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。