1 This is a true story. Much of it is on record in the Superior Court of California. If it contains bitter truths, remember that I only turn the pages of the past. 2 I cite you the case of Gabrielle from the files of this newspaper office, with the hope that you will help - rather than hinder - the upward strug- gle of such unfortunates. 3 Gabrielle, in the begin- ning, a child - trusting, believing - had committed the sin of loving too well. Ground in the mire, numb with heartache, we find her in New Orleans, - - deserted. 4 Clara - the "girl" next door. 5 "I hate to tell you, kid, but - - Howard went to Los Angeles to get married." 6 "They're all alike. He's coming back - or -" 7 "- - or he'd have taken - those." 8 "I'm going to Los Angeles." 9 In Los Angeles, she traced him to - - 10 "Howard - speak to me - - - -" 11 "Howard - forgive me - I love you - -" 12 Through the dead silence of interminable nights, a woman, repentant, prayed to the Almighty Judge for forgiveness. Helpless, alone, she awaited the third day of her trial - 13 Mrs. Beverly Fontaine - who has taken up social service because it helps her socially - sees a new opportunity for publicity in Gabrielle. 14 "Tell the court and jury how you first met Howard Blaine." 15 Home is any place where a mother smiles at children. Other places are just houses. In one of these lived Gabrielle. 16 "Where you goin'?" 17 "I was just going for a walk." 18 "She's goin' to meet that Blaine guy she's been seein' every night." 19 "Go ahead - maybe he's the marryin' kind an' I won't have to feed you any more." 20 "But don't you ever come back here, if it don't take." 21 Three words - I Love You - sometimes as beautiful and sacred as a prayer - sometimes a cowardly lie. 22 "- and we'll go to my place in New Orleans and be married." 23 "He took me to New Orleans -" 24 "Mr. Mack is sort of - in charge around here." 25 "Another? I'm sorry for her." 26 "I didn't know what to do - I loved him so." 27 Then years of bond- age - sorrowful - sordid - 28 "That is all -" 29 "You shot Howard Blaine because he was going to marry another woman - didn't you?" 30 "I had given him - my life - -" 31 "This court is not interested in your romance - answer my question." 32 "I loved him and I thought he cared. If he had a wife, I couldn't go on - don't you see?" 33 "When I saw him buying her wedding ring with the money I - -" 34 Days of torture - a hushed moment - and then - 35 "NOT GUILTY!" 36 "I don't want to go back!" 37 "Have you no friends, child?" 38 "- nor any money -" 39 "- even my rings, the lawyer took for his fee." 40 "That's what I want to do - wipe out the past, by service." 41 Terrance O'Day - whom Mrs. Fontaine calls "Freddy" on the theory that it annoys him. 42 "My dear, I've finally decided to take you home with me." 43 "... charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up ..." 1 Corinthians, 13 44 "I want you to look as interesting as you can -" 45 "- for your sake, of course." 46 "Don't be long, dear - some of the ladies actually gave up the matinee to see you." 47 "Ladies - this is Gabrielle - my poor little wounded bird - Fleur de Pav�, as the French say." 48 "I've been dying to talk to you alone - I just knew we would be drawn to each other." 49 "You see I understand so thoroughly - for I, too, have been pursued all my life!" 50 "My husband can't give me any information about these things - he's like a babe in the woods - - - he's a traveling man." 51 "Now tell me - is it true that all men - - -" 52 "- - - and do you poor dears have to - - - -" 53 "My dear, you can't leave now, - why, you're the guest of honor!" 54 "You were quite a sensation, my dear." 55 "I don't belong here - I want to do some useful work - earn my redemption." 56 "What you need, my dear, is rest - and this environment." 57 "But I want to become a nurse - please, please help me." 58 "A worthy ambition my child, and when I feel it's time, I'll arrange it all for you." 59 "Well - how do you like the museum by now?" 60 "These curtains must be kept closed. The sun fades the rugs." 61 "Well, Pansy, - it's like this. The Queen sent me to tell you she was havin' a coupla dames to tea." 62 "Dames - ?" 63 "- LADIES!!" 64 "You heard me, Violet! I said DAMES!" 65 "Mrs. Fontaine does not allow her books to be taken from this room." 66 "Now, Buttercup - you know that's the bunk - the Duchess don't even know she has a book." 67 "Don't mind old Hatchet Face - she don't mean to hurt your feelings - - much!" 68 "Any other little thing I can do for you?" 69 "Sure there's nothin' else?" 70 "Sure?" 71 The publicity value of being seen with her protege was gone - so Mrs. Fontaine sent Gabrielle riding alone. 72 And for the first time in twenty thousand miles, the Fontaine limousine headed toward Ford territory. 73 To Gabrielle a new manner of man lifted from the common clay, to stand like a defending Knight. 74 "Well, I guess you're through here! Madam's gone on one of her trips. Left this for you." 75 "You stayed longer than most of them - the bank robber only lasted a week." 76 "I'm drivin' the Queen of Sheba to Sacramento. Be gone a coupla months." 77 "Poor kid - life knocked her for a loop, but I like her a lot - an' I ain't braggin' about my own past." 78 The County Hospital - 79 "Aren't you that Gabrielle woman?" 80 "That notoriety-seeking old biddy knows there'd be trouble if I put you in training here!" 81 No references - - - - 82 A job - a chance - 83 "Isn't that the girl your husband defended for murder?" 84 "Is Fred back yet?" 85 "If he is, he doesn't want to have anything to do with you." 86 "The Matron you want isn't here any more." 87 Licked - 88 It is tradition that help comes whole-heartedly from the Sisterhood of Sorrow. Clara answered the call. 89 "I wonder if you know how soon I can get a train to New Orleans." 90 "Hey, - Orchid!" 91 "Have you seen Gabrielle?" 92 "She came here looking for you - but I sent her away." 93 "- - she's leaving on the three o'clock train for New Orleans." 94 "Do you know you drove that kid back to the streets with your two-bit philanthropy an' your society circus - -" 95 "You just happened to be lucky - you got a wedding ring." 96 "How dare you!" 97 "From now on, I won't need your services." 98 "I'll tell the world you won't! I'm going to find her." 99 "The next train for New Orleans leaves in an hour." 100 Three days of anguished travel - and Gabrielle faces her Gethsemane. 101 Freddy arrives - - 102 "You don't want to run away - I could be pretty nice to you." 103 "Looks like an accident - wanna stop?" 104 "Go ahead - haven't time!" 105 "I've been expecting her, but she isn't here yet." 106 Faces - - white - splotched with red - swimming in the fog of the nights - - but never the one he sought. 107 "GABRIELLE!" 108 While Gabrielle - 109 Blaring bands - marching men on city streets - transports slipping away - khaki columns on white French roads. America had entered the war. 110 "We must have more nurses - helpers - the Flu is blocking the wards." 111 "Please let me help - I'm strong now - I'd do anything!" 112 "Ten more for Ward Seven." 113 "Put her to work!" 114 "EXTRA! EXTRA! NEW ORLEANS MEN LEAVING FOR THE FRONT!" 115 "Hear that? I'll be going any minute now." 116 "Gabrielle, I love you - won't you marry - - -" 117 "Not now - - - perhaps when you come back - and I've earned my right to happiness." 118 "Don't you understand - it's because I love you." 119 "I'll be waiting!" 120 You have seen the temp- tations and struggles of this modern Magdalen, and though she won her redemp- tion and found love and happiness, - there are others - countless others - - 121 "- - and it is toward these, that we women must face our responsibility, if we would fulfill the duty of true womanhood." 122 Remember the death- less words of the Carpenter of Nazareth - - 123 "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."Home