Gilderhimselffeltthesurgeofemotionthatswungthroughthesemoments，buthewouldnotyieldtoit。Withhislackofimagination，hecouldnotinterpretwhatthistimemustmeantothegirlbeforehim。Rather，hemerelydeemedithisdutytocarrythroughthisunfortunateaffairwithascrupulousattentiontodetail，inthefashionthathadalwaysbeencharacteristicofhimduringtheyearsinwhichhehadsteadilymountedfromthebottomtothetop。
\"What\'stheuseofallthispretense？\"hedemanded，sharply。
\"Youweregivenafairtrial，andthere\'sanendofit。\"
Thegirl，standingtheresofeebly，seemingindeedtoclingforsupporttothemanwhoalwaysheldherthuscloselybythewrist，spokeagainwithanastonishingclearness，evenwithasortofvivacity，asifsheexplainedeasilysomethingotherwiseindoubt。
\"Oh，no，Iwasn\'t!\"shecontradictedbluntly，withasingularconfidenceofassertion。\"Why，ifthetrialhadbeenfair，I
shouldn\'tbehere。\"
TheharshvoiceofCassidyagainbrokeinonthepassionofthegirlwithaprofessionalsneer。
\"That\'sanotherthingtheyallsay。\"
Butthegirlwentonspeakingfiercely，impervioustotheman\'scoarsesarcasm，hereyes，whichhaddeepenedalmosttopurple，stillfixedpiercinglyonGilder，who，forsomereasonwhollyinexplicabletohim，felthimselfstrangelydisturbedunderthatregard。
\"DoyoucallitfairwhenthelawyerIhadwasonlyaboy——onewhomthecourttoldmetotake，aboytryinghisfirstcase——mycase，thatmeanttheruinofmylife？Mylawyer!Why，hewasjustgettingexperience——gettingitatmyexpense!\"Thegirlpausedasifexhaustedbythevehemenceofheremotion，andatlastthesparklingeyesdroopedandtheheavylidsclosedoverthem。Sheswayedalittle，sothattheofficertightenedhisclasponherwrist。
Therefollowedafewsecondsofsilence。ThenGildermadeanefforttoshakeoffthefeelingthathadsopossessedhim，andtoacertaindegreehesucceeded。
\"Thejuryfoundyouguilty，\"heasserted，withanattempttomakehisvoicemagisterialinitsseverity。
Instantly，Marywasarousedtoanewoutburstofprotest。Onceagain，hereyesshottheirfiresatthemanseatedbehindthedesk，andshewentforwardastepimperiously，draggingtheofficerinherwake。
\"Yes，thejuryfoundmeguilty，\"sheagreed，withfinescorninthemusicalcadencesofhervoice。\"Doyouknowwhy？Icantellyou，Mr。Gilder。Itwasbecausetheyhadbeenoutforthreehourswithoutreachingadecision。Theevidencedidn\'tseemtobequiteenoughforsomeofthem，afterall。Well，thejudgethreatenedtolockthemupallnight。Themenwantedtogethome。Theeasythingtodowastofindmeguilty，andletitgoatthat。Wasthatfair，doyouthink？Andthat\'snotall，either。Wasitfairofyou，Mr。Gilder？Wasitfairofyoutocometothecourtthismorning，andtellthejudgethatIshouldbesenttoprisonasawarningtoothers？\"
Aquickflushburnedonthemassivefaceofthemanwhomshethusaccused，andhiseyesrefusedtomeethersteadygazeofreproach。
\"Youknow!\"heexclaimed，inmomentaryconsternation。Again，hermoodhadaffectedhisown，sothatthroughafewhurryingsecondshefelthimselfsomehowguiltyofwrongagainstthisgirl，sofrankandsorebuking。
\"Iheardyouinthecourtroom，\"shesaid。\"Thedockisn\'tveryfarfromthebenchwhereyouspoketothejudgeaboutmycase。
Yes，Iheardyou。Itwasn\'t:DidIdoit？Or，didn\'tIdoit？
No；itwasonlythatImustbemadeawarningtoothers。\"
Again，silencefellforatenseinterval。Then，finally，thegirlspokeinadifferenttone。Wherebeforehervoicehadbeenvibrantwiththeinstinctofcomplaintagainstthemockeryofjusticeunderwhichshesuffered，nowtherewasadeepernote，thatofmostsolemntruth。
\"Mr。Gilder，\"shesaidsimply，\"asGodismyjudge，IamgoingtoprisonforthreeyearsforsomethingIdidn\'tdo。\"
Butthesincerityofherbrokencryfellonunheedingears。Thecoarsenatureoftheofficerhadlongagolostwhateverelementsofsoftnesstheremighthavebeentodevelopinagentleroccupation。Asfortheownerofthestore，hewasnotsufficientlysensitivetofeeltheverityintheaccentsofthespeaker。Moreover，hewasamanwhofollowedtheconventional，withneveradistractionduetoimaginationandsympathy。Justnow，too，hewasexperiencingakeenirritationagainsthimselfbecauseofthemannerinwhichhehadbeensensibletotheinfluenceofherprotestation，despitehiswilltothecontrary。
Thatirritationagainsthimselfonlyreactedagainstthegirl，andcausedhimtosteelhishearttoresistanytendencytowardcommiseration。So，thisdeclarationofinnocencewasmadequiteinvain——indeed，servedrathertostrengthenhisdisfavortowardthecomplainant，andtomakehismannerharsherwhenshevoicedthepitifulquestionoverwhichshehadwonderedandgrieved。
\"Whydidyouaskthejudgetosendmetoprison？\"
\"Thethievingthathasbeengoingoninthisstoreforoverayearhasgottostop，\"Gilderansweredemphatically，withallhisusualenergyofmannerrestored。Ashespoke，heraisedhiseyesandmetthegirl\'sglancefairly。Thoughtoftherobberieswasquiteenoughtomakehimpitilesstowardtheoffender。
\"Sendingmetoprisonwon\'tstopit，\"MaryTurnersaid，drearily。
\"Perhapsnot，\"Gildersternlyretorted。\"Butthediscoveryandpunishmentoftheotherguiltyoneswill。\"Hismannerchangedtoabusiness-likealertness。\"Yousentwordtomethatyoucouldtellmehowtostopthetheftsinthestore。Well，mygirl，dothis，and，whileIcanmakenodefinitepromise，I\'llseewhatcanbedoneaboutgettingyououtofyourpresentdifficulty。\"
Hepickedupapencil，pulledapadofblankpaperconvenienttohishand，andlookedatthegirlexpectantly，withaggressiveinquiryinhisgaze。\"Tellmenow，\"heconcluded，\"whowereyourpals？\"
Thematter-of-factmannerofthismanwhohadunwittinglywrongedhersofrightfullywasthelaststrawonthegirl\'sburdenofsuffering。Underit，herpatientendurancebroke，andshecriedoutinavoiceofutterdespairthatcausedGildertostartnervously，andevenimpelledthestolidofficertoafrownofremonstrance。
\"Ihavenopals!\"sheejaculated，furiously。\"Ineverstoleanythinginmylife。MustIgoontellingyouoverandoveragain？\"Hervoiceroseinawailofmisery。\"Oh，whywon\'tanyonebelieveme？\"
Gilderwasmuchoffendedbythisdisplayofanhystericalgrief，whichseemedtohisphlegmatictemperamentaltogetherunwarrantedbythecircumstances。Hespokedecisively。
\"Unlessyoucancontrolyourself，youmustgo。\"Hepushedawaythepadofpaper，andtossedthepencilasideinphysicalexpressionofhisdispleasure。\"Whydidyousendthatmessage，ifyouhavenothingtosay？\"hedemanded，withincreasingcholer。
Butnowthegirlhadregainedherformerpoise。Shestoodalittledroopingandshaken，whereforamomentshehadbeenerectandtensed。Therewasavastwearinessinherwordsassheanswered。
\"Ihavesomethingtotellyou，Mr。Gilder，\"shesaid，quietly。
\"Only，I——Isortoflostmygriponthewayhere，withthismanbymyside。\"
\"Mostof\'emdo，thefirsttime，\"theofficercommented，withacertaingrimappreciation。
\"Well？\"Gilderinsistedquerulously，asthegirlhesitated。
Atonce，Marywentonspeaking，andnowalittleincreaseofvigortrembledinhertones。
\"Whenyousitinacellforthreemonthswaitingforyourtrial，asIdid，youthinkalot。And，so，IgottheideathatifI
couldtalktoyou，Imightbeabletomakeyouunderstandwhat\'sreallywrong。AndifIcoulddothat，andsohelpouttheothergirls，whathashappenedtomewouldnot，afterall，bequitesoawful——souseless，somehow。\"Hervoiceloweredtoaquickpleading，andshebenttowardthemanatthedesk。\"Mr。Gilder，\"
shequestioned，\"doyoureallywanttostopthegirlsfromstealing？\"
\"MostcertainlyIdo，\"cametheforciblereply。
Thegirlspokewithagreatearnestness，deliberately。
\"Then，givethemafairchance。\"
Themagnatestaredinsincereastonishmentoverthisabsurd，thisfutilesuggestionforhisguidance。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"hevociferated，withrisingindignation。
Therewasanaddedhostilityinhisdemeanor，foritseemedtohimthatthisthiefofhisgoodswhomhehadbroughttojusticewasdaringtotriflewithhim。Hegrewwrathfuloverthesuspicion，butasecretcuriositystillheldhistemperwithinbounds\"Whatdoyoumean？\"herepeated；andnowthefullforceofhisstrongvoicesettheroomtrembling。
Thetonesofthegirlcamesoftlymusical，mademoredelicatelyresonanttotheearbycontrastwiththeman\'sroaring。
\"Why，\"shesaid，verygently，\"Imeanjustthis:Givethemalivingchancetobehonest。\"
\"Alivingchance!\"Thetwowordswereexplodedwithdynamicviolence。ThepreposterousnessoftheadvicefiredGilderwithresentmentsopervasivethatthroughmanysecondshefoundhimselfunabletoexpresstheragethatflamedwithinhim。
Thegirlshowedherselfundismayedbyhisanger。
\"Yes，\"shewenton，quietly；\"that\'sallthereistoit。Givethemalivingchancetogetenoughfoodtoeat，andadecentroomtosleepin，andshoesthatwillkeeptheirfeetoffthepavementwintermornings。Doyouthinkthatanygirlwantstosteal？Doyouthinkthatanygirlwantstorisk——？\"
Bythistime，however，Gilderhadregainedhispowersofspeech，andheinterruptedstormily。
\"Andisthiswhatyouhavetakenupmytimefor？Youwanttomakeamaudlinpleaforguilty，dishonestgirls，whenIthoughtyoureallymeanttobringmefacts。\"
Nevertheless，Marywentonwithherarraignmentuncompromisingly。
Therewasastrange，compellingenergyinherinflectionsthatpenetratedeventhepachydermatousofficer，sothat，thoughhethoughtherraving，heletherraveon，whichwasnotatallhishabitofconduct，anddidindeedsurprisehimmightily。AsforGilder，hefelthelplessinsomepuzzlingfashionthatwastotallyforeigntohisordinaryself。Hewasstillglowingwithwrathoverthemethodbywhichhehadbeenvictimizedintogivingthegirlahearing。Yet，despitehischagrin，herealizedthathecouldnotsendherfromhimforthwith。Bysomeinexplicablespellsheboundhimimpotent。
\"Weworkninehoursaday，\"thequietvoicewenton，acuriouspathosintherichtimbreofit；\"ninehoursaday，forsixdaysintheweek。That\'safact，isn\'tit？Andthetroubleis，anhonestgirlcan\'tliveonsixdollarsaweek。Shecan\'tdoit，andbuyfoodandclothes，andpayroom-rentandcarfare。That\'sanotherfact，isn\'tit？\"
Maryregardedtheownerofthestorewithgravequestioninginhervioleteyes。Undertheurgencyofemotion，colorcreptintothepallidcheeks，andnowherfacewasverybeautiful——sobeautiful，indeed，thatforalittlethecharmofitslovelinesscaughttheman\'sgaze，andhewatchedherwithanewrespect，bornofappreciationforherfemininedelightfulness。Theimpressionwasfartoobrief。Gilderwasnotgiventoestheticrapturesoverwomen。Always，thebusinessinstinctwasthedominant。So，aftertheshortperiodofamazedadmirationoversuchunexpectedwinsomeness，histhoughtsflewbackangrilytothematterswhereofshespokesoridiculously。
\"Idon\'tcaretodiscussthesethings，\"hedeclaredperemptorily，asthegirlremainedsilentforamoment。
\"AndIhavenowishtodiscussanything，\"Maryreturnedevenly。
\"Ionlywanttogiveyouwhatyouaskedfor——facts。\"Afaintsmileofreminiscencecurvedthegirl\'slips。\"Whentheyfirstlockedmeup，\"sheexplained，withoutanyparticularevidenceofemotion，\"Iusedtositandhateyou。\"
\"Oh，ofcourse!\"camethecausticexclamationfromGilder。
\"Andthen，Ithoughtthatperhapsyoudidnotunderstand，\"Marycontinued；\"that，ifIweretotellyouhowthingsreallyare，itmightbeyouwouldchangethemsomehow。\"
Atthisingenuousstatement，theownerofthestoregaveforthagaspofsheerstupefaction。
\"I!\"hecried，incredulously。\"Ichangemybusinesspolicybecauseyouaskmeto!\"
Therewassomethingimperturbableinthequalityofthevoiceasthegirlwentresolutelyforwardwithherexplanation。Itwasasifsheweredischargingadutynottobegainsaid，nottobethwartedbyanydifficulty，noteventherealizationthatalltheeffortmustbeultimatelyinvain。
\"Doyouknowhowwegirlslive？——but，ofcourse，youdon\'t。
Threeofusinoneroom，doingourowncookingoverthetwo-burnergas-stove，andourownwashingandironingevenings，afterbeingonourfeetforninehours。\"
Theenumerationofthesordiddetailslefttheemployerabsolutelyunmoved，sincehelackedtheimaginationnecessarytosympathizeactuallywiththestrainingevilofalifesuchasthegirlhadknown。Indeed，hespokewithanairofjustremonstrance，asifthegirl\'schargesweremischievouslyfaulty。
\"Ihaveprovidedchairsbehindthecounters，\"hestated。
Therewasnoespecialchangeinthegirl\'svoiceassheansweredhisdefense。Itcontinuedmusicallylow，buttherewasinittheinsistentnoteofsincerity。
\"Buthaveyoueverseenagirlsittinginoneofthem？\"shequestioned，coldly。\"Pleaseanswerme。Haveyou？Ofcoursenot，\"shesaid，afteralittlepauseduringwhichtheownerhadremainedsilent。Sheshookherheadinemphaticnegation。\"Anddoyouunderstandwhy？It\'ssimplybecauseeverygirlknowsthatthemanagerofherdepartmentwouldthinkhecouldgetalongwithouther，ifheweretoseehersittingdown——loafing，youknow!So，shewouldbedischarged。Allitamountstoisthat，afterbeingonherfeetforninehours，thegirlusuallywalkshome，inordertosavecarfare。Yes，shewalks，whethersickorwell。Anyhow，youaregenerallysotired，itdon\'tmakemuchdifferencewhichyouare。\"
Gilderwasfumingunderthesestrictures，whichseemedtohimaltogetherbaselessattacksonhimself。Hisexasperationsteadilywaxedagainstthegirl，aconvictedfelon，whothushadtheaudacitytobeardhim。
\"Whathasallthistodowiththequestionoftheftinthestore？\"herumbled，huffily。\"Thatwastheexcuseforyourcominghere。And，insteadoftellingmesomething，yourantaboutgas-stovesandcarfare。\"
Theinexorablevoicewentoninitsmonotone，asifhehadnotspoken。
\"And，whenyouarereallysick，andhavetostopwork，whatareyougoingtodothen？Doyouknow，Mr。Gilder，thatthefirsttimeastraightgirlsteals，it\'softenbecauseshehadtohaveadoctor——orsomeluxurylikethat？Andsomeofthemdoworsethansteal。Yes，theydo——girlsthatstartedstraight，andwantedtostaythatway。But，ofcourse，someofthemgetsotiredofthewholegrindthat——that——\"
Themanwhowastheemployerofhundredsconcerningwhomthesegrimtruthswereuttered，stirreduneasilyinhischair，andtherecameatouchofcolorintothehealthybrownofhischeeksashespokehisprotest。
\"I\'mnottheirguardian。Ican\'twatchoverthemaftertheyleavethestore。Theyarepaidthecurrentrateofwages——asmuchasanyotherstorepays。\"Ashespoke，theangerprovokedbythisunexpectedassaultonhimoutofthemouthofaconvictflamedhighinvirtuousrepudiation。\"Why，\"hewentonvehemently，\"nomanlivingdoesmoreforhisemployeesthanIdo。
Whogavethegirlstheirfinerest-roomsupstairs？Idid!Whogavethemthecheaplunch-rooms？Idid!\"
\"Butyouwon\'tpaythemenoughtoliveon!\"Theveryfactthatthewordswerespokenwithoutanytraceofrancormerelymadethisstatementofindisputabletruthobnoxioustotheman，whowasstungtomoresavageresentmentinassertinghisimpugnedself-righteousness。
\"Ipaythemthesameastheotherstoresdo，\"herepeated，sullenly。
Yetonceagain，thegentlycadencedvoicegaveanswer，ananswerinformedwiththatrepulsiveinsistencetothemanwhosoughttoresistherindictmentofhim。
\"Butyouwon\'tpaythemenoughtoliveon。\"Thesimplelucidityofthechargeforbadedirectreply。
Gilderbetookhimselftoevasionbyharkingbacktotheestablishedgroundofcomplaint。
\"And，so，youclaimthatyouwereforcedtosteal。That\'sthepleayoumakeforyourselfandyourfriends。\"
\"Iwasn\'tforcedtosteal，\"cametheanswer，spokeninthemonotonethathadmarkedherutterancethroughoutmostoftheinterview。\"Iwasn\'tforcedtosteal，andIdidn\'tsteal。But，allthesame，that\'stheplea，asyoucallit，thatI\'mmakingfortheothergirls。Therearehundredsofthemwhostealbecausetheydon\'tgetenoughtoeat。IsaidIwouldtellyouhowtostopthestealing。Well，Ihavedoneit。Givethegirlsafairchancetobehonest。Youaskedmeforthenames，Mr。
Gilder。There\'sonlyonenameonwhichtoputtheblameforthewholebusiness——andthatnameisEdwardGilder!……Now，won\'tyoudosomethingaboutit？\"
Atthatnakedquestion，theownerofthestorejumpedupfromhischair，andstoodgloweringatthegirlwhoriskedarequestsofullofvituperationagainsthimself。
\"Howdareyouspeaktomelikethis？\"hethundered。
Therewasnodisconcertionexhibitedbytheonethuschallenged。
Onthecontrary，sherepeatedherquestionwithasimpledignitythatstillfurtheroutragedtheman。
\"Won\'tyou，please，dosomethingaboutit？\"
\"Howdareyou？\"heshoutedagain。Now，therewasstarkwonderinhiseyesasheputthequestion。
\"Why，Idared，\"MaryTurnerexplained，\"becauseyouhavedonealltheharmyoucantome。And，now，I\'mtryingtogiveyouthechancetodobetterbytheothers。YouaskmewhyIdare。I
havearighttodare!Ihavebeenstraightallmylife。Ihavewanteddecentfoodandwarmclothes，and——alittlehappiness，allthetimeIhaveworkedforyou，andIhavegonewithoutthosethings，justtostaystraight……Theendofitallis:YouaresendingmetoprisonforsomethingIdidn\'tdo。That\'swhyI
dare!\"
Cassidy，theofficerinchargeofMaryTurner，hadstoodpatientlybesideherallthiswhile，alwaysholdingherbythewrist。Hehadbeenmildlyinterestedintheverbalduelbetweenthebigmanofthedepartmentstoreandthisconvictinhisownkeeping。Vaguely，hehadmarveledatthesuccessofthefrailgirlindeclaimingofherinjuriesbeforethemagnate。Hehadfeltnoparticularinterestbeyondthat，merelylookingonasonemightatanyentertainingspectacle。Thequestionatissuewasnoconcernofhis。Hissolebusinesswastotakethegirlawaywhentheinterviewshouldbeended。
Itoccurredtohimnowthatthismight，infact，bethetimetodepart。Itseemed，indeed，thattheinsistentreiterationofthegirlhadatlastleftheownerofthestorequitepowerlesstoanswer。Itwaspossible，then，thatitwerewiserthegirlshouldberemoved。Withtheideainmind，hestaredinquiringlyatGilderuntilhecaughtthatflusteredgentleman\'seye。Anodfromthemagnatesufficedhim。Gilder，intruth，couldnottrusthimselfjustthentoanaudiblecommand。Hewasseriouslydisturbedbythegentlyspokentruthsthathadissuedfromthegirl\'slips。Hewasnotpreparedwithanyanswer，thoughhehotlyresentedeverywordofheraccusation。So，whenhecaughtthequestionintheglanceoftheofficer，hefeltaguiltysensationofreliefashesignifiedanaffirmativebyhisgesture。
Cassidyfacedabout，andinhismovementtherewasatugatthewristofthegirlthatsethermovingtowardthedoor。Herrealizationofwhatthismeantwasshowninherfinalspeech。
\"Oh，hecantakemenow，\"shesaid，bitterly。Thenhervoiceroseabovethemonotonethathadcontentedherhitherto。Intothemusicofhertonesbeatsomethingsinister，evillyvindictive，asshefacedaboutatthedoorwaytowhichCassidyhadledher。Herface，asshescrutinizedonceagainthemanatthedesk，wascoldlymalignant。
\"Threeyearsisn\'tforever，\"shesaid，inalevelvoice。\"WhenI
comeout，youaregoingtopayforeveryminuteofthem，Mr。
Gilder。Therewon\'tbeadayoranhourthatIwon\'trememberthatatthelastitwasyourwordsentmetoprison。Andyouaregoingtopaymeforthat。YouaregoingtopaymeforthefiveyearsIhavestarvedmakingmoneyforyou——that，too!YouaregoingtopaymeforallthethingsIamlosingtoday，and——\"
Thegirlthrustforthherlefthand，onthatsidewherestoodtheofficer。SovigorouswashermovementthatCassidy\'sclaspwasthrownoffthewrist。Butthebondbetweenthetwowasnotbroken，forfromwristtowristshowedtautthesteelchainofthemanacles。Thegirlshookthelinksofthehandcuffsinagesturestrongerthanwords。Inherfinalutterancetotheagitatedmanatthedesk，therewasacoldthreat，aprophecyofdisaster。Fromthesymbolofherdegradation，shelookedtothemanwhoseactionhadplaceditthere。Intheclashingoftheirglances，herswonthevictory，sothathiseyesfellbeforethemenaceinhers。
\"Youaregoingtopaymeforthis!\"shesaid。Hervoicewaslittlemorethanawhisper，butitwasloudinthelistener\'sheart。\"Yes，youaregoingtopay——forthis!\"
CHAPTERVI。INFERNO。
Theyweregrimyears，thosethreeduringwhichMaryTurnerservedhersentenceinBurnsing。Therewasnotimeoffforgoodbehavior。Thegirllearnedsoonthatthefavorofthosesetinauthorityoverhercouldonlybewonatacostagainstwhichhereverymaidenlyinstinctrevolted。So，shewentthroughtheinfernoofdaysandnightsinadrearinessofsufferingthatwasdeadly。Naturally，thelifetherewasaltogetheranevilthing。
Therewasthematerialilleverpresentintheroundofwearisomephysicaltoil，thecoarse，distastefulfood，thehard，narrowcouch，theconstant，gnawingirksomenessofimprisonment，awayfromlightandair，awayfromallthatmakeslifeworthwhile。
Yet，theseafflictionswerenottheworstinjuriestomarthegirlconvict\'slife。Thatwhichboreuponhermostweightilyandincessantlywasthedegradationofthisenvironmentfromwhichtherewasneveranyrespite，theviciousnessofthisspotwhereinshehadbeencastthroughnofaultofherown。Vilenesswaseverywhere，visiblyinthefacesofmany，anditwasbrimmingfromthesoulsofmore，subtlyhideous。Thegirlheldherselfrigidlyfromanypersonalintimacywithherfellows。Tosomeextent，atleast，shecouldseparateherselffromtheircorruptioninthematterofpersonalassociation。But，everpresent，therewasasecretenergyofvicethatcouldnotbeescapedsosimply——nor，indeed，byanydevice；thatbreathedinthespiritualatmosphereitselfoftheplace。Always，thismysterious，invisible，yethorriblypotent，powerofsinwaslikeamiasmathroughouttheprison。Always，itwasstrivingtoreachhersoul，tomakeherofitsown。Shefoughttheinsidious，fetidforceasbestshemight。Shewasnotevilbynature。Shehadbeenwellgroundedinprinciplesofrighteousness。
Nevertheless，thoughshemaintainedtheintegrityofhercharacter，thatcharactersufferedfromthetaint。Theredevelopedoverthegirl\'soriginalsensibilityashellofhardness，whichintimewouldsurelycometomakeherlessscrupulousinherreckoningofrightandwrong。
Yet，asarule，characterremainsthesamethroughoutlifeastoitsprimeessentials，and，inthiscase，MaryTurnerattheendofhertermwasvitallyalmostaswholesomeasonthedaywhenshebegantheservingofthesentence。Thechangewroughtinherwaschieflyofanexternalsort。Thekindlinessofherheartandherdesirefortheseemlyjoysoflifewereunweakened。Butoverthebetterqualitiesofhernaturewasnowspreadacrustofworldlyhardness，adenialofappealtohersensibilities。Itwasthisthatwouldeventuallybringherperilouslyclosetocontentedcompanioningwithcrime。
ThebestevidenceofthefactthatMaryTurner\'ssoulwasnotfatallysoiledmustbefoundinthefactthatstill，attheexpirationofhersentence，shewasfullyresolvedtolivestraight，asthesayingiswhichshehadquotedtoGilder。This，too，inthefaceofsureknowledgeastothedifficultiesthatwouldbesettheeffort，andinthefaceofthetemptationsofferedtofollowaneasierpath。
Therewas，forexample，AggieLynch，afellowconvict，withwhomshehadaslightdegreeofacquaintance，nothingmore。Thisyoungwoman，acriminalbytraining，offeredallurementsofillegitimateemploymentintheouterworldwhentheyshouldbefree。Maryenduredthecompanionshipwiththisprisonerbecauseasixthsenseproclaimedthefactthatherewasoneunmoral，ratherthanimmoral——andthedifferenceismighty。Forthatreason，AggieLynchwasnotactivelyoffensive，asweremostoftheothers。Shewasadaintylittleblonde，withababyface，inwhichweresettwolight-blueeyes，ofasorttowidenoftenindemurewonderovermostthingsinasurprisingandnaughtyworld。
Shehadbeenconvictedofblackmail，andshemadenopretenseevenofinnocence。Instead，shewasinclinedtoboastoverherabilitytobamboozlemenatherwill。Shewasanaturalactressoftheingenuerole，andinthatposeshecouldunfailinglybeguiletheheartofthewisestofworldlymen。
Perhaps，theverykeenstudentofphysiognomymighthavediscoveredgroundsforsuspectingherdemurenessbyreasonofthethick，levelbrowsthatcastashadowontheblandinnocenceofherface。Fortherest，shepossessedaknackofratherharmlessperversity，afairsmatteringofgrammarandspelling，andalivelysenseofhumorwithinherownlimitations，withaparticularlysmallintelligenceinotherdirections。Heroneartwashistrionicsofthekindthatmadeanindividualappeal。Insuch，shewasinimitable。Shehadbeenrearedinacriminalfamily，whichmustexcusemuch。Longago，shehadlosttrackofherfather；hermothershehadneverknown。Heronerelationwasabrotherofhighstandingasapickpocket。Oneprincipalreasonofhersuccessinleadingonmentomakefoolsofthemselvesoverher，totheireverlastingregretafterward，layinthefactthat，inspiteofallthegrossirregularitiesofherlife，sheremainedchaste。Shedeservednocreditforsuchrestraint，sinceitwasamatterpurelyoftemperament，notofresolve。
ThegirlsawinMaryTurnerthepossibilitiesofaladylikepersonalitythatmightmeanmuchfinancialprofitinthedeviouswaysofwhichshewasamistress。Withthefranknesscharacteristicofher，sheproceededtopaintglowingpicturesofafuturesharedtotheundoingofardentandfatuousswains。
MaryTurnerlistenedwithcuriosity，butshewasinnowisemovedtofollowsuchalife，eventhoughitdidnotnecessitateanythingworsethanafraudulentplayingatlove，withoutphysicaldegradation。So，shesteadfastlycontinuedherrefusals，tothegreatastonishmentofAggie，whoactuallycouldnotunderstandintheleast，evenwhileshebelievedtheother\'sdeclarationofinnocenceofthecrimeforwhichshewasservingasentence。But，forherownpart，suchinnocencehadnothingtodowiththematter。Where，indeed，couldbetheharminmakingsomeoldsinnerpayaroundpriceforhisfolly？Andalways，inresponsetoeveryargument，Maryshookherheadinnegation。Shewouldlivestraight。
Then，theheavybrowsofAggiewoulddrawdownalittle，andthebabyfacewouldharden。
\"Youwillfindthatyouareupagainstahellofafrost，\"shewoulddeclare，brutally。
Maryfoundtheprofaneprophecytrue。BackinNewYork，sheexperiencedapovertymoreravagingthananyshehadknowninthosefiveleanyearsofherworkinginthestore。Shehadbeenabsolutelypennilessfortwodays，andwithoutfoodthroughthegnawinghours，whensheatlastfoundemploymentofthehumblestinamilliner\'sshop。Followedablessedintervalinwhichsheworkedcontentedly，happyoverthemeagerstipend，sinceitservedtogivehershelterandfoodhonestlyearned。
Butthewaysofthepolicearenotalwaysthoseofordinarydecency。Induetime，anofficerinformedMary\'semployerconcerningthefactofherrecordasaconvict，andthereuponshewasatoncedischarged。Theunfortunatevictimofthelawcameperilouslyclosetodespairthen。Yet，herspirittriumphed，andagainsheperseveredinthatresolvetolivestraight。Finally，forthesecondtime，shesecuredacheappositioninacheapshop——onlytobeagainpersecutedbythepolice，sothatshespeedilylosttheplace。
Nevertheless，indomitableinherpurpose，shemaintainedthestruggle。Athirdtimesheobtainedwork，andthere，afteralittle，shetoldheremployer，acandymanufacturerinasmallway，thetruthastoherhavingbeeninprison。Themanhadakindlyheart，and，inaddition，heranlittleriskinthematter，soheallowedhertoremain。When，presently，thepolicecalledhisattentiontothegirl\'scriminalrecord，hepaidnoheedtotheiradviceagainstretainingherservices。Butsuchactiononhispartoffendedthegreatnessofthelaw\'sdignity。Thepolicebroughtpressuretobearontheman。TheyevencalledintheassistanceofEdwardGilderhimself，whoobliginglywroteaveryseverelettertothegirl\'semployer。Intheend，suchtacticsalarmedtheman。Forthesakeofhisowninterests，thoughunwillinglyenough，hedismissedMaryfromhisservice。
Itwasthenthatdespairdidcomeuponthegirl。Shehadtriedwithallthestrengthofhertolivestraight。Yet，despiteherinnocence，theworldwouldnotletherliveaccordingtoherownconscience。Itdemandedthatshebethecriminalithadbrandedher——ifsheweretoliveatall。So，itwasdespair!Forshewouldnotturntoevil，andwithoutsuchturningshecouldnotlive。Shestillwalkedthestreetsfalteringly，seekingsomeplace；butherheartwasgonefromthequest。Now，shewassunkeninanapathythatsavedherfromtheworstpangsofmisery。Shehadsufferedsomuch，sopoignantly，thatatlastheremotionshadgrownsluggish。Shedidnotmindmuchevenwhenhertinyhoardofmoneywasquitegone，andsheroamedthecity，starving……Cameanhourwhenshethoughtoftheriver，andwasglad!
Maryremembered，withawansmile，how，longago，shehadthoughtwithamazedhorrorofsuicide，unabletoimagineanytroublesufficienttodriveonetodeathastheonlyrelief。Now，however，thethingwassimpletoher。Sincetherewasnothingelse，shemustturntothat——todeath。Indeed，itwassoverysimple，sofinal，andsoeasy，aftertheagoniesshehadendured，thatshemarveledoverherownfollyinnothavingsoughtsuchescapebefore……Evenwiththefirstwildfancy，shehadunconsciouslybentherstepswestwardtowardtheNorthRiver。
Now，shequickenedherpace，anxiousfortheplungethatshouldsetthetermtosorrow。Inhernumbedbrainwasnoflickerofthoughtastowhatevermightcometoherafterward。Hersoleguidewasthatcompellingpassionofdesiretobedonewiththisunbearablepresent。Nothingelsemattered——notintheleast!
So，shecamethroughthelongstretchofill-lightedstreets，crossedsomerailroadtrackstoapier，overwhichshehurriedtothefarend，whereitprojectedouttothefiercercurrentsoftheHudson。There，withoutgivingherselfamoment\'spauseforreflectionorhesitation，sheleapedoutasfarasherstrengthpermittedintothecoilofwaters……But，inthatfinalsecond，naturalterrorinthefaceofdeathovercamethelethargyofdespair——ashriekburstfromherlips。
Butforthatscreamoffear，thestoryofMaryTurnerhadendedthereandthen。Onlyonepersonwasanywhereneartocatchthesound。Andthatsinglepersonheard。Onthesouthsideofthepieramanhadjusttiedupamotor-boat。Hestoodupinalarmatthecry，andwasjustintimetogainaglimpseofawhitefaceunderthedimmoonlightasitsweptdownwiththetide，tworodsbeyondhim。Ontheinstant，hethrewoffhiscoatandsprangfaroutafterthedriftingbody。Hecametoitinafewfuriousstrokes，caughtit。Thenbeganthesavagestruggletosaveherandhimself。Thecurrentstoreathimwrathfully，buthefoughtagainstthemwithallthefiercenessofhisnature。Hehadstrengtha-plenty，butitneededallofit，andmore，towinoutoftheriver\'shungryclutch。Whatsavedthetwoofthemwastheviolenttemperoftheman。Always，ithadbeenthedemontosethimaflame。To-night，thereinthefaintlight，withinthegripofthewaters，hewasmovedtoinsensatefuryagainsttheelementthatmenaced。Hisragemounted，andgavehimnewpowerinthebattle。Maniacalstrengthgrewoutofsupremewrath。
Undertheurgeofit，heconquered——atlastbroughthimselfandhischargetotheshore。
When，finally，therescuerwasabletodosomethingmorethangaspchokingly，hegaveanxiousattentiontothewomanwhomhehadbroughtoutfromtheriver。Yet，attheoutset，hecouldnotbesurethatshestilllived。Shehadshownnosignoflifeatanytimesincehehadfirstseizedher。Thatfacthadbeenofincalculableadvantagetohiminhiseffortstoreachtheshorewithher。Now，however，italarmedhimmightily，thoughithardlyseemedpossiblethatshecouldhavedrowned。Sofarashecoulddetermine，she:hadnotevensunkoncebeneaththesurface。
Nevertheless，shedisplayednoevidenceofvitality，thoughhechafedherhandsforalongtime。Theshoreherewasverylonely；itwouldtakeprecioustimetosummonaid。Itseemed，notwithstanding，thatthismustbetheonlycourse。Thenjustasthemanwasabouttoleaveher，thegirlsighed，veryfaintly，withaninfiniteweariness，andopenedhereyes。Themanechoedthesigh，buthiswasofjoy，sincenowheknewthathisstrifeinthegirl\'sbehalfhadnotbeeninvain。
Afterward，therescuerexperiencednogreatdifficultyincarryingouthisworktoasatisfactoryconclusion。Maryrevivedtoclearconsciousness，whichwasatfirstinclinedtowardhysteria，butthisphaseyieldedsoonunderthesympatheticministrationsoftheman。Hisratherlowvoicewassoothingtohertiredsoul，andhiswholeairwasatoncemasterfulandgentlytender。Moreover，therewasaninexpressiblebalmtoherspiritintheveryfactthatsomeonewasthusministeringtoher。Itwasthefirsttimeformanydreadfulyearsthatanyonehadtakenthoughtforherwelfare。Theeffectofitwaslikeadraughtofrarestwinetowarmherheart。So，sherestedobedientlyashebusiedhimselfwithhercompleterestoration，and，whenfinallyshewasabletostand，andtowalkwiththesupportofhisarm，shewentforwardslowlyathissidewithoutsomuchevenasaquestionofwhither。
And，curiously，themanhimselfsharedthegladnessthattouchedthemoodofthegirl，forheexperiencedasuddenprideinhisaccomplishmentofthenight，apridethatdelightedastarvedpartofhisnature。Somewhereinhimweretheseedsofself-sacrifice，theseedsofagenerousdevotiontoothers。Butthoseseedshadbeenleftundevelopedinalifethathadbeenlivedsinceearlyboyhoodoutsidethepaleofrespectability。
To-night，JoeGarsonhadperformed，perhaps，hisfirstactionwithnothoughtofselfatthebackofit。Hehadriskedhislifetosavethatofastranger。Thefactastonishedhim，whileitpleasedhimhugely。Thesensationwasatoncenovelandthrilling。Sinceitwassoagreeable，hemeanttoprolongtheglowofself-satisfactionbycontinuingtocareforthiswaifoftheriver。Hemustmakehisrescuecomplete。Itdidnotoccurtohimtoquestionhisfitnessforthework。Hisintrospectiondidnotreachtoapointofsuspectingthathe，anhabitualcriminal，wasnecessarilyofasorttobemostobjectionableastheprotectorofayounggirl。Indeed，hadanyonesuggestedthethoughttohim，hewouldhavemetitwithasneer，totheeffectthatawretchthustiredoflifecouldhardlyobjecttoanyonewhoconstitutedhimselfhersavior。
Inthismanner，JoeGarson，thenotoriousforger，ledthedrippinggirleastwardthroughthesqualidstreets，untilatlasttheycametoanadequatelylightedavenue，andthereataxicabwasfound。Itcarriedthemfarthernorth，andtotheeaststill，untilatlastitcametoahaltbeforeanapartmenthousethatwasratherimposing，setinastreetofhumblerdwellings。Here，Garsonpaidthefare，andthenhelpedthegirltoalight，andonintothehallway。Marywentwithhimquiteunafraid，thoughnowwithagrowingcuriosity。Strangeasitallwas，shefeltthatshecouldtrustthismanwhohadpluckedherfromdeath，whohadworkedoverherwithsomuchoftenderkindliness。So，shewaitedpatiently；only，watchedwithintentnessashepressedthebuttonofaflatnumber。Sheobservedwithinterestthethick，wavygrayofhishair，whichcontradictedpleasantlytheyouthfulnessofhisclean-shaven，resoluteface，andthespare，yetwell-muscledform。
Theclickingofthedoor-latchsoundedsoon，andthetwoentered，andwentslowlyupthreeflightsofstairs。Onthelandingbeyondthethirdflight，thedoorofarearflatstoodopen，andinthedoorwayappearedthefigureofawoman。
\"Well，Joe，who\'stheskirt？\"thispersondemanded，asthemanandhischargehaltedbeforeher。Then，abruptly，theround，baby-likefaceofthewomanpuckeredinamazement。Hervoiceroseshrill。\"MyGawd，ifitain\'tMaryTurner!\"
Atthat，thenewcomer\'seyesopenedswiftlytotheirwidest，andshestaredastoundedinherturn。
\"Aggie!\"shecried。
CHAPTERVII。WITHINTHELAW。
Inthetimethatfollowed，MarylivedintheflatwhichAggieLynchoccupiedalongwithherbrother，Jim，apickpocketmuchesteemedamonghisfellowcraftsmen。Theperiodwroughttransformationsofradicalandbewilderingsortinboththeappearanceandthecharacterofthegirl。JoeGarson，theforger，hadlongbeenacquaintedwithAggieandherbrother，thoughheconsideredthemfarbeneathhiminthesocialscale，sincetheircriminalworkwasnotofthathighkindonwhichhepridedhimself。But，ashecastaboutforsomewomantowhomhemighttakethehaplessgirlhehadrescued，histhoughtsfellonAggie，andforthwithhisdeterminationwasmade，sinceheknewthatshewasrespectable，viewedaccordingtohisownpeculiarlights。Hewasrelievedratherthanotherwisetolearnthattherewasalreadyanacquaintancebetweenthetwowomen，andthefactthathischargehadservedtimeinprisondidnotinfluencehimonejotagainsther。
Onthecontrary，itincreasedinsomemeasurehisrespectforherasoneofhisownkind。Bythetimehehadlearnedaswellofherinnocence，hehadgrownsointerestedthatevenherfolly，ashewasinclinedtodeemit，didnotcauseanywaveringinhisregard。
Now，atlast，MaryTurnerletherselfdrift。Itseemedtoherthatshehadabandonedherselftofateinthathourwhenshethrewherselfintotheriver。Afterward，withoutanyvolitiononherpart，shehadbeenrestoredtolife，andsetwithinanenvironmentnewandstrangetoher，inwhichsoon，tohersurprise，shediscoveredavividpleasure。So，shefoughtnomore，butleftdestinytoworkitswillunhamperedbyherfutilestrivings。Forthefirsttimeinherlife，thankstothehospitalityofAggieLynch，secretlyreinforcedfromthefundsofJoeGarson，Maryfoundherselflivinginluxuriousidleness，whilehereverywishcouldbegratifiedbythemerestmentionofit。Shewasfedonthedaintiestoffare，forAggiewasasybariteinallsensuouspleasuresthatwereapartfromsex。Shewasclothedwiththemostdelicaterichnessforthefirsttimeastothosemoremysteriousgarmentswhichwomenlove，andshesoonhadavarietyoffrocksascharmingashergracefulformdemanded。Inaddition，therewereasmanyofbooksandmagazinesasshecouldwish。Hermind，longstarvedlikeherbody，seizedavidlyonthenourishmentthusafforded。Inthisinterest，Aggiehadnoshare——wasperhapsalittleenviousoverMary\'sabsorptioninprintedpages。Butforherconsolationwerethemattersoffoodanddress，andofcountlessjunketings。Insuchdirections，Aggiewastheleader，aneager，joyousonealways。Shetookavastprideinherguest，withtheunmistakableairofelegance，andshedaredtodreamofgreattriumphstocome，thoughasyetshecarefullyavoidedanysuggestiontoMaryofwrong-doing。
Intheend，thesuggestioncamefromMaryTurnerherself，tothegreatsurpriseofAggie，and，truthtotell，ofherself。
Thereweretwofactorsthatchieflyinfluencedherdecision。Thefirstwasduetothefeelingthat，sincetheworldhadrejectedher，sheneednolongerconcernherselfwiththeworld\'sopinion，orretainanyscruplesoverit。Backofthislayherbittersentimenttowardthemanwhohadbeenthedirectcauseofherimprisonment，EdwardGilder。Itseemedtoherthatthegeneralwarfareagainsttheworldmightwellbemadeaninitialstepinthewarfareshemeanttowage，somehow，sometime，againstthatmanpersonally，inaccordancewiththehystericalthreatshehadutteredtohisface。
Thefactorthatwastheimmediatecauseofherdecisiononanirregularmodeoflifewasaneditorialinoneofthedailynewspapers。Thiswasascathingarraignmentofamasterinhighfinance。Thepointofthewriter\'sattackwasthegrimsarcasmforsuchmethodsofthieveryasarekeptwithinthelaw。Thatphraseheldthegirl\'sfancy，andshereadthearticleagainwithaquickenedinterest。Then，shebegantomeditate。Sheherselfwasinacurious，indeterminateattitudeasfarasconcernedthelaw。Itwasthelawthathadworkedtheruinofherlife，whichshehadstriventomakewholesome。Inconsequence，shefeltforthelawnogenuinerespect，onlydetestationasfortheepitomeofinjustice。Yet，shegaveitasuperficialrespect，bornofthosethreeyearsofsufferingwhichhadbeentheresultofthepenaltyinflictedonher。Itwasasaneffectofthislatterfeelingthatshewasdeterminedononethingofvitalimportance:
thatneverwouldshebeguiltyofanythingtopitheragainstthelaw\'sdecrees。Shehadknowntoomanyhoursofanguishinthedoomsetonherlifebecauseshehadbeendeemedaviolatorofthelaw。No，neverwouldsheletherselftakeanypositioninwhichthelawcouldaccuseher……Butthereremainedthefactthattheactualcauseofherlongmiserywasthissamelaw，manipulatedbythemanshehated。Ithadpunishedher，thoughshehadbeenwithoutfault。Forthatreason，shemustalwaysregarditasherenemy，must，indeed，hateitwithanintensitybeyondwords——withanintensityequaltothatsheboretheman，Gilder。Now，intheparagraphshehadjustreadshefoundacluetosuggestivethought，ahintastoameansbywhichshemightsatisfyherrancoragainstthelawthathadoutragedher——andthisinsafetysinceshewouldattemptnoughtsavethatwithinthelaw。
Mary\'sheartleapedatthepossibilitybackofthosethreewords，\"withinthelaw。\"Shemightdoanything，seekanyrevenge，workanyevil，enjoyanymastery，aslongassheshouldkeepwithinthelaw。Therecouldbenopunishmentthen。Thatwasthelessontaughtbythecaptaininhighfinance。Hewasatpainsalwaysinhisstupendousrobberiestokeepwithinthelaw。Tothatend，heemployedlawyersofmightycunningandlearningtoguidehisstepsarightinsuchtortuouspaths。
There，then，wasthesecret。Whyshouldshenotusethelikemeans？Why，indeed？Shehadbrainsenoughtodevise，surely。
Beyondthat，sheneededonlytokeephercoursemostcarefullywithinthoselimitsofwrong-doingpermittedbythestatutes。
Forthat，thesolerequirementwouldbealawyerequallyunscrupulousandastute。Atonce，Mary\'smindwasmadeup。
Afterall，thethingwasabsurdlysimple。Itwasmerelyamatterforingenuityandforprudenceinalliance……Moreover，therewouldcomeeventuallysomeadequatedeviceagainstherarch-enemy，EdwardGilder。
Marymeditatedontheideaformanydays，andeveritseemedincreasinglygoodtoher。Finally，itdevelopedtoapointwhereshebelieveditaltogetherfeasible，andthenshetookJoeGarsonintoherconfidence。Hewasvastlyastonishedattheoutsetandnotquitepleased。Tohisview，thisplanofferedmerelyafashionofsettingdifficultiesinthewayofachievement。
Presently，however，thesincerityandpersistenceofthegirlwonhimover。Thetaskofconvincinghimwouldhavebeeneasierhadhehimselfeverknownthetormentofservingaterminprison。