第3章

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。