iamhonestlyentitledtothem，nomatterhowbigtheyare。"

Thesecretary，beingquitecontentwiththehavocshehadwroughtinheremployer"scomplacencyoverhischaritableness，nodded，andcontentedherselfwithademureassenttohisoutburst。

"Yes，sir，"sheagreed，verymeekly。

Gilderstaredatherforafewseconds，somewhatindignantly。

Then，hebethoughthimselfofasubtleformofrebukebyemphasizinghisgenerosity。

"HavethecashiersendmyusualfivehundredtotheCharitiesOrganizationSociety，"heordered。Withthisnewevidenceofhisgenerousvirtue，thefrownpassedfromhisbrows。If，forafleetingmoment，doubthadassailedhimunderthespurofthesecretary"swords，thatdoubthadnowvanishedunderhishabitualconvictionastohissterlingworthtotheworldatlarge。

Itwas，therefore，withhisaccustomedblandnessofmannerthathepresentlyacknowledgedthegreetingofGeorgeDemarest，thechiefofthelegalstaffthatlookedafterthefirm"saffairs。

HewasawarewithoutbeingtoldthatthelawyerhadcalledtoacquainthimwiththeissueinthetrialofMaryTurner。

"Well，Demarest？"heinquired，asthedapperattorneyadvancedintotheroomatarapidpace，andcametoahaltfacingthedesk，afteralivelynodinthedirectionofthesecretary。

Thelawyer"sfacesobered，andhistoneasheansweredwastingedwithconstraint。

"JudgeLawlorgaveherthreeyears，"hereplied，gravely。Itwasplainfromhismannerthathedidnotaltogetherapprove。

ButGilderwasunaffectedbytheattorney"slackofsatisfactionovertheresult。Onthecontrary，hesmiledexultantly。Hisoritundvoicetookonadeepernote，asheturnedtowardthesecretary。

"Good!"heexclaimed。"Takethis，Sarah。"Andhecontinued，asthegirlopenedhernotebookandpoisedthepencil:"BesuretohaveSmithsonpostacopyofitconspicuouslyinallthegirls"

dressing-rooms，andinthereading-room，andinthelunch-rooms，andintheassembly-room。"Heclearedhisthroatostentatiouslyandproceededtothedictationofthenotice:

"MaryTurner，formerlyemployedinthisstore，wasto-daysentencedtoprisonforthreeyears，havingbeenconvictedforthetheftofgoodsvaluedatoverfourhundreddollars。Themanagementwishesagaintodrawattentiononthepartofitsemployeestothefactthathonestyisalwaysthebestpolicy……

Gotthat？"

"Yes，sir。"Thesecretary"svoicewasmechanical，withoutanytraceoffeeling。Shewasnotmindedtodisturbheremployerasecondtimethismorningbyinjudiciouscomment。

"TakeittoSmithson，"Gildercontinued，"andtellhimthatI

wishhimtoattendtoitsbeingpostedaccordingtomydirectionsatonce。"

Again，thegirlmadeherformalresponseintheaffirmative，thenlefttheroom。

Gilderbroughtforthaboxofcigarsfromadrawerofthedesk，openeditandthrustittowardthewaitinglawyer，who，however，shookhisheadinrefusal，andcontinuedtomoveabouttheroomratherrestlessly。Demarestpaidnoattentiontotheother"sinvitationtoaseat，butthecourtesywasperfunctoryonGilder"spart，andhehardlyperceivedtheperturbationofhiscaller，forhewasoccupiedinselectingandlightingacigarwiththecareofaconnoisseur。Finally，hespokeagain，andnowtherewasaninfinitecontentmentintherichvoice。

"Threeyears——threeyears!Thatoughttobeawarningtotherestofthegirls。"HelookedtowardDemarestforacquiescence。

Thelawyer"sbrowswereknitashefacedtheproprietorofthestore。

"Funnything，thiscase!"heejaculated。"Insomefeatures，oneofthemostunusualIhaveseensinceIhavebeenpracticinglaw。"

ThesmugcontentmentabodestillonGilder"sfaceashepuffedinleisurelyeaseonhiscigarandutteredatritecondolence。

"Verysad!——quiteso!Verysadcase，Icallit。"Demarestwentonspeaking，withashowoffeeling:"Mostunusualcase，inmyestimation。Yousee，thegirlkeepsondeclaringherinnocence。

That，ofcourse，iscommonenoughinaway。Buthere，it"sdifferent。Thepointis，somehow，shemakesherprotestationsmoreconvincingthantheyusuallydo。Theyringtrue，asitseemstome。"

Gildersmiledtolerantly。

"Theydidn"tringverytruetothejury，itwouldseem，"heretorted。Andhisvoicewastartasheadded:"Nortothejudge，sincehedeemedithisdutytogiveherthreeyears。"

"Somepersonsarenotverysensitivetoimpressionsinsuchcases，Iadmit，"Demarestreturned，coolly。Ifhemeantanysubtletyofallusiontohishearer，itfailedwhollytopiercethearmorofcomplacency。

"Thestolengoodswerefoundinherlocker，"Gilderdeclaredinatoneoffinality。"Someofthem，Ihavebeengiventounderstand，wereactuallyinthepocketofhercoat。"

"Well，"theattorneysaidwithasmile，"thatsortofthingmakesgood-enoughcircumstantialevidence，andwithoutcircumstantialevidencetherewouldbefewconvictionsforcrime。Yet，asalawyer，I"mfreetoadmitthatcircumstantialevidencealoneisneverquitesafeasproofofguilt。Naturally，shesayssomeoneelsemusthaveputthestolengoodsthere。Asamatterofexactreasoning，thatisquitewithinthemeasureofpossibility。Thatsortofthinghasbeendonecountlesstimes。"

Gildersniffedindignantly。

"Andforwhatreason？"hedemanded。"It"stooabsurdtothinkabout。"

"Insimilarcases，"thelawyeranswered，"thoseactuallyguiltyofthetheftshavethussoughttothrowsuspicionontheinnocentinordertoavoiditonthemselveswhenthepursuitgottoohotontheirtrail。Sometimes，too，suchevidencehasbeenmanufacturedmerelytosatisfyaspiteagainsttheoneunjustlyaccused。"

"It"stooabsurdtothinkabout，"Gilderrepeated，impatiently。

"Thejudgeandthejuryfoundnofaultwiththeevidence。"

Demarestrealizedthatthisadvocacyinbehalfofthegirlwashardlyfittingonthepartofthelegalrepresentativeofthestoreshewassupposedtohaverobbed，soheabruptlychangedhislineofargument。

"Shesaysthatherrecordoffiveyearsinyouremployoughttocountsomethinginherfavor。"

Gilder，however，wasnotdisposedtobesympatheticastoamattersoflagrantlyopposedtohisinterests。