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。