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。