第8章
"Ididn"tseefather，"hesaidhappily，"butIlefthimanoteonhisdeskattheoffice。"
Then，somehow，thesurchargedatmospherepenetratedhisconsciousness，andhelookedaround，toseehisfatherstandinggrimlyoppositehim。Buttherewasnochangeinhisexpressionbeyondamoreradiantsmile。
"Hello，Dad!"hecried，joyously。"Thenyougotmynote？"
Thevoiceoftheoldermancamewithasinisterforceandsaturnine。
"No，Dick，Ihaven"thadanynote。"
"Then，why？"Theyoungmanbrokeoffsuddenly。Hewasbecomeawarethatherewassomethingmalignant，withameaningbeyondhispresentunderstanding，forhesawtheInspectorandDemarest，andheknewthetwoofthemforwhattheywereofficially。
"Whataretheydoinghere？"hedemandedsuspiciously，staringatthetwo。
"Oh，nevermindthem，"Marysaid。Therewasamalevolentgleaminhervioleteyes。Thiswastherecompenseofwhichshehaddreamedthroughsoul-tearingages。"Justtellyourfatheryournews，Dick。"
Theyoungmanhadnocomprehensionofthefactthathewasonlyapawninthegame。Hespokewithsimplepride。
"Dad，we"remarried。MaryandIweremarriedthismorning。"
Always，Marystaredwithhereyessteadfastonthefather。Therewastriumphinhergaze。Thiswasthevengeanceforwhichshehadlonged，forwhichshehadplotted，thevengeanceshehadatlastachieved。Herewasherfruition，theperiodofhersupremacy。
Gilderhimselfseemeddazedbythebriefsentence。
"Saythatagain，"hecommanded。
Maryrejoicedtomaketheknowledgesure。
"Imarriedyoursonthismorning，"shesaidinamatter-of-facttone。"Imarriedhim。Doyouquiteunderstand，Mr。Gilder？I
marriedhim。"Inthatinsistencelayherultimatecompensationforuntoldmisery。Thefatherstoodtherewordless，unabletofindspeechagainstthiscalamitythathadbefallenhim。
ItwasBurkewhoofferedadiversion，acrudeinterruptionafterhisownfashion。
"It"saframe-up，"heroared。Heglaredattheyoungman。"Tellyourfatheritain"ttrue。Why，doyouknowwhatsheis？She"sdonetime。"Hepausedforaninstant，thenspokeinavoicethatwasbrutallymenacing。"And，byGod，she"lldoitagain!"
Theyoungmanturnedtowardhisbride。Therewasdisbelief，hope，despair，inhisface，whichhadgrownolderbyyearswiththepassingoftheseconds。
"It"salie，Mary，"hesaid。"Sayit"salie!"Heseizedherhandpassionately。
Therewasnoquiverinhervoiceassheanswered。Shedrewherhandfromhisclasp，andspokeevenly。
"It"sthetruth。"
"It"sthetruth!"theyoungmanrepeated，incredulously。
"Itisthetruth，"Marysaid，firmly。"Ihaveservedthreeyearsinprison。"
Therewasasilenceofaminutethatwaslikeyears。Itwasthefatherwhobrokeit，andnowhisvoicewasbecometremulous。
"Iwantedtosaveyou，Dick。That"swhyIcame。"
Thesoninterruptedhimviolently。
"There"samistake——theremustbe。"
ItwasDemarestwhogaveanofficialtouchtothetragedyofthemoment。
"There"snomistake，"hesaid。Therewasauthorityinhisstatement。
"Thereis，Itellyou!"Dickcried，horrifiedbythisconspiracyofdefamation。Heturnedhistorturedfacetohisbrideofaday。
"Mary，"hesaidhuskily，"thereisamistake。"
Somethinginherfaceappalledhim。Hewasvoicelessforafewterribleinstants。Thenhespokeagain，morebeseechingly。
"Saythere"samistake。"
Marypreservedherpoise。Yes——shemustnotforget!Thiswasthehourofhertriumph。Whatmattereditthatthehoneyofitwasasashesinhermouth？Shespokewithasimplicitythatadmittednodenial。
"It"sallquitetrue。"
Themanwhohadsolovedher，sotrustedher，wasoverwhelmedbytherevelation。Hestoodtremblingforamoment，tottered，almostitseemedwouldhavefallen，butpresentlysteadiedhimselfandsanksupinelyintoachair，wherehesatinimpotentsuffering。
ThefatherlookedatMarywithareproachthatwaspathetic。
"See，"hesaid，andhisheavyvoicewasforoncethinwithpassion，"seewhatyou"vedonetomyboy!"
MaryhadheldhereyesonDick。Therehadbeeninhergazeaconflictofemotions，strongandbaffling。Now，however，whenthefatherspoke，herfacegrewmorecomposed，andhereyesmethiscoldly。Hervoicewaslevelandvaguelydangerousassheansweredhisaccusation。
"Whatisthatcomparedtowhatyouhavedonetome？"
Gilderstaredatherinhonestamazement。Hehadnosuspicionastothetragedythatlaybetweenhimandher。
"WhathaveIdonetoyou？"hequestioned，uncomprehending。
Marymovedforward，passingbeyondthedesk，andcontinuedheradvancetowardhimuntilthetwostoodclosetogether，facetoface。Shespokesoftly，butwithanintensityofsupremefeelinginhervoice。
"DoyourememberwhatIsaidtoyouthedayyouhadmesentaway？"
Themerchantregardedherwithstarklackofunderstanding。
"Idon"trememberyouatall，"hesaid。
Thewomanlookedathimintentlyforamoment，thenspokeinacolorlessvoice。
"PerhapsyourememberMaryTurner，whowasarrestedfouryearsagoforrobbingyourstore。Andperhapsyourememberthatsheaskedtospeaktoyoubeforetheytookhertoprison。"
Theheavy-jowledmangaveastart。
"Oh，youbegintoremember。Yes!Therewasagirlwhosworeshewasinnocent——yes，shesworethatshewasinnocent。Andshewouldhavegotoff——only，youaskedthejudgetomakeanexampleofher。"
Themantowhomshespokehadgonegrayalittle。Hebegantounderstand，forhewasnotlackinginintelligence。Somehow，itwasborneinonhimthatthiswomanhadagrievancebeyondtheusualrunofinjuries。
"Youarethatgirl？"hesaid。Itwasnotaquestion，ratheranaffirmation。
Maryspokewiththedignityoflongsuffering——morethanthat，withtheconfidentdignityofavengeancelongdelayed，nowatlastachieved。Herwordsweresimpleenough，buttheytouchedtotheheartofthemanaccusedbythem。
"Iamthatgirl。"
Therewasalittleintervalofsilence。Then，Maryspokeagain，remorselessly。
"Youtookawaymygoodname。Yousmashedmylife。Youputmebehindthebars。Youoweforallthat……Well"I"vebeguntocollect。"
Themanoppositeher，themanofvigorousform，ofstrongfaceandkeeneyes，stoodgazingintentlyforlongmoments。Inthattime，hewaslearningmanythings。Finally，hespoke。
"Andthatiswhyyoumarriedmyboy。"
"Itis。"Marygavetheanswercoldly，convincingly。
Convincingly，savetoone——herhusband。Dicksuddenlyaroused，andspokewiththeviolenceofonesure。
"Itisnot!"
Burkeshoutedawarning。Demarest，morediplomatic，madearestraininggesturetowardthepoliceofficial，thenstartedtoaddresstheyoungmansoothingly。
ButDickwouldhavenoneoftheirinterference。
"Thisismyaffair，"hesaid，andtheothersfellsilent。HestoodupandwenttoMary，andtookhertwohandsinhis，verygently，yetveryfirmly。
"Mary，"hesaidsoftly，yetwithastrengthofconviction，"youmarriedmebecauseyouloveme。"
Thewifeshuddered，butshestrovetodeny。
"No，"shesaidgravely，"no，Ididnot!"
"Andyoulovemenow!"hewentoninsistingly。
"No，no!"Mary"sdenialcamelikeacryforescape。
"Youlovemenow!"Therewasamasterfulqualityinhisdeclaration，whichseemedtoignorehernegation。
"Idon"t，"sherepeatedbitterly。
Buthewasinexorable。
"Lookmeintheface，andsaythat。"
Hetookherfaceinhishands，liftedit，andhiseyesmetherssearchingly。
"Lookmeintheface，andsaythat，"herepeated。
Therewasasilencethatseemedlong，thoughitwasmeasuredinthepassingofseconds。Thethreewatchersdarednotinterruptthisdramaofemotions，but，atlast，Mary，whohadplannedsolongforthishour，gatheredherforcesandspokevaliantly。Hervoicewaslow，butwithoutanyweaknessofdoubt。
"Idonotloveyou。"
Intheinstantofreply，DickGilder，bysomeinspirationoflove，changedhisattitude。"Justthesame，"hesaidcheerfully，"youaremywife，andI"mgoingtokeepyouandmakeyouloveme。"
Maryfeltathrilloffearthroughherverysoul。
"Youcan"t!"shecriedharshly。"Youarehisson!"
"She"sacrook!"Burkesaid。
"Idon"tcareadamnwhatyou"vebeen!"Dickexclaimed。"Fromnowonyou"llgostraight。You"llwalkthestraightestlineawomaneverwalked。You"llputallthoughtsofvengeanceoutofyourheart，becauseI"llfillitwithsomethingbigger——I"mgoingtomakeyouloveme。"
Burke，withhisrousingvoice，spokeagain:
"Itellyou，she"sacrook!"
Marymovedalittle，andthenturnedherfacetowardGilder。
"And，ifIam，whomademeone？Youcan"tsendagirltoprison，andhavehercomeoutanythingelse。"
Burkeswunghimselfaroundinamovementofcompletedisgust。
"Shedidn"tgethertimeforgoodbehavior。"
Maryraisedherhead，haughtily，withagestureofhighdisdain。
"AndI"mproudofit!"cameherinstantretort。"Doyouknowwhatgoesontherebehindthosestonewalls？Doyou，Mr。
DistrictAttorney，whosebusinessitistosendgirlsthere？Doyouknowwhatagirlisexpectedtodo，togettimeoffforgoodbehavior？Ifyoudon"t，askthekeepers。"
Gildermovedfussily。
"Andyou——"
Maryswayedalittle，standingtherebeforeherquestioner。
"Iservedeveryminuteofmytime——everyminuteofit，threefull，wholeyears。DoyouwonderthatIwanttogeteven，thatsomeonehasgottopay？Fouryearsago，youtookawaymyname——andgavemeanumber……Now，I"vegivenupthenumber——andI"vegotyourname。"
CHAPTERXV。AFTERMATHOFTRAGEDY。
TheGilders，bothfatherandson，enduredmuchsufferingthroughoutthenightanddaythatfollowedthesceneinMaryTurner"sapartment，whenshehadmadeknowntheaccomplishmentofherrevengeontheoldermanbyherensnaringoftheyounger。
Dickhadfollowedtheothersoutofherpresenceathercommand，emphasizedbyherleavinghimalonewhenhewouldhavepleadedfurtherwithher。Sincethen，hehadstriventoobtainanotherinterviewwithhisbride，butshehadrefusedhim。Hewasdeniedadmissiontotheapartment。Onlythemaidansweredtheringingofthetelephone，andhisnoteswereseeminglyunheeded。
Distraughtbythisviolentinterjectionoftormentintoalifethathithertohadknownnoimportantsuffering，DickGildershowedwhatmettleofmanlaybeneathhisdebonairappearance。
Andthatmettlewasofakindworthwhile。Inthesehoursofgrief，thesoulofhimputoutitsstrength。Helearnedbeyondperadventureofdoubtthatthewomanwhomhehadmarriedwasintruthanex-convict，evenasBurkeandDemaresthaddeclared。
Nevertheless，hedidnotforaninstantbelievethatshewasguiltyofthecrimewithwhichshehadbeenoriginallychargedandforwhichshehadservedasentenceinprison。Fortherest，hecouldunderstandinsomedegreehowthevenomofthewronginflictedonherhadpoisonedhernaturethroughtheyears，tillshehadworkedoutitsevilthroughtheschemeofwhichhewastheinnocentvictim。Hecaredlittleforthefactthatrecentlyshehaddevotedherselftodeviousdevicesformakingmoney，toingeniousschemesforlegalplunder。Inhissummingofher，hesetasmorethananoffsettoherunrighteousnessinthisregardthedesperatestruggleshehadmadeafterleavingprisontokeepstraight，which，ashelearned，hadendedinherattemptatsuicide。Heknewtheintelligenceofthiswomanwhomheloved，andinhisheartwasnothoughtofherfaultsasvitalflaws。Itseemedtohimratherthatcircumstanceshadcompelledher，andthatthroughallthesufferingofherlifeshehadretainedthemorebeautifulqualitiesofherwomanliness，forwhichhereverencedher。Intheclosenessoftheirassociation，shortasithadbeen，hehadlearnedtoknowsomethingofthetendererdepthswithinher，thekindlinessofher，thewholesomeness。
Swayedashewasbythelovelinessofher，hewasyetmoreenthralledbythoseinnerqualitiesofwhichtheouterbeautywasonlythefittingsymbol。
So，inthefaceofthiscatastrophe，wherealesslovemusthavebeendestroyedutterly，Dickremainedloyal。Hispassionateregarddidnotfalterforamoment。Itneverevenoccurredtohimthathemightcastheroff，mightyieldtohisfather"sprayers，andabandonher。Onthecontrary，hisonlypurposewastogainherforhimself，tocherishandguardheragainsteveryill，toprotectwithhislovefromeveryattackofshameorinjury。Hewouldnotbelievethatthegirldidnotcareforhim。
Whateverhadbeenherfirstpurposeofusinghimonlyasaninstrumentthroughwhichtostrikeagainsthisfather，whatevermightbeherpresentplanofeliminatinghimfromherlifeinthefuture，hestillwassurethatshehadgrowntoknowarealandlastingaffectionforhimself。Herememberedstartledglancesfromthevioleteyes，caughtunawares，andthemusicofhervoiceinrareinstants，andthesetoldhimthatloveforhimstirred，eventhoughitmightasyetbebutfaintly，inherheart。
Outofthatfact，hedrewanimmediatecomfortinthisperiodofhismisery。Nevertheless，hisanguishwasarackingone。Hegrewoldervisiblyinthenightandtheday。Therecreptsuddenlylinesofnewfeelingintohisface，and，too，linesofnewstrength。Theboydiedinthattime；themanwasborn，cameforthinthefullofhissteadfastnessandhiscourage，andhislove。
Thefathersufferedwiththeson。Hewasaproudman，intenselygratifiedoverthecommandingpositiontowhichhehadachievedinthecommercialworld，proudofhisbusinessintegrity，ofhisstandinginthecommunityasaleader，proudofhissocialposition，proudmostofallofthesonwhomhesoloved。Now，thishideousdisasterthreatenedhisprideateveryturn——worse，itthreatenedtheonepersonintheworldwhomhereallyloved。
Mostfatherswouldhavestormedattheboywhenpleadingfailed，wouldhavegivencommandswithharshness，wouldhavemenacedtherecalcitrantwithdisinheritance。EdwardGilderdidnoneofthesethings，thoughhisheartwassorelywounded。Helovedhissontoomuchtocontemplatemakingmoreevilfortheladbyanyestrangementbetweenthem。YethefeltthatthemattercouldnotsafelybeleftinthehandsofDickhimself。Herealizedthathissonlovedthewoman——norcouldhewondermuchatthat。HiskeeneyeshadperceivedMaryTurner"sgracesofform，herlovelinessofface。Hehadapprehended，too，insomemeasureatleast，thefinenessofhermentalfiberandthecapacitiesofherheart。Deepwithinhim，deniedanyoutlet，heknewtherelurkedacurious，subtlesympathyforthegirlinherschemeofrevengeagainsthimself。Herpersistentstrivingtowardtheobjectofherambitionwassomethinghecouldunderstand，sincethelikethingindifferentguisehadbeenbackofhisownbusinesssuccess。Hewouldnotlettheidearisetothesurfaceofconsciousness，forhestillrefusedtobelievethatMaryTurnerhadsufferedathishandunjustly。Hewouldthinkofherasnothingelsethanavilecreature，whohadcaughthissoninthetoilsofherbeautyandcharm，forthepurposeofeventuallymakingmoneyoutoftheintrigue。
Gilder，inhislibrarythisnight，waspacingimpatientlytoandfro，eagerlylisteningforthesoundofhisson"sreturntothehouse。HehadbeentheguestofhonorthatnightatanimportantmeetingoftheCivicCommittee，andhehadspokenwithhisusualclarityandearnestnessinspiteofthetroublethatbesethim。
Now，however，theregenerationofthecitywasfarfromhisthought，andhissoleconcernwaswiththeregenerationofalife，thatofhisson，whichbadefairtoberuinedbythewilesofawickedwoman。HewasanxiousforthecomingofDick，towhomhewouldmakeonemoreappeal。Ifthatshouldfail——well，hemustusetheinfluencesathiscommandtosecuretheforciblepartingoftheadventuressfromhisson。
Theroominwhichhepacedtoandfrowasofasoliddignity，wellfittedtoserveasanenvironmentforitsowner。Itwasverylarge，andlofty。Therewasmassivenessinthedeskthatstoodoppositethehalldoor，nearawindow。Thisparticularwindowitselfwashuge，high，juttinginoctagonal，withleadedpanes。Inaddition，therewasagreatfireplacesetwithtiles，aroundwhichwaswoodworkelaboratelycarved，thefruitofpatientquestingabroad。Onthewallswerehungsomepiecesoftapestry，wheretherewerenotbookcases。Overtheoctagonalwindow，too，suchdraperiesfellinstatelylines。Now，asthemagnatepacedbackandforth，therewasonlyagentlelightintheroom，fromareading-lamponhisdesk。Thehugechandelierwasunlighted……ItwasevenasGilder，inanincreasingirritationoverthedelay，hadthrownhimselfdownonacouchwhichstoodjustalittlewaywithinanalcove，thatheheardtheouterdooropenandshut。Hesprangupwithanejaculationofsatisfaction。
"Dick，atlast!"hemuttered。
Itwas，intruth，theson。Amomentlater，heenteredtheroom，andwentatoncetohisfather，whowasstandingwaiting，facingthedoor。
"I"mawfullysorryI"msolate，Dad，"hesaidsimply。
"Wherehaveyoubeen？"thefatherdemandedgravely。Buttherewasgreataffectionintheflashofhisgrayeyesashescannedtheyoungman"sface，andthetouchofthehandthatheputonDick"sshoulderwasverytender。"Withthatwomanagain？"
Theboy"svoicewasdisconsolateashereplied:
"No，father，notwithher。Shewon"tseeme。"
Theoldermansnortedawrathfulappreciation。
"Naturally!"heexclaimedwithexceedingbitternessintheheavyvoice。"She"sgotallshewantedfromyou——myname!"Herepeatedthewordswithagrimaceofexasperation:"Myname!"
Therewasanoveldignityintheson"stoneashespoke。
"It"smine，too，youknow，sir，"hesaidquietly。
Thefatherwasimpressedofasuddenwiththefactthat，whilethisaffairwasofsupremeimporttohimself，itwas，afterall，ofstillgreatersignificancetohisson。Tohimself，thechiefconcernswereoftheworldlykind。Tothisboy，thevitalthingwassomethingdeeper，somethingoftheheart:for，howeverabsurdhisfeeling，thetruthremainedthathelovedthewoman。Yes，itwastheson"snamethatMaryTurnerhadtaken，aswellasthatofhisfather。Inthecaseoftheson，shehadtakennotonlyhisname，buthisverylife。Yes，itwas，indeed，Dick"stragedy。
Whateverhe，thefather，mightfeel，thesonwas，afterall，moreaffected。Hemustsuffermore，mustlosemore，mustpaymorewithhappinessforhisfolly。
Gilderlookedathissonwithastrange，newrespect，buthecouldnotletthesituationgowithoutprotest，protestofthemostvehement。
"Dick，"hecried，andhisbigvoicewasshakenalittlebytheforceofhisemotion；"boy，youareallIhaveintheworld。Youwillhavetofreeyourselffromthiswomansomehow。"Hestoodveryerect，staringsteadfastlyoutofhiscleargrayeyesintothoseofhisson。Hisheavyfacewasrigidwithfeeling；thecoarsemouthbentslightlyinasmileoftroubledfondness，asheaddedmoresoftly:"Youowemethatmuch。"
Theson"seyesmethisfather"sfreely。Therewasrespectinthem，andaffection，buttherewassomethingelse，too，somethingtheoldermanrecognizedasbeyondhiscontrol。Hespokegravely，withadeliberateconviction。
"Iowesomethingtoher，too，Dad。"
ButGilderwouldnotletthestatementgounchallenged。Hisheavyvoicerangoutrebukingly，overtonedwithprotest。
"Whatcanyouoweher？"hedemandedindignantly。"Shetrickedyouintothemarriage。Why，legally，it"snoteventhat。
There"sbeennothingmorethanaweddingceremony。Thecourtsholdthatthatisonlyapartofthemarriageactually。Thefactthatshedoesn"treceiveyoumakesitsimpler，too。Itcanbearranged。Wemustgetyououtofthescrape。"
Heturnedandwenttothedesk，asiftosit，buthewashaltedbyhisson"sanswer，givenverygently，yetwithanoteoffinalitythattothefather"searranglikethecrackofdoom。
"I"mnotsurethatIwanttogetoutofit，father。"
Thatwasall，butthoseplainwordssummedthesituation，madetheissueamatternotofadvice，butoftheheart。
Gilderpersisted，however，intryingtoevadetheintegralfactofhisson"sfeeling。Stillhetriedtofixtheissueontheknownunsavoryreputationofthewoman。
"Youwanttostaymarriedtothisjail-bird!"hestormed。
Agustoffuryswepttheboy。Helovedthewoman，inspiteofall；herespectedher，evenreverencedher。Tohearherthusnamedmovedhimtoaragealmostbeyondhiscontrol。Buthemasteredhimself。Herememberedthatthemanwhospokelovedhim；heremembered，too，thatthewordofopprobriumwasnomorethanthetruth，howeveroffensiveitmightbetohissensitiveness。Hewaitedamomentuntilhecouldholdhisvoiceeven。Thenhiswordswerethesternestprotestthatcouldhavebeenuttered，thoughtheycamefromnoexerciseofthought，onlyoutofthedeepsofhisheart。
"I"mveryfondofher。"
Thatwasall。Butthesimplesincerityofthesayinggripedthefather"smood，asnoargumentcouldhavedone。Therewasalittlesilence。Afterall，whatcouldmeetsuchlovingloyalty？
Whenatlasthespoke，Gilder"svoicewassubdued，alittlehusky。
"Now，thatyouknow？"hequestioned。
Therewasnofalteringintheanswer。
"Now，thatIknow，"Dicksaiddistinctly。Thenabruptly，theyoungmanspokewiththeenergyofperfectfaithinthewoman。
"Don"tyousee，father？Why，sheisjustifiedinaway，inherownmindanyhow，Imean。Shewasinnocentwhenshewassenttoprison。Shefeelsthattheworldowesher——"
Buttheoldermanwouldnotpermittheassertiontogouncontradicted。Thatreferencetothewoman"sinnocencewasanarraignmentofhimself，forithadbeenhewhosenthertothetermofimprisonment。
"Don"ttalktomeaboutherinnocence!"hesaid，andhisvoicewasominous。"Isupposenextyouwillarguethat，becauseshe"sbeencleverenoughtokeepwithinthelaw，sinceshe"sgotoutofStatePrison，she"snotacriminal。Butletmetellyou——crimeiscrime，whetherthelawtouchesitintheparticularcase，orwhetheritdoesn"t。"
Gilderfacedhissonsternlyforamoment，andthenpresentlyspokeagainwithdeeperearnestness。
"There"sonlyonecourseopentoyou，myboy。Youmustgivethisgirlup。"
Thesonmethisfather"sgazewithalevellookinwhichtherewasnoweakness。
"I"vetoldyou，Dad——"hebegan。
"Youmust，Itellyou，"thefatherinsisted。Thenhewentonquickly，withatoneofutmostpositiveness。"Ifyoudon"t，whatareyougoingtodothedayyourwifeisthrownintoapatrolwagonandcarriedtoPoliceHeadquarters——forit"ssuretohappen？Thecleverestofpeoplemakemistakes，andsomedayshe"llmakeone。"
Dickthrewouthishandsinagestureofsupremedenial。Hewasfuriousatthissuppositionthatshewouldcontinueinherirregularpractices。
Butthefatherwentonremorselessly。
"Theywillstandherupwherethedetectiveswillwalkpastherwithmasksontheirfaces。Herpicture，ofcourse，isalreadyintheRogues"Gallery，buttheywilltakeanother。Yes，andtheimprintsofherfingers，andthemeasurementsofherbody。"
Thesonwaswrithingunderthewords。Thewomanofwhomthesethingsweresaidwasthewomanwhomheloved。Itwasblasphemytothinkofherinsuchcase，subjectedtothedegradationoftheseprocesses。Yet，everywordhadinitthepiercing，horriblestingoftruth。Hisfacewhitened。Heraisedasupplicatinghand。
"Father!"
"That"swhattheywilldotoyourwife，"Gilderwentonharshly；
"tothewomanwhobearsyournameandmine。"Therewasalittlepause，andthefatherstoodrigid，menacing。Thefinalquestioncamerasping。"Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
Dickwentforwarduntilhewasclosetohisfather。Thenhespokewithprofoundconviction。
"Itwillneverhappen。Shewillgostraight，Dad。ThatIknow。
YouwouldknowitifyouonlyknewherasIdo。"
Gilderonceagainputhishandtenderlyonhisson"sshoulder。
Hisvoicewasmodulatedtoanunaccustomedmildnessashespoke。
"Besensible，boy，"hepleadedsoftly。"Besensible!"
Dickdroppeddownonthecouch，andmadehisanswerverygently，hiseyesunseeingashedweltonthethingsheknewofthewomanheloved。
"Why，Dad，"hesaid，"sheisyoung。She"sjustlikeachildinahundredways。Shelovesthetreesandthegrassandtheflowers——andeverythingthat"ssimpleandreal!Andasforherheart——"Hisvoicewaslowandverytender:"Why，herheartisthebiggestI"veeverknown。It"sjustoverflowingwithsweetnessandkindness。I"veseenherpickupababythathadfalleninthestreet，andmotheritinawaythat——well，noonecoulddoitasshedidit，unlesshersoulwasclean。"
Thefatherwassilent，alittleawed。Hemadeanefforttoshakeoffthefeeling，andspokewithasneer。
"Youheardwhatshesaidyesterday，andyoustillaresuchafoolastothinkthat。"
Theanswerofthesoncamewithanimmutablefinality，thesublimefaithoflove。
"Idon"tthink——Iknow!"
Gilderwasindespair。Whatargumentcouldavailhim？Hecriedoutsharplyindesperation。
"Doyourealizewhatyou"redoing？Don"tgotosmash，Dick，justatthebeginningofyourlife。Oh，Ibegyou，boy，stop!Putthisgirloutofyourthoughtsandstartfresh。"
Thereplywasofthesimplest，anditwastheendofargument。
"Father，"Dicksaid，verygently，"Ican"t。"
Therefollowedalittleperiodofquietbetweenthetwo。Thefather，fromhisdesk，stoodfacinghisson，whothusdeniedhiminallhonestybecausetheheartsocommanded。Thesonrestedmotionlessandlookedwithunflinchingeyesintohisfather"sface。Inthegazeofeachwasagreataffection。
"You"reallIhave，myboy，"theoldermansaidatlast。Andnowthebigvoicewasamildestwhisperoflove。
"Yes，Dad，"cametheanswer——anotherwhisper，sinceitishardtovoicethetruthoffeelingsuchasthis。"IfIcouldavoidit，I
wouldn"thurtyouforanythingintheworld。I"msorry，Dad，awfullysorry——"Hehesitated，thenhisvoicerangoutclearly。
Therewasinhistone，whenhespokeagain，arecognitionofthatlonelinesswhichisthecurseandthecrownofbeing:
"But，"heended，"Imustfightthisoutbymyself——fightitoutinmyownway……AndI"mgoingtodoit!"
CHAPTERXVI。BURKEPLOTS。
Thebutlerentered。
"Amantoseeyou，sir，"hesaid。
Gildermadeagestureofirritation，ashesankintothechairathisdesk。
"Ican"tseeanyoneto-night，Thomas，"heexclaimed，sharply。
"Buthesaiditwasmostimportant，sir，"theservantwenton。
Heheldoutthetrayinsistently。
Themastertookthecardgrudgingly。Ashiseyescaughtthename，hisexpressionchangedslightly。
"Verywell，"hesaid，"showhimup。"Hisglancemetthewonderinggazeofhisson。
"It"sBurke，"heexplained。
"Whatonearthcanhewant——atthistimeofnight？"Dickexclaimed。
Thefathersmiledgrimly。
"Youmayaswellgetusedtovisitsfromthepolice。"Therewassomethingghastlyintheefforttowardplayfulness。
Amomentlater，InspectorBurkeenteredtheroom。
"Oh，you"rehere，too，"hesaid，ashiseyesfellonDick。
"That"sgood。Iwantedtoseeyou，too。"
InspectorBurkewas，infact，muchconcernedoverthesituationthathaddeveloped。Hewasamanofundoubtedability，andhetookakeenprofessionalprideinhiswork。Hepossessedthefaultsofhisclass，wasnottooscrupulouswherehesawasafeopportunitytomakeasnugsumofmoneythroughtheemploymentofhisofficialauthority，wasreadytobuckletothosewhoseinfluencecouldhelporhinderhisambition。But，inspiteoftheseordinarydefects，hewasfondofhisworkandwishfultoexcelinit。Thus，MaryTurnerhadcometobeathorninhisside。Shefloutedhisauthorityandsustainedherincredibleeffronterybyarestrainingorderfromthecourt。Thethingwasoutrageoustohim，andhesethimselftomatchhercunning。ThefactthatshehadinvolvedDickGilderwithinhertoilsmadehimthemoreanxioustoovercomeherinthestrifeofresourcesbetweenthem。Aftermuchstudying，hehadatlastplannedsomethingthat，whileitwouldnotdirectlytouchMaryherself，wouldatleastservetointimidateher，andaswellmakefurtheractioneasieragainsther。ItwasinpursuitofthisschemethathenowcametoGilder"shouse，andthepresenceoftheyoungmanabruptlygavehimanotherideathatmightbenefithimwell。So，hedisregardedGilder"sgreeting，andwentonspeakingtotheson。
"She"sskipped!"hesaid，triumphantly。
Dickmadeastepforward。Hiseyesflashed，andtherewasangerinhisvoiceashereplied:
"Idon"tbelieveit。"
TheInspectorsmiled，unperturbed。
"SheleftthismorningforChicago，"hesaid，lyingwithamannerthatlonghabitrenderedaltogetherconvincing。"Itoldyoushe"dgo。"Heturnedtothefather，andspokewithanairofboastfulgoodnature。"Now，allyouhavetodoistogetthisboyoutofthescrapeandyou"llbeallright。"
"Ifweonlycould!"ThecrycamewithdeepestearnestnessfromthelipsofGilder，buttherewaslittlehopeinhisvoice。
TheInspector，however，wasconfidentofsuccess，andhistonesrangcheerfullyasheanswered:
"Iguesswecanfindawaytohavethemarriageannulled，orwhatevertheydotomarriagesthatdon"ttake。"
Thebrutalassuranceofthemaninthusreferringtothingsthatweresacred，movedDicktowrath。
"Don"tyouinterfere，"hesaid。Hiswordswerespokensoftly，buttensely。
Nevertheless，Burkeheldtothetopic，butanindefinablechangeinhismannerrendereditlessoffensivetotheyoungman。
"Interfere!Huh!"heejaculated，grinningbroadly。"Why，that"swhatI"mpaidtodo。Listentome，son。Theminuteyoubeginmixingupwithcrooks，youain"tinapositiontogiveorderstoanyone。Thecrookshavegotnorightsintheeyesofthepolice。Justrememberthat。"
TheInspectorspokethesimpletruthasheknewitfromyearsofexperience。Thetheoryofthelawisthatapresumptionofinnocenceexistsuntiltheaccusedisprovenguilty。Butthepoliceareoutofsympathywithsuchfinicalmethods。Withthem，thecrookispresumedguiltyattheoutsetofwhatevermaybechargedagainsthim。Ifneedbe，therewillbeproofa-plentyagainsthim——ofthesortthattheunderworldknowstoitssorrow。
ButDickwasnotlistening。Histhoughtswereagainwhollywiththewomanheloved，who，astheInspectordeclared，hadfledfromhim。
"Where"sshegoneinChicago？"
Burkeansweredinhisusualgrufffashion，butwithanoteofkindlinessthatwasnotwithoutitseffectonDick。
"I"mnomind-reader，"hesaid。"Butshe"saswelllittlegirl，allright。I"vegottohandittoherforthat。So，she"llprobablystopattheBlackstone——thatis，untiltheChicagopolicearetippedoffthatsheisintown。"
Ofasudden，thefaceoftheyoungmantookonatotallydifferentexpression。Wherebeforehadbeenanger，nowwasavivideagerness。HewentclosetotheInspector，andspokewithintenseseriousness。
"Burke，"hesaid，pleadingly，"givemeachance。I"llleaveforChicagointhemorning。Givemetwenty-fourhoursstartbeforeyoubeginhoundingher。"