Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1901 — THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY [ARTICLE]

THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY

BY RODRIGUES OTTOLENGUI,

Author of “An Artist In Crime,” “A Conflict of Evidence,” “A Modern Wizard,” “Final Proof,” Etc. OopyrioM, J 896, by G. P. Pvtnam'a Sona. AB rights reserved.

CHAPTER XVII. aftek many days. \ Leaving Mrs. Cooper’s, Mr. Mitchel hurried back to the rooms of the Metropolitan Foundling society and was glad to learn that Colouel Payton had not gone. He seut in his card, and within a few minutes the two meu were alone lu the colonel’s private office. “Well, Mr. Mitchel,” began the Colonel, ‘'back again so soon? Changed your mind about that girl up stairs?” “In what way should I have changed my mind?” asked Mr. Mitchel. “Oh, well, you were rather impulsive this morning and espoused her case pretty warmly, I thought. You said you would take the responsibility of keeping the matter from the knowledge of the authorities, and that’s a serious business. I did not know but that after maturer consideration you had altered your views—come to your senses, I should call it.” ".You mean that. In your opinion, It would be the proper course to give this girt Into custody, to abandon her to her fate?” “There you go again with your stupid sentimentality. Abandon her to her fate, Indeed! And why not, pray? What fate awaits her but what she richly deserves?” "Colonel, your society is in existence for the protection of children. Would It not be cruel to have this young girl arrested?” “That Is not our affair. Women cease to be children when they become mothers. In this case It Is the cruelty to the Infant that we must consider.”

"Ah! The abandonment of the baby is the paramount thought in your mind?” “It is, most decidedly. We are the .guardians of those who arc defenseless because of their immature years.” "Then you believe that a person who abandons a baby should be punished?” “I do. It is the law, and I am a stickler for the letter of the law. Without laws and their strict enforcement society must suffer. Therefore the guilty must be punished.” “Regardless of sex?” “Assuredly. Men and women must fare alike. In the eyes of justice the evildoer is sexless." “I have heard that justice Is blind, but I have never been told before that she Is also heartless. I think, too, that you are wrong, for justice Is typified by a female figure. Assuredly, then, even In the name of justice, I may plead for one of her sisters.” “Look here, MltcheL I hope you have not come here to repeat all that rubbish which you talked this morning. I thought that perhaps you had been making further Investigations.” "You are right That is what I have done.”

“Then what have you discovered? Nothing to the girl’s credit, I’ll wager.” “Nothing to her discredit, I assure you. But, colonel, before I tell you the story which I have heard I would like to ask you why you seem to be so particularly bitter against this girl.” “I am not. I treat her just as I would any other delinquent What an extraordinary question for you to ask! You practically charge me with showing prejudice against a woman who is entirely unknown to me. You use odd language, Mr. Mitchel. What do you mean?” “Pardon me, colonel. I meant no offense. But you tell me that the girl is a stranger to you. Somehow I had entertained the idea that perhaps you had seen her before.” “Never, sir; never! That is another preposterous suggestion on your part. I would have you remember that I do not select my associates from that class.” “Well, then, perhaps the girl’s face seemed familiar to you; perhaps she reminded you of some one?” At these words the colonel started and then grew quite angry. Rising from bls chair, he towered over Mr. Mitchel, who remained seated and looked up at him calmly. “What do you mean, sir,” cried the colonel, “by your insinuations? How dare you come to my own office and presume to catechise me in this way? If you hope to help your pretty little friend by your impertinence, you calculate wrongly, sir. lam not the man who puts up with that sort of thing. I have half a mind to kick you out, sir.” “I am glad you have only half a mind, for that makes It possible for the other half of your mind to dissuade you from such a foolish project It would be very unwise for you to dismiss me unheard.” “Unheard, sir? Then why the devil don’t you speak? Why are you beating arouud the bush In this way? Come to the point sir; come to the point!” “I will do so,” snld Mr. Mltcbel, rising and facing his companion. “It will, after all. be the best way perhaps. Well, then, colonel, to make It short I will ask you to recall the day when I first came here and saw the infant” “I do, quite distinctly.” “Two things I will mention. You tnay rcmemlier that we had a little discussion regarding the proper treatment of those who abandon their children

I ad vocal ted the plan of compelling the parents to care for their offspring.” “And I told you you were a fool. I have not changed my mind.” “I afterward told you that I would prove the feasibility of my theories by discovering the father of this infant and compelling him to support his child.” ' “Yes; v®u did talk some such nonsense. Well, what of it?” “I have partly kept my word. I know who the father is.” “Yes; I heard her tell you his name. That in itself proved to me that the girl is thoroughly bad. Why, even the worst woman will keep the name of her lover a secret.” “I discovered more than that, colonel. I know’ who the grandfather is.” “Why, naturally. The father being known to you, you easily go back another generation.” “I am not speaking of the man's father, but of the girl's.” “Oh, hers! But I thought you said she was a foundling?” “Exactly. Her own father abandoned her, and I have learned Ids name.” “Well, who is he? Why make a mystery about it?” (To M CONTINUED.]