Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

ll - ' The Strange Case of MARY PAGE ft ' • ' " 1 The Great McChire Mystery Story. Written fey » REDER1CK LEWIS In CoOaboiation With JOHN f. MTNTYRE. Author of the Ashton Kirk Detective Stories. 'Read the Story and See the Erjjonay M&oind Rioture* CopTtifht. ms. to SYNOPSIt. V*rj rag*, artreas, la arruaad of tha murder of Jaries Pollock and la defended by bar lover. I'hlllp Uangdon Pollock waa Intoxicated. At Mary's trial she ad- “IMd you and Mia* Page secure po*l Oona la that nets cofnpany?" Yes. The minute tire manager spot- of a grouch, and when Mary offered him g ring ttiafTiad been her mother's, as a pledge for our board, be kind of Pollock leading j teat I flea that M ary threatened with It previously, and Mary's man Implicate* Langdon appeared from the scene of the crime Is a mystery. liraidon tells of a strange hand print b# saw on Mary s shoulder. Kurther evidence shows that horror of drink pro duces temporary insanity In M.fry. The defense Is ''repreased psychosis.” Wit nesses described Mary s flight from her In toxicated father and her father's suicide. Nurse Wslton describes the kidnaping of Mary by Pollock, and Amy Barton tells ef Mary's struggles to become an actress and of Pollock s pursuit of her. ted Mary, he picked her for the lead S u ^’ ed ou<1 handed over the key to our because she was the proper ‘type’, and I ro ^ m " Ithout a word. Mary, the darling, said she couldn't [ ' on 8a - v » our room '- That l I went alonir too. i Why. of course,” she said In obvious mlu She had the revolver. Her maid take ^ Job unles ; , w too j that you remained with Miss Page? d Prill/V-k e, . - . . . 1 **W'Uwf ^v# ♦* -I t.S a_ . t _» So he handed me nn ingenue role with How Mary diik i al> oot ten aides and twenty five beans ! sur Priae. You don't suppose I'd go N ATLTlB bad intended Amy liar- ton to be a great actress. Emo tional roles of any sort would have sat absurdly upon her •lender shoulders, but In the part of the Insouciant Ingenue she never failed to score. 8he was the (plaint blending which modern Ufe baa evolved, of* an o¥> fashioned amall town upbringing, veneered with a bright crust of brava do born of battling for her living In a city brimming with temptations, bat •be bad never lost her gay defiance nor bad abe loat the cornerstone of her simple creed. "Be decent, loyal to your friends and don't go around with • grouch.” Her gaiety waa Infectious, and as she tripped up the two steps to the wit nee* chair she nodded a familiar greeting te the Judge end smiled at the Jury. “Mias Barton,” said Larigdou, “you have told us of the experience with Mr. Tollock that led to your sudden restg nation from The Blue Feather* com pany. Did you see him at any time after their* "See Mm again !** she retorted. "Why. that man was a regular epidemicr* A delighted giggle greeted the words, emanating from the Jury-box Itself. ‘‘We bumped Into him the day we landed our first real Job for the road. , “We were on our way to the Prentiss Agency. We’d !>een there before and they'd handed us the 'call again' sign, •o we were playing a return date though we hadn't much hopes. Old Alisa Prentiss Is such a sour old maid •bad never band anybody a Job If she could get her commissions any other way, but she has the Inside with some of the good managers and you can't overlook any bets in the show bus! nesa. So we went back, and while we Were going down the hall MarjrJo<.<k.ed ao bine that I had to play Tittle Kuu- ablne with much business of Tve-a hunch-that-we*U-land today*—to try and make her smile and look pretty for any posalble manager. That's why we didn't see James Pollock till we fairly bumped into him, and he made a grab for Mary's hand. ‘Then he began to spill out an apology. lie said he’d been search ing every* theatrical agency And ev ery theatre In town looking for Mary. ‘I’ve been wretched, Mary,’ he sald.^T^ think I must have been crazy that night at the “Blue Feather." 1 was Jeal ous and angry and hurt besides, and I loat my head. Won’t yy.u forgive me? I'm -not going to bother you any More, as salary. Mary’s was to be featured in the play which' had the giddy monl her of ‘A Woman's Pledge.’ ” “May it please the court,” broke In the prosecutor, getting lazily to bis feet, “all this Is no doubt very Interesting- delightful. In fact, and might prove of great help to us If we had stage aspl ratons. But,’’ (with a sudden change of tone) "we arc here to decide the guilt or Innocence of Mary Page, whom the State declares to have murdered James Pollock. I fail to see. your Hon or, where the somewhat rambling fable In slang which the witness la telling has any hearing upon this ense.” ‘Tour Honor, and gentlemen of the Jury," Langdon's voice rose t»efore the words of the prosecutor had died away, “the story which the witness Is telling has everything to do with the nuestlon of the murder of James Pollock. It will show how again and again he forced his attentions upon Mis* Page, and of the horror In which she held back on Mary, do you? We went up stairs and had a little cry." she said whimsically, a furtive dimple show ing as she spoke. 'Then, having pow- dered our noses and cheered up, 1 left Mary resting while I went to the head of the stairs to see what was do ing In the office, and what bad bap^ pened to the rest of the bunch." "Could you see those In the office from the stairway?” • “Plainly, by going down to the first landing and looking through the ban Isters.” - “Was the rest of 'the company still there?" "Yes.” “Was Mr. Pollock with them?” “Y’es; he was playing a leading role and making a speech.” “Could you hear what ho said?" "Sure! Of course I missed the first part of It. but when I got to the land Ing he was saying. 'I have always tak en a groat Interest In the theatre, and him; and of the almost Inevitable men. ^can thoroughly sympalhize with your tal collapse that followed his bmtat ef ' predlonim-nt.' Then be pulled a time forts to make her marry him. If I have j table out of Ms pocket ami tapped It, allowed the witness to tell the story In.; saying. ‘The New Y'ork train goes through In six her own way. It Is simply that I wish to bring before you the picture of these two young girl*, so brave and hopeful, and bard working, whose position* and good character were attacked by James Pollock." — For a moment (he. Judge hesitated, and the court held Its breath-aggre* alve. even antagonistic at the mere thought of losipg the gay little witness who was looking from the Judge to I-angdon with such childishly startled •yes. Then bis Honor said slowly; “I cun not suaialn your objection to the testimony as Irrelevant, sir. I con sider all i lint has a hearing npon the curious relations existing betweeli Mt. Pollock and Miss Page as of [israiiiount Importance. At the same time,’’ he added, turning to l^ngdon, “I would suggest that you Instruct your witness to confine her testimony to mere state menu of fact.” The entire courtroom, not excepting Uio Jury, heaved a sigh of relief, and Lanfcdon's face showed a flush of Hi umph as he asked. “How long did your engagement In *A Woman’s Pledge' last, Mias Bar ton r "Six weeks, but we only got salary for four." “Where did the tour end?” “It didn't end. It blew up In a one- tank rube town railed Prlndlevllle. It was one of thane towuj that have the railroad station on one side of Main Street, the hotel and 'Opry' house at the other and file rest of the buildings scattered about whertVer they happen ed to drop.” Again a gust of laughter lilted through the dingy room, but Lang- dou frowned and shook his bead at Amy. * * "Never mind descriptions," he said more sharply than he had spoken so far. Amy. far from being awed by his sternness, pouted at him with a gay little moue and went on with her story In her own fashion. “We were all feeling pretty grouchy when we hit Prlndlevllle, because the ghost hadn’t walked for a mouth, and nobody knew whether we’d ever get back to^New York or not." “Did you give the performance^that night?” broke In Langdon >Impa tiently. “Well, we atarted to, but it never got beyond the ticket-taking stage v for the sheriff blew in vvith/rf badge as big as a saucer and said that he'd been or dered to hold all our trunks and props for unpaid bdrtrd bills In the last four towns, npd that meant that we were Btrandpd with Broadway doing' the Sheridan act many miles, away. We >M*^t back to the hotel and said what we thought of the producer and tried i to borrow carfare from the hotel pro prietor. That was when we saw James Pollock again, lie arrived In town by the last train, and walked Into the lob by while we were there. He came oyer and said he was going through the town on a business trip, and see ing Mary's name on an eight shcet- you know- big posicr-ho-haii Jumped off on Impulse. lie said be was awful ly sorry_ that the tour hud ended so unfortunately, and begged her to let him arrange for our return to New York.’’ ‘‘Did Allas Page accept?” “No. She refused absolutely, gbe- she looked as If she would scream If he touched hen She held onto my arm so. tight It maw a hlack-and-.blue start, and you. coula see the pulse In* her throat Jumping the way It does be imw fgumamrotsolves Into minutes. It can be flagged to take you aboard and I'll pay your fare* to New York and settle the claims of the sheriff—for no reason ex cept that I don't want to sec yon stranded.' At that the company set np sings out. Torre In.' And r.t,tltat James 1‘UUx:. •; • i ■’ ~*toiiir"t “What did M Pag« d T "She screamed- and t uni Ing. hid h<-r face against my shoulSer for a m<>. ment. Then she stood up and fa< «-d him. ’How dare you corr.e here?" she asked, and he had the decency to look: pretty foolish. ‘I dare be-aune I am worried tbogt yon.’ he said. ‘I can't go and leave you stranded here; you've got to let me help you.’ ‘A shall never accept your help!' cried Mary, and I could tell by her, voice tbpt she was pretty r £lo*e to tears, so I stepped for ward and said. 'Look here. James Pol lock, it'a a pretty mean trick for any man to persocufe^a girl the way you’re persecuting Mary. Haven’t you a shred of decency in your poor little soul? If yon have you'll beat it—while the go ing a good.’ ’’ “Did he answer you?” “Yes. For a minute I thought he was going to hit me. Then he said. ‘Mias Page Is thoroughly capable of an- swering me herself. Miss Barton, and 1 must nsk yon not to, interfere in what does not concern you.’ 'Anything that concerns Mary concerns meA I retort ed, hut Mary put her hand on my arm. 'Mr. Pollock.’ she said, and there was a queer note In her voice, ’I thoroughly agree with what Amy has said—you are persecuting me; you are torturing me—and I cannot liear any more. For God's sake go away and leave us in peace.’ At that Mr. Pollock flung out his hands and said hoarsely, ‘Mary— Mary—you can't mean that. Aren'J you tired of this poverty and misery? Haven't yon had enough of this life? One would think to hear you that I waa sonie brute pursuing yon, when all I ask Is to hcmorably marry you and protect you from hardships.’ 'Honora ble." cried Mary. 'Do you call It honor able to assist tbe others because yop knew It wootij leave us stranded and helpless? Is It honorable to force your self upon us in this fashion? Is it hon orable to |>ersecute me. when I've told you over apd over that I’ll drudge all my-life and wear my fingers* to the bone with work before I will marry 1 you?’ Then she bur-d Into tears, and I | Ordered Mr. Pollock out of the room. I tm on:;) iii 1 i.U £c nn-p of our bad char- , :ki li : tty dining ter, > hen?#*} "I en o.T-.; <•'di 1 '' cut, ran pa-'t us . '.he (•"airs. The landlady called; but e i : ever-even looked around. > I started after;J.er., J.iist us I did so rehejp. flas'jv guy who was a regular loar.l^r came out of the dining-room, ooking sheep: h and with one cheek right red and tin- other very pale. I've seen a.goo I smack make that kind of a 'stm; lesion before* so I kind of waited around to f ee what he would do." "Did he leave the hotel?" "No.’ He walked out Into the.office and across to where James Pollock was sitting and flung himself Into’ a chair aoul at heart, drove us all out, saying that Marv-need/l restr^-—— 1 “Their—their freghnesa.” beside him. He ripped out a good round oath or two; then he said, ‘Say, look here, from w bat you told me, that Alary Page is no better than she should be. but crickey, she svung’a right onto my jaw that jarred my brains in there. Just because I tried to give ber a little kiss—and offered to take her to the movies.’ ” “Did Mr. Pollock reply?" “No. Firs; he Rooked as if he was saying that he'd gotten bU answer and - £olnii_j9_h;iUil tUft-t-kump one kauaalf. HETTnffm-i-rtrrii'ffr “Did be Icvive?" — : “No—but It didn't matter, because Just then tbe door oi>ehcd and tbe good old gink that ran the place came j in. He sal t he'd heard enough of what was said to realize that we girls need- ed some help and advice, and HUggesb ed that since Mr. Pollock seemed de | termlned to stay there, that we might go down to hi* office. He handed us I ea< h a Job as biscuit slingera In the j dining-room. Mary was to administer the table d'hote to the regular and I then Le Uughod us If he was satlsfle-l seftlrfotnrttrtiig. anil f fun up stall s to rtui'u* aBOtlt like Mary Hie was crying, and |>acking ber grip. She said that for the la-t two or three da^a she had iHUH-ed a decided difference in the attitude of the men towards her. and that at noon one of them had Insulted her and she had slapped hi* face. The worst of It was. she said, the man said that be bad been told that she wasn't so particular with others, and was notorious where she came from When we went dow tisialrs with our siilts-ases In our hands tbe proprietor's wife was giving him an time?" W . . ' • ; • Yes. He was at the parlor door, but when'we came out he kind of edgpd gway and stood scowling at us. Then I told Mr. Langdon that I believed he* bad been spreading slander against Mary all through the town and had i driven her half Insane so that she had attempted to end It all by flinging her- self in front of the train. Air. Langdon atarted to tell me something then, but before he could get a word out, the landlady came to the parlor door and •aid Alary wanted me. Air. Lajfgdon went in ♦dtb me. When Mary i saw him, she just gave one cry. and came running to him, like a kid that's been, scared In the dark and sees it s mother coming with a lamp.' But when she saw Mr. Pollock pushing his way in with some of the others, she turned kind of white again, and Mr. Langdon,? turning to see what had startled her. gti a glimpse of him. At that he sud denly pulled a bunch of papers out of his pocket, and marching up to Air. Pollock said, loud enough for all of us to hear: 'Through certain investiga tions which 1 made in New* Y'ork, Janies Pollock, I have discovered _that yon are the biggest scoundrel unhung! I have actual* proof that you backed “A Woman’s Pledge" Company, and allow ed it to Strand In order to leave Alary Page |>eiiniless am) alone in a strange town; and what L* more, curse you. I believe you yourself spread the lies that have been told about ber!’ ” , "Did Mr. Pollock deny tliese accusa tions?" * "He started to. but apparently chang ed his mind and didn't say a word. But the good old Hube proprietor did. He Jumi>ed up and shook his fist under Mr. Pollock's nose and shouted. 'Y'ou scoundrel! I've had my doubts altout c you for some time. Now I tnow—ani?^ you get out of my hotel—and ge^ quick! ThU town Is no place for I hounds that j>erseoute women ami slander ’em. and if you don't want some rough handling you'd better get gcta > 'around.' At that Mr Pollock dog »t aid Rube with a fatherly eye •oft heart that wore tha maka-up l “She looked if she would ecroam if ho touchod her.” a cheer and beat it like crazy people for their suit-cases, and Air. Pollock pulled out a great wad of bills and be gan peeling them off for everybody, In eluding the sheriff himself.’’ “What did you do then?” . . “I ran back and told Mary, but'we could see through his game. It was a case of either accept his help or be stranded and walk the ties.” “What did Miss Pagp say?" “She said, ‘You go, Amy, because you want to get back, but I’ll walk every step of the way and earn my food by scrubbing before I'll accept a penny of Jam6s PpHpck's money or give him a chum e to speak to me again.’ ” “pld you agree to go?" “No. I said that burrs weren’t In It with me when It came to sfickin’, and If there was going to be any walking or scrubbing I would be on the Job to do my share. That Alary and I were pals—and we’d take what was coming together. Well, anybody ■uould have stuck by Mary. She—she's tbe best ever.” “Did Mr. Pollock leave with the com pany?" asked Langdon, a warning note in bis voice, and with a little start she turned back to him. “No. We thought ho had gone, but after the train.had pulled out I looked out of the window and saw him com ing back to the hotel—grinding.- - “Did you tell Miss Page?" “No. I thought It was better for her to think he was gone, so that she would get a good night's sleep - . Aft erward 1 wished I had told her.” “JVhy ?” ‘‘Because It was such nn awful shock to her when he came to our door In the morning." “Will you tell us the circumstances of that meeting, please?” “Well. Alary and I were both dressed and ready for? breakfast, and v e were talking over the chance* of getting somo sort of work to do in the town till we could get word home to mother to tend us carfare. It costa quite a lot from Prljidleville to the big town, and we knew It might be days before the old lady could raise tt, and we had to eat in the meantime While we hewed a knock at the door, and thinking It waa tbe chamber maid or maybe the paoprietor. Mary and Mr. Pollock was sitting After* tak Ing It all in, hut pietcmixig t« read was to Iw on tbe Job with the tran ■tents—and SO AIM transients they were, earful of what she had heard about u*. too! Of course Alary made a hit right i of bow laid we were and all the rest, off. "It's ■ good thing, your Honor, that — ... .... they don't leave any cold poison lying I He Jumped up when we.' ime In sight around In rube hotels, because the first however, and starti-4 to speak, lull we customer I got waa James Pollock! 1 | did stick my finger In the oatmeal I was taking him and way. ‘I hope you choke' throe times, but It didn't work." Again her bubbling laugh rippled out. followed by a guffaw of delight from I tbe listeners, but ns if It were a signal, j the prosecutor h-aped to his feet "Your Honor,” ho stormed. “I object to the testimony of this witness being admitted as evidence! Is this a court room or a burlesque show? And is my learned opponent revealing to us tbe gay life of Miss Burton or evidence dealing with the murder of James Pol lock ?" "Alay it please the court," retorted lAiiigdon. “the events which took place in Prlndlevllle had a very detiulte ef fect upon the relations between James Pollock and the defendant. I crave the I l ofl< n<-e of y«.ur Honor and the gentle men of the Jury with tbe w itness—who Is-—er—not exactly conversant with the legal brevity dcipuuded by Itfw.” pushed by him nud I walked right up to the proprietor m.d . a d. 'laiok here —(you've Ns« pretty w hite to us. hut somelsNiy. Is Mpreudimt s'l"t of lies around here, ami we'rv g-»u« to qolt P. D. (J.. and we'd like whatever <*f the long green Is coming to us after our room rent Is paid.' The old guy. seeing Air. Pollock was listening, said we'd Irtrtter all go Into the dining room to settle It; hut Mr. Pollock followed us Id. and said that as he was a friend of ours, that he had heard that there were a good many rumors about Alary's past, and that of course no actress could expect to have any repu tation. as every body knew what road companies were. Then he grabbed Mary’s hands, saying, ‘I at least care nothing about gossip. Knowing Miss Page, I have repeatedly offered to mar ry her an<l now—now I ask again, Mary, you can kill this slander In a minute by marrying met That wised me to his game all right, but before I *1 think.” said his Honor, the ghost I could tell her, she had dragged her of a smile still twitching at his lips, "that the w itness may go on with bet story. But,” he added, loaning forward with an admonishing gesture towards Amy. “you most remember, Miss Bar ton. that you are here not to amuse us. but to answer us briefly as possible the questions put to you by counsel for the deN nee." ' “How long did you remain at the ho tel In ITindlevllle as a waitress?" “About three weeks." “Did Mr. Pollock remain there during that time?” * “Yes." "Did he speak to you at any time?” “Well, he had to speak to me, but he limited It to, Two boiled eggs and dry toast' or 'Gimme roast chicken and mashed potatoes,’ but with Mary It was different He didn’t speak to her. but be never let her get out of his sight if he could avoid it. He used to alt In the hall where lie could watch, her In the dining-room, and if she went out for a breath of uir. he always followed her. It got on her nerves so she used to cry half the night, and say she would go crazy If he didn't go away.” “Miss Barton, you say that you re mained at the hptel about three weeks. Why did you leave at the end of that time?" “Because of the behavior of some of the men who came to the place.” “What do you mean by their behnv lor?" ‘Their—their—freshness." she said, flushing a III Me. /'Y’ou see, when we flrqt went to.work, they were all very decent, especially to Alary, and every tiling was line. Then they—they seem ed to (hinge even to• me. Flnallj something the landlady said put me wise to-the fact that our characters weren't worth a two-ceut stamp In Prindlerille. 1 didn’t want Mary 1$ came fdt lunch got fresh and tried to kin ber Th« landlady bad Just told «w that tor Tegular gtrla’ war* objecting to hands sway from him with a scream and backed against the wall, staring at us as if—as If—she was—crazy. I call ed out 'Mary! Alaryf but she didn't seem to hear me. She Just kept star ing at Air. Pollock.” “Was he much excited?" snapped Langdon. “Yes, but he was half drunk, too. He'd been drinking a lot all day, and It showed plainly on him. It was that, I guess, that made him act like a fool and try to catch her in his arms, cry ing that there was nothing ahead of her but disgrace and disaster unless she married hjm.” /* “Did she reply?”/ “No—she didn't Answer. She struck at him—twice—ttyn she screamed and ran out—and rtbross the street to the railroad. We—we followed as quickly as we could, 1 and then—” she choked, and her hand went waveringly to her throat, as If the words would not come —“and then—we saw the man waving his flag and knew the—the train from New Y’ork was coming In. I—think I went crazy myself -for a minute. I screamed and screamed and I hoard Pollock screaming too' anfl we ran like mad—but we couldn’t etitch her—only —thank God—the man with the danger flag saw her and-stopped her just In time!” "Did she fight Against capture?” “No. She just fainted dead off In his arms, and when we got to her, he had carried her over and laid tyr on tb<! platform. It* was therrtinrt 1 saw Mr. Langdon. He bad Just gutten off the train, and when be saw the crowd and Mary lying there, he turned white ax a iheet and came' running over. But*! told him that sue Had only fainted and he’d totter carry her over to the hotel.” "Was AHra Page conscious when you reactod the fertrtf" — “Vrt Hut mf*mm -h. k.* the sofa to tbe parlor and tbe land lady bad bathed her forehead ■ while •to opened her eyes and smiled at ns •nd the old wooun, who was • good a Uog that's had a licking and slunk out and Mr. Langdon laughed and said. There's a train home In twenty niliuites, and we're going to catch It.”' That Is all. Alls* Burton." said Langdon. but his tone was thoughtful, and when tbe prosecutor waived cross •lamination, and the judge adjourned court, he showed obvious relle'f. He followed Amy Into tbe witness room, drew ber aside and asked: “Amy. hav« you seen anything of Daniels lately?" “Why. sure." she answered. T saw him yesterday, and/ say. he looks •bout the sickest thing I ever saw In th« show business Honest. I felt sor ry for him." , "Well, you may feel eren more sorry for him. In-fore long." muttered Lang- don. and hurrying out through the now gloomy corridors he'passcd through the clanging door and down Into the cells. At a word to the turnkey he was ad tnltted to the narrow room where Mary lay flung across the narrow bed. Stooping over her he whispered softly “Mary—say dear—" “Oh. Philip." she soblied. turning and clinging to him. "It—It's like living all the horrors over again to go through this day by day. Is It worth while? Will It help any?" "Help? Why. dear. I’m more-to»pe- fnl tonight than I've been since the beginning.” he cried cheerily. "And what's more. I tolleve I’ve got a lino on a new rlne—that will work np well.” “Oh, what?" she cried. Hitting up and smiling at him ralnlow wise throng!* Must brave a little trust me.” longer am* the tears that begemmed her lashes; and Langdon, holding ber bauds •gainst his lips, said softly; “Dearest, you know that long after he deliberately planned to strand you. Pollock also backed Daniels to star you. I'm going to summon Daniels ' and make him explain their exact as sociation. and then I think—the end. will to in sight. Just be brave a little- , longer—and trust me." "Oh, I do—1 do,” she whispered; and when he leTt henrtip-fojlowed hkn to the door and. thrusting her slender bands between the bars, caught his and said In 4 voice that thrilled with sweetness: : — . “Philip, dear—I am hopeful-and I am brave—don't forget that—and please go home tonight-remembering i that I uas amillng when I said good- ™- bje." But Philip, burying bla fact "‘-y could not see t!ie b-mvo- ly sweet •mile because of tbe scalding’ team that burned bis eyelids, aa he honied down the echoing corridor. (To to continued.)